Brick chimney - does it need to come down?

[gemma2b]

My neighbours and I have had issues with a gutter and now had a roofer come and look at it. Without going into the whole thing in detail, he’s said this chimney has completely shot brickwork and says it needs to be taken down or it might fall down. Any brickwork experts here with an opinion on this? We’d be really grateful for your thoughts.

 

[opps]

I am not a brickie, but I cannot see why it needs to be removed. The bricks look sound. It may benefit from patch pointing and some kind of flauncing over the capping stones though.

 

[gemma2b]

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Jurassicspark]

Without going into the whole thing in detail, he’s said this chimney has completely shot brickwork and says it needs to be taken down or it might fall down.

And what made him suggest that?

 

[DAZB]

Looks like he may be after an easy job as it looks largely sound to me. Odd spots of pointing need doing and the leadwork needs dressing better but overall absolutely no reason to demolish it. You may find it a planning issue anyway dependant on the area as you are not allowed to just remove certain features if, for example, you live in a Conservation Area etc...

 

[gemma2b]

Thanks, yes it’s a conservation area so can’t be done without permission anyway and I suspect they would require it to be reconstructed rather than removed. Glad to see I’m not the only one to find it surprising.