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Chimney advice!

FISBEY

FISBEY

pfm Member
I have a chimney breast in my kitchen. I have had the front of the chimney breast rebuilt as the brickwork was sagging somewhat (it was supported with acrows during building work).

However there was a 3 brick height and width hole in the side of the chimney that was loosely filled with a single coarse of brick since I've been at the house. The builder has essentially wedged/lightly mortared this single coarse of bricks in and rendered over it. The chimney breast has since been plaster boarded.

At the time I asked that the hole in the side be bricked up completely (up to 3 bricks deep) the said and is still saying that the work is 'adequate' for the structure. He also advised against taking the plasterboard off as it would pull the render off and the chimney could collapse.

I have to admit to being concerned, I know the chimney side wall has been fine in nearly 20 years with loose bricks in the side, but can't help thinking it should be bricked up more robustly.

Any advice on how this may be done without the whole house collapsing!...

Many thanks,
 
Hard to be a structural engineer by wordy description from elsewhere.

You will have to get someone in to look at it properly, no matter how good, scary or comforting the advice is here. The cost of the survey will be small for the peace of mind. And will be small compared to any recommended work that could result.
 
If the only thing holding up your house is a sheet of plasterboard i'd be worried!

The side hole, whether oven or whatever, should have a vaulted top or lintel so be secure.
 
dweezil said:
If the only thing holding up your house is a sheet of plasterboard i'd be worried!

The side hole, whether oven or whatever, should have a vaulted top or lintel so be secure.
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This!

Can't help thinking there is something a bit fishy about the builders explanation but it's hard to say from afar and might be unfair.

I think you need an informed second opinion based on a proper inspection.
 
I think what the builder meant was that if I removed the plasterboard (which I'm tempted to do) it would very likely pull the render away and may dislodge the bricks behind, thus causing the chimney to collapse.

I do find it a bit odd as the bricks shouldn't get dislodged if they were mortared in sufficiently.

Hence why I'm tempted to remove the plasterboard, render and bricks then mortar in at least two bricks deep.

But I wouldn't want the chimney to collapse!
 
I wouldn't do it yourself -- chimneys are a bit of a specialist thing. Even bricking up a chimney can cause problems if not done with the right ventilation -- google "chimney damp" and you'll see what I mean.

I would get a proper chimney sweep company to look -- not just some bloke who's bought himself a brush but a real professional company. I can recommend one in the SE if that's any help.
 
Understandably you can't trust the builder.
The original 3 brick hole may have been a sweeping access, or a route for pipework to a back boiler ?.
I did a job a while back, the previous householder had taken out the whole chimney in the lounge. Made the room a bit bigger, it was still there in the room above, loft and on the roof. It had stood for several years, thankfully it was reasonably bonded to the party wall.
I put brickwork back in as the easiest option to make it safe.
How deep (far does it project into the room?) is the chimney ?
 
The chimney projects about 15 inches into the room and is about 45 inches wide.

The 3 brick hole was used for pipework to a back boiler.

The builder is coming back this week, I have expressed concerns and ideally would like the void fully bricked up.

The chimney has vents elsewhere and the pot, although currently open will have a ventilated cowl fitted.

Thanks for all your replies.
 
I do notice there appears to be a trend to have walls plaster boarded, part of me thinks that in some cases it could just be papering over the cracks?
 
FISBEY said:
I do notice there appears to be a trend to have walls plaster boarded, part of me thinks that in some cases it could just be papering over the cracks?
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Not at all if the building is sound. If removing plasterboard will destabilise a brick wall enough for it to be at risk of falling down then that wall is knackered and needs rebuilding. Any wall held up by plasterboard isn't actually held up at all, it's just falling down slowly. Get it fixed.

Oh, and adding PB to a wall is called dry lining. It can be with or without insulation and it's a great way to make a rough wall, especially a single skinned one, flat, sound dry and warm. As far as structure goes, however, it's about as strong as wallpaper.
 
stevec67 said:
Not at all if the building is sound. If removing plasterboard will destabilise a brick wall enough for it to be at risk of falling down then that wall is knackered and needs rebuilding. Any wall held up by plasterboard isn't actually held up at all, it's just falling down slowly. Get it fixed.

Oh, and adding PB to a wall is called dry lining. It can be with or without insulation and it's a great way to make a rough wall, especially a single skinned one, flat, sound dry and warm. As far as structure goes, however, it's about as strong as wallpaper.
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I'd be surprised if the plasterboard were holding up the wall. More likely it's been for and dabbed to the brickwork (plasterboard adhesive) which sticks very well. I can imagine the integrity of a less than perfect wall being compromised by hacking and levering off the plasterboard.

If that is the case it is papering over the cracks.
 
roman said:
This!

Can't help thinking there is something a bit fishy about the builders explanation but it's hard to say from afar and might be unfair.

I think you need an informed second opinion based on a proper inspection.
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I am not a builder, I am not a structural surveyor, but we had builders do a fine job on the house which involved amongst other things dealing with supporting a chimney. Suffice it to say a shed load of steel was incorporated into the build to support the chimney above the kitchen which we had extended... I would get a third party in to advise, preferably a structural surveyor for piece of mind. Maybe also ask your house insurers for advice...
 
roman said:
I'd be surprised if the plasterboard were holding up the wall. More likely it's been for and dabbed to the brickwork (plasterboard adhesive) which sticks very well. I can imagine the integrity of a less than perfect wall being compromised by hacking and levering off the plasterboard.
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Not by any builder who knew what he was doing, or any wall worthy of the name. A wall, especially a ground floor one, holds up tons of weight in bricks. If you think that you can shore up any wall that needs it with plasterboard you are sadly mistaken, and don't sign up to a civ eng degree anytime soon. If otoh a bit of pb is adequate then the cracks are non structural and so not worth talking about. PB is basically thick wallpaper. Treat it as such.
 
Surprise surprise the builder has just blown me out.....

I think I was asking too many questions (and expecting things to be done properly)…..

A relief he won't be coming back, but sad I've wasted money on a crap job :(

He's suggested getting a structural engineer in as he had shown pictures of my kitchen to a qualified builder and they suggested this....

Now I need to find a decent builder....
 
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