Is this shallow arch acceptable in chimney breast

[Sprocker]

Hi all
In the process of opening up to the builders opening on my 1930s house and I cant find a lintel just a shallow arch on the chimney breast.. there's no sign of movement at all. Do you think the current arch is acceptable considering its held the chimney up so far with no issues
Thanks in advance

 

[bobasd]

the current arch is very acceptable.
you've already opened up to the builders opening except for the course of bricks below the arch?
that course might be supported by some kind of metal "lintel"?

what's your purpose in opening up and removing plaster?

 

[Sprocker]

the current arch is very acceptable.
you've already opened up to the builders opening except for the course of bricks below the arch?
that course might be supported by some kind of metal "lintel"?

what's your purpose in opening up and removing plaster?

Thanks, there isnt a lintel on the soldier course or bricks under the arch and the reason I haven't removed them as I didntwant to disrupt the arch in anyway, so do you think I wont need to add a lintel? And the arch is ok? was just abit concerned at it's not really much of an arch

The reason the plaster Is off as the chimney breast is suffering from damp from hydroscopic salts to it all needs treating etc
Thanks

 

[bobasd]

there's more clarity on my monitor now (pics seem to take time to "mature") and i can see that the soldier course end bricks have been wedged in to create a poor man's arch, so to speak - a flat arch.
for insurance, what you can do is clean out the beds and perps on the arch, & point up before moving the soldier course.
should then be no problems after removing the soldiers.
but its your c/breast and your call - if no particular reason for moving the soldiers then leave them alone.

if you want to discuss hygroscopic & deliquescent problems then perhaps start a new thread

 

[Sprocker]

there's more clarity on my monitor now (pics seem to take time to "mature") and i can see that the soldier course end bricks have been wedged in to create a poor man's arch, so to speak - a flat arch.
for insurance, what you can do is clean out the beds and perps on the arch, & point up before moving the soldier course.
should then be no problems after removing the soldiers.
but its your c/breast and your call - if no particular reason for moving the soldiers then leave them alone.

if you want to discuss hygroscopic & deliquescent problems then perhaps start a new thread

That's a great help
Thanks alot!!

 

[foxhole]

If you have damp in chimney then roof and stack needs checking for leaks.