My son has been persuaded by his future in-laws to remove the chimney breast.  Future FIL and also BIL have removed them in similar houses on the same ('50's) development with allegedly no problems.  I have urged caution but think he will go ahead. NB: Neither of these folk are builders by trade or training.

His future FIL removed one up to just above first floor ceiling level and used a a timber lintel(?) under the remaining chimney [that still carried on through the roof].  He claimed that many years after there had been no movement of the remaining bit of chimney as he was able to move the wedges he had put in place between bricks and the timber.

It worries the hell out of me and I have done a bit of DIY wall removal in the past but was always wary of chimneys.

Any advice really welcome.  Thankfully he lives about 10 miles away so I will not be hit, unless visiting, should it fall ???

[quote author=big_all  link=1138615324/0#1 date=1138616332]

if it was wedges tight what is the wooden beam resting on!!!!! [/quote]
The ceiling joists!

I agree that it would be better if it was to be corbelled or gallows bracketed but from how his future father in law has suggested it will be cut back at right angles to the wall.

Have to agree with you Jerry but he did not listen.  His future brother in law turned up and before you could say Gerry Builder the chimney breast between floor and ceiling of bedroom was gone ???

Think I will wear a hard hat when I next visit.  Oh and my partner has asked if I mind her increasing the insurance policy she has on me  Insurance policy?  What blasted policy

Is this in a terrace or semi? It might be fine until the neighbours do the same. Then you have several tons of brick perched on a few floor joists of dubious vintage.

I guess he's too young to have seen that episode of "Some mothers do 'av 'em" where Frank moves house.

PS Can we have a scared or horrified smiley please?

Thanks for that CW - I was merely very worried before but now need a change of underpants and fast

BTW my son is bigger and fitter than me and old enough to make his own mistakes - I just wish he would listen to me not his future in-laws.  He must get it from my late MIL his maternal Grandmother

[quote author=JerryD  link=1138615324/0#9 date=1138734213]Print this topic and give it to him, it might just make him think about what he's doing.

[/quote]Will do Jerry.  The most embarassing thing is that he is turning out just like my current neighbour who believes that surveyors, planning rules and building control do not refer to him

[quote author=CWatters  link=1138615324/0#11 date=1138815936]

"Chimney breast recently removed. We were unable to asertain if this alteration was carried out in accordance with the Building Regulations. The seller was unable to provide details of Building Control Approval. We do not accept liability for........"


[/quote]


.................sentence stops as chimney falls on surveyor