Hi,

Should I be worried about this chimney breast ?

http://www.snowdon.org/pic1.JPG

Situation is - there used to be a gas fire in this chimney breast, fed from a bottle outside.

I took the gas fire out (occupied the space filled by the bench) and was surprised that there was no lintel.  Had a look up the chimney and could see an old arch.  

Now I've stipped the plaster away to find that there is a large old fireplace - I presume that it held a range at some point.  which has been blocked up in two phases.  Some of the blocking up is right into the chimney but the bit under the arch is single skin, unsupported (other than by that bit of timber I've just put in) and as you can see the bricks at the top just lift out.

How do I decide if the arch is sound and safe ?  
It looks it.
What I want to do is take out the single skin of bricks - wont be difficult- build up the blue bit of brick up to the arch, and stick a wood burning stove in the arched alcove - which seems original.  

Oh, and I'm going to need a plasterer - anyone in Ripon ?

thanks

MArk

The arch looks tatty but appears structurally ok from what I can see but only you can tell if the bricks are held solid in the arch.

As Wolf says, a metal bar is often found supporting this type of arch but not always.  I would like to see some kind of metal support under the arch, it can't ever collapse then.

Getting a flat metal bar made for this shouldn't cost more than £30 or so if you know where to go.  You'll need to make a template (to get the shape) to take to the steel suppliers though. (small sheet of hardboard would do).

Catnic?

http://www.catnic.com/index.asp

and if anything like my local smitthy, a bloody big lump 'ammer!   i love visiting him, especially on a cold day!!!!! ummmm!! nice and warm!!!!!