Does anyone know what this is?

[CombineHarvester]

OK, I i can hear you all thinking: "its a chimney, how stupid is this guy??"

But, my question is, can it be removed?

The Esse is coming out and I would like to remove this. I will probably still use the Chimney as an exit for the cooker extractor hood. I believe this was an original part of the house when it was built in '62 because it had a wood burning stove. there is a removable hatch on the front to allow the chimney to be swept. This part of the chimney is bricks and mortar construction, is it possible to remove it?

Thank in advance for any help

Scott

[JM]

CombineHarvester said:

This part of the chimney is bricks and mortar construction, is it possible to remove it?

What's above it?
Whats through the wall from it?

You would really need a suitable engineer to look at it I think, unless you are sure it's not partly structurel etc.

[CombineHarvester]

It continues into the upstairs bedroom and the the loft through the roof.

The is a wall behind it separating it from the hallway.

[JM]

Is the ceiling sagging round it/lower where it joins the ceiling? Or is it just the photot?

Looking at it again, I'm surprised that it does carry on all the way up, stone built chimneys usually start at the floor and go all the way up the gable. The bottom 2m or so of yours has been removed, what is now supporting the rest of it?

[CombineHarvester]

Hi JM.

No the ceiling is as straight as a die.

I'm let to believe that the house was built like this. there was a wood burning stove there originaly. I have chipped some of the plaster off the bottom as i thought maybe there might be a concrete slab going into to wall to support the bottom but I am sturggling to see anything, it all just looks like cement...

I guess I really need to get someone out to have a look at it.

Scott

[Mr GrimNasty]

It just looks like a small chimney/flue for an old boiler/burner. It could be made entirely of pre-cast sections that may be built into the wall structurally, or there may be slabs built into the wall supporting a brick chimney above (cantilevered), or other! You'll need to work out exactly what you've got, worth thinking about potential for asbestos linings/soot toxins too. An endoscopic look into the cavity wall might be a starting point - to see how it's built in/constructed without stripping it all back inside. Also ask neighbours with same house, they might have done a similar job already.

[Dogwatch]

If you do get a (competent) builder to remove it the back wall of the flue will probably be all that is left but this will have been impregnated with years of smoke, tar and all sorts of nasty smelly gunge which will be impossible to eradicate.

Some of the floor/ceiling joists for the room(s) above may also be relying on it for end support so will have to be extended.

[CombineHarvester]

Hmm its not looking hopefull really is it!

Scott

[dickymint]

CombineHarvester said:

Hmm its not looking hopefull really is it!

Scott

Nah. It will be an easy job even if some support is needed. The question is can you work out what is needed to DIY? Do you have any builder mates to just advise? Maybe a neighbour has or had similar.

Don't give up it looks awful as it is.

Edited to say: Or maybe there is enough height to incorporate/disguise it with the cooker hood?

Edited by dickymint on Thursday 18th August 10:27