Opening up chimney breast to house dressing table

[duffdude66]

Hi all

I am considering opening up the chimney breast in a first floor bedroom in a building that has 3 floors plus a basement. The chimney breast is on an internal wall within the property (not a party wall).

I am going to get a local builder to come in and do the work however having heard of so many cowboy jobs in the past I want to make sure the job is done to a good standard and I am looking for some advice off the kind people on this forum.

The current opening looks like this:

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• duffdude66
• 15 Nov 2014
• 2

I would like the opening to be about 6 feet high and a couple of inches wider. Obviously a new lintel is going to be required at the front of the chimney breast to support the load above (in red on pic).

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• duffdude66
• 15 Nov 2014
• 2

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• duffdude66
• 15 Nov 2014
• 2

My concern is the "gather" on the flue will also have to be removed. I would like to know if:

I remove the gather could this damage the structure of the building even if supports are used?
If it could be supported without it being damaged what is the best way to do it?
Will I have to get the building inspector out to sign this off? Will I need to employ a structural engineer?

If I do go ahead with it and it went well I am considering doing the same to the bedroom directly above it on the top floor.

Thanks for all your help in advance

 

[Norcon]

If you construct a heavy dressing table out off strong oak with traditional m&t joints say legs 4" x 4" and a 2" top then it will support the chimney.

So your dressing table will have dual purpose.
To make yourself look pretty and support the immense weight of the chimney.

When you want the rest of the chimney taking down then just set fire to the dressing table.
Mebbe best vacate the premises.
Fred Dibnah would be proud of you.

 

[ree]

You are showing the first floor fire opening in a chimney breast - you apparently have another fire opening in the room above in the same chimney breast?

Below there is the possibility of two fire openings, one in the basement and one on the ground floor?

Perhaps you could post a pic of a sketch showing the chimney breast and flues for all four fire openings - if indeed there are four.

Its usual that before doing any c/breast flue work to smoke test and sweep all flues in that chimney breast.

 

[sbs]

Right my first suggestion is to get the full chimney out in all rooms if its a option, my next will be to remove from floor to ceiling and support with a custom metal frame spanning inbetween the joists, it must be possible then board and plaster the ceiling, my next suggestion is to leave the sides (inglenook look) and put a little higher up and patch in cement to support it all, final suggestion leave well alone and put the table somewhere else