Very deep chase into a load bearing wall

[miri5]

I'm currently having some plumbing work done in my kitchen. I have agreed with the plumber that they would chase the pipes only about 3.5 cm into a wall. I came in today to a massive chase where the bricks have been taken out. The chase is at least 50-60% of the wall thickness. It is an external, load bearing wall. There is another storey above this room.
I am extremely worried, trying to get the builder come over asap to put the bricks back in - but they can only do it next week. Asked the plumber to remove the pipes too before the wall is fixed and not chase anywhere any more.
Could there be any immediate risk to the structure of the building or something I can do in the meantime to minimize this risk?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It appears to be a double thickness brick wall, and your plumber has cut just part of the wall length out. If that is true, then the situation doesn't seem that desperate....

You could cut some stout timbers, to match the vertical gap between the bricks, and a tight fit, then tap them into place as temporary supports.

 

[miri5]

Many thanks for your response Harry, you've put my mind to ease a bit. The total wall thickness is about 24 cm (2 layers of brick - one inside and one outside) and the chase is about 13 cm.
I'll be putting the timber supports in tomorrow morning. I really hope there will be no movement etc until this is properly fixed.

 

[noseall]

I'm currently having some plumbing work done in my kitchen. I have agreed with the plumber that they would chase the pipes only about 3.5 cm into a wall. I came in today to a massive chase where the bricks have been taken out. The chase is at least 50-60% of the wall thickness. It is an external, load bearing wall. There is another storey above this room.
I am extremely worried, trying to get the builder come over asap to put the bricks back in - but they can only do it next week. Asked the plumber to remove the pipes too before the wall is fixed and not chase anywhere any more.
Could there be any immediate risk to the structure of the building or something I can do in the meantime to minimize this risk?

That masonry needs rebuilding, but with a slightly narrower brick or block, as to allow for the pipework. That 'plumbing' work is a joke.

 

[noseall]

It appears to be a double thickness brick wall, and your plumber has cut just part of the wall length out. If that is true, then the situation doesn't seem that desperate....

You could cut some stout timbers, to match the vertical gap between the bricks, and a tight fit, then tap them into place as temporary supports.

That's great - until some poor sod decides to chase something into the opposite side.

 

[stuart45]

There are Building regs for the depth of a wall chase. For horizontal runs it's 1/6th of the walls thickness.

 

[miri5]

There are Building regs for the depth of a wall chase. For horizontal runs it's 1/6th of the walls thickness.

Exactly that's why I'm extremely concerned that this chase has weakened the structure of the wall and may have serious impact on the building. It will take a few days for the builders to come in to rebuild it so I'm just hoping the temporary props will be sufficient in the meantime.

 

[robinbanks]

Any of those pipes due to be carrying hot water?

 

[miri5]

Any of those pipes due to be carrying hot water?

It looks like it, is this a concern?

 

[tony1851]

As it looks horizontal and unless my ageing eyes are deceiving me, that's not a chase, its a partial demolition.