Does this look ok for chimney breast support

[StayCalm]

Hi,

We are 4 weeks into our renovation and one of the renovation was to remove chimney breast from ground floor only.

Builder seems to have used wooden batten as support to the breast above. Not sure if this is good but my builder insists this is enough

Can someone please confirm if this looks ok!

Appreciate your help

 

[Mottie]

I can’t say with any certainty as I’m not in the building trade but that looks like a chimney just for a central heating boiler? If so, we had one of those in our house and I removed the bottom section of it….and left it at that. No support, the bricks were tied in and it’s just hung there for 30 years. So far! Thus is the upstairs landing.

 

[tony1851]

The problem with chimney supports is that practice and theory collide.
Due to the corbelling-effect of brickwork, remaining chimneys in lofts or at first floor can stay stable indefinitely - that's the 'practice' part.

The 'theory' part is that what's left of the chimney needs to be supported, and the usual method is either gallows brackets (if in the loft) or a beam spanning across the room, which in many cases is overkill.

There is a third option of supporting it within the thickness of the floor with a short beam spanning between the timber trimmers alongside the chimney.
Your builder seems to have attempted somethlng on those lines, though it doesn't look particularly effective in this instance.. Problem is, if you sell the house, the buyer's solictor will ask for a Building Regs certificate for that work, and its unlikely an inspector would give you a certificate for what your builder's done.
But left alone, it will probably still be there in 100 years; its a case of proving it....

 

[stuart45]

Removing a chimney breast is notifiable work to Building Control, so your builder should have informed you of that. I can't see a Building Inspector passing that.
Back in the 70's it was really common on conversion jobs to take out the chimney breasts. Loads of them were left hanging, relying on any tie ins.
However, a few of them did fail and collapse, so in 1984, as part of a Building Act the removal became part of the regs.
One of the main issues apart from the possible failure, is when you come to sell the property.
It's up to you if you leave it as it is. As Tony said, steel beams are usually overkill, although the failure is quite rare, the consequences can be really serious.

 

[StayCalm]

thanks Tony and Stuart. I will ask the builder to reconstruct the chimney back as it’s not worth the hassle for the space we gain.

They had not advised on building regs and also don’t look competent at it which doesnt give us peace of mind

 

[StayCalm]

Update: we are going to remove the chimney breast on all floors and also the stack

 

[cdbe]

I think it will be fine, but I would get some strong sellotape and wrap it round the beam connection to give it a bit of extra strength. Then use the rest of the sellotape to bind your "builder's" hands and feet and throw him in the nearest reservoir.