Opening chimney for range master
- Thread starter SandTuft
- Start date
Sorry didn't see your second post.
For pure DIY I wouldn't recommend removing any of the outer edge 9" brick walls that form the original builder's/structural opening. Which leaves you with an opening of around 870mm.
If you can lay bricks/blocks then you could build new walls to form a wider builder's opening, then the new lintels can support the existing chimney above.
No trouble, thanks for that insight.
Dammit, so close to the 900mm model, yet so far. Don’t think they do a Rangemaster under 900mm, desperate to use that space for something useful and can’t really afford to take it out altogether.
Never laid bricks in my life, I’m pretty handy at most things and a quick learner but perhaps this is not the time or place to test that out! Might be time for a brickie..
Thanks
Dammit, so close to the 900mm model, yet so far. Don’t think they do a Rangemaster under 900mm, desperate to use that space for something useful and can’t really afford to take it out altogether.
Never laid bricks in my life, I’m pretty handy at most things and a quick learner but perhaps this is not the time or place to test that out! Might be time for a brickie..
Thanks
This.
But I wonder if you could rebuild the piers in 150mm brick or blockwork on the existing footings? Given that you will be replacing the arch lintel with a flat one I presume they no longer need to resist any pushing out forces.
Don't be afraid of laying some bricks; it's not difficult - just difficult to do it quickly and neatly. Propping will just need a pair of acrows/strongboys.
Once the new lintel is in the brickwork above will be stable and you'll just need to re-bed/replace the loose and cracked bricks.
Better to be concerned, than suffer collapse due to poor and risky advice.
Op, for what you're trying to achieve, most of that chimney will need removal.
As others said, acros and strongboys needed at NEW lintel heights, install the lintel, then remove everything below it.
But that, as others said, won't give you enough opening.
So, other solution is (as long as you have a good supporting base at floor level) to build 2 walls either side of the chimney breast and then install the lintel so to have a larger opening.
These new walls will need to be tied in with what's above, either with staggered brickwork as they used to do in the good old days, or with steel.
For what your target is, frankly I don't think it's a diy job.
However, if you're concerned about that crack and just want to make it safe, you can do it yourself (if you're handy enough with brickwork).
As others said, acros and strongboys needed at NEW lintel heights, install the lintel, then remove everything below it.
But that, as others said, won't give you enough opening.
So, other solution is (as long as you have a good supporting base at floor level) to build 2 walls either side of the chimney breast and then install the lintel so to have a larger opening.
These new walls will need to be tied in with what's above, either with staggered brickwork as they used to do in the good old days, or with steel.
For what your target is, frankly I don't think it's a diy job.
However, if you're concerned about that crack and just want to make it safe, you can do it yourself (if you're handy enough with brickwork).
I already did that, in #10. Besides which, my name is not and never has been 'Poster #22.
However....
The chimney face is showing evidence of it spreading horizontally down the centre. The brickwork arch is entirely dependent on the chimney not spreading, to avoid collapse of the arch. The OP has already indicated the arch masonry is able to move. At present, the arch is gaining much of it's support to prevent the spread, from masonry added below it, plus 2x2 timbers supporting the additional masonry.
Someone in the past, obviously noted the problem of the spread/arch collapsing and decided to provide it with the essential support.
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