[bjarvis2785]

Hi all,

In a quest for a better room layout i am considering having the chimney breast removed from our lounge.
The house is a 3 bed semi - 1930's i believe.

The chimney breast sticks out approx 18" in the lounge but, directly above it, upstairs in the bedroom it only sticks out around 6" so it appears to be like the below:

| |
| |
| | bedroom
|_|__________
| |
| | lounge
| |
|___|__________


hopefully my artwork makes sense

There is no fireplace in the bedroom, and don't think there ever has been as there is no evidence of a hearth in there.

So, where would i go from here?
I'm guessing that with it being a shared wall (with my neighbour) this may make things difficult?

With the stack not going directly up through into the bedroom (as per drawing above) it seems like it's not directly supporting much of the load?
I know it's always difficult without actually seeing the thing, but just wondered if anybody had come across this type of thing before?

[cram]

I'd get a pro in to have a look if I were you.

[peace1]

hi mate 1st things 1st not sure if u already know but ull need to contact council, building and construction and give them 48hour notice without this u wont be able to carry out ur work. they will charge u a fee of about £110 which u will have to pay. and fill out a appliction form.

Now im not sure if u planning to do it urself but i removed my chimney a month ago my self never did 1 b4.
my chimney was like u have in ur plan there.
now it is best to get some1 in to look at it for u like cram mentioned b4. but just to run through afew things with u that u wil need to do or the building and construction chap will not pass it. and believe me they do come out and look at it especially if ur not a builder
they came out 3 times to look at my job

1. u will have to contact council, building and construction

2. once u have taken out chimney u will need to put a Steel Girder in place this is 1 if ur not sure what it is http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_6...47057Lr2Oz.jpg mine cost £100 i used a 13ft by 8 inch.
thats if ur not going to take the above chimney out so that it can support all the weight above
P.S the Steel Girders are very heavy so u will need 2 to 3 people to lift and put it into place.

3. u will need to get a steel plate made and bolted onto the wall were the chimney volt is. mine cost £25 in total.

4. u will need to use the fire proof plaster boards (Red Plaster Boards) around the Steel Girder to protect it. about £6 a board most ull need is 2.

5. u will need 2 x reinforced concrete blocks which have steel rods in em these will go under were the steel girder will sit on both sides of the wall. cost around £15

A few Tips when taking out the chimney DO NOT USE A SLEDGE HAMMER the reason is u may damage ur neighbours wall. best thing to use is a Club Hammer like this
Forge Steel Fibreglass Handle Club Hammer 4lb - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys a

and a wide chisel some thing like this
Sumo 2¾" x 8½" Masonry Bolster with Guard - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

U will most likey come across bricks that are half sticking out of the wall and the other half in the main wall all u need to do is chisel it off, always chisel so that the impact is down and not into the wall . also remember that some walls in the old buildings are just single walls so if u for example took out a full brick u would be looking into ur neighbours house lolol
but most i do know are doulble walls so u have a wall on ur side and ur neighbours will have one on theres hope that makes sense

For me im really glad i removed my chimney it was well worth it although its very very messy just remember to close off ur door when u start i used duct tape around th door.

I hope some of this info helps u in some way or the other and if u need any other info ill be glad to help

[bjarvis2785]

thats what i was after, excellent reply. thanks fella!

i'll be getting somebody in to do it, it was more a thing of what i'd need to do (like the paperwork for the council etc that you mentioned).

Will get somebody in to have a look and hopefully it won't be too much bother