Preparing for storm damage. See All News. Company Number: VAT Number: What you need to know before you remove your chimney. It is vital that you treat your neighbours adjoined chimney with care. If it is left damaged, it could result in carbon monoxide leaks. Removal of brickwork could also result in compromised sound insulation, so patching it back up properly is important to keep the peace — in many ways! As we have already mentioned, knocking out a chimney breast is a job for experts only.
Before you start work on removing your chimney breast, you will likely have to submit your plans for approval by your local building control authority. Here, you will need the help of a structural engineer to determine how the chimney breast should be removed in the safest way possible.
The steps followed here will depend on your particular property, how much of the chimney you are removing and the findings of your structural engineer. There are two main ways this could be done, which are:. Which one is used for your chimney removal will depend on a number of factors, such as how thick your walls are, the size of your chimney breast and the condition of your brickwork. While gallows brackets have been used for many years, many builders and structural engineers now prefer to use RSJ beams.
Of course, the total cost of chimney removal will depend on the complexity of the job and how much of the chimney you want to remove. There are a number of new options available to you once your chimney breast is gone, such as…. Once you have removed your chimney breast, you can still have a gas fire if you install a balanced flue gas fire.
Balanced flue gas fires are also highly efficient and look great, while still making the most of the extra space you have created. Featured videos. Removing a chimney without supporting it properly!
Useful guidance. Do I need building regulations approval for my existing roof? Read article. Do I need building regulations approval for my new roof? What do I do before I start building work? Tell me about the building regulations Read article. Did you find what you're looking for? If not, ask Anna! You should keep in mind at all times that chimney removal is a lengthy, difficult process which can potentially lead to serious structural concerns.
It is best to have several people working on the project at once, and having experts on-hand may significantly reduce the risk of complications. If you cannot afford a contractor to do the job, you may wish to hire a consultant for professional advice as needed. All of these are valid reasons, although some require additional considerations, such as whether a full removal will be necessary or if the removal will cost more than simply repairing or maintaining the chimney.
Pollution ordinances are more common in the UK than the US, but often revolve around the type of fuel being burnt, as well as the amount and quality of emissions being produced. To a much smaller degree, a chimney which is still in use may also have some minor impact on your efforts to gain LEED certification on a home renovation.
This is almost invariably tied to emissions and heating issues. Sometimes sealing the flu or changing the type of fuel you use will remedy this problem without the need for a costly removal. Simply having a chimney will not affect your ability to pursue a LEED certification rating. Whether you do the project yourself or hire a contractor, be warned that removing a chimney is time-consuming work, especially traditional brick ones.
A brick chimney must be carefully disassembled one brick at a time to avoid structural damage. This not only equates to a long involvement on your part, but may significantly impact your budget when hiring help. Removing a chimney is a full-blown project, as the visible stack is only one small portion of a much larger structure. You must plan every step of the project before you begin to avoid setbacks and possible fines.
You will need to speak to a lot of experts before beginning your project. Masonry experts can tell you if the chimney can be salvaged and simply sealed off or repaired for less cost than removal. Structural experts will need to be contacted to explain any potential concerns in the event you are removing the breast from one or more floors. Your local code enforcement office will be able to tell you what documents or permits will be necessary for the project.
Finally, consulting with a contractor should be accompanied by checking their reputation and qualifications prior to hiring.
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