Reducing chimney breast - is it possible?

[justanotherguy]

I've taken down my lathe and plaster ceilings (top floor), and can see 2x4 joists at 30cm centres, spanning 3.8 metres from party brick wall to outer brick wall.

All but two of these joists rest on a wall plate, tied in to the wall by steel brackets.

The remaining two rest on the chimney breast - this is possible because the chimney breast reduces from 50cm in the room, immediately down to half. The two joists rest on that front half, while the much reduced chimney breast leads up the party wall in the loft, up to the chimney stack.

Question is, can I safely remove the front of the chimney stack, and support the two joists much as I would a loft hatch? I can't see that the front of the chimney would be supporting anything, and it takes up a lot of space. No idea why it's that big anyway.

Of course, the same chimney serves the room below, but I think the hollow/flue for that will be in the back half already, as it leads up to join the part in the loft.

Thanks

Marcos

 

[justanotherguy]

Sorry to bump this one, any ideas?

Thanks

 

[justanotherguy]

Just wondering if anyone could take a look at this one. Please? Pretty please?

 

[big-all]

ok i very much doubt it the front face is the supporting layer for the the whole stack
the stack will be that deep for a reason eg the fire place is deeper than the stack above
you also get the flues from downstairs passing to the side