chimney & fireplaces

[sarahdharrison]

We have just had the concrete render removed from the side wall of our 1890's house. A lime render is going to replace it. When the builders starting removing the render from the chimney they discovered a large hole i.e. no bricks behind the render!! and a significant amount of the remaining bricks have literally turned to mush. it appears rain has been leaking behind render - probably for past 20 years, since previous owners had the concrete applied to wall!
anyway the upshot is the entire chimney stack needs rebuilding, do anyone know if we could we claim on our house insurance for this cost?

Whilst we are rebuilding chimney stack, we thought we might as well remove gas fire in lounge & flue, open chimney up and put back a traditional victorian fireplace. where can i find more info on what fireplaces would be inkeeping with my house?

Thanks, Sarah

 

[Nemesis]

This is a very sad example of exactly why cement shouldn't be used to render (and point) a period building. Some pics would be useful to warn others!

Rebuilding the entire stack sounds rather drastic though - are you sure it can't be repaired? That would be sound conservation, and probably nowhere near as expensive. Builders do tend to take the most destructive option at times, when some conservative repair may be all that is required.


As for insurance - it's worth a phone call, but I think it will be deemed 'wear and tear'.

Fireplaces - the Victorian Society publishes books and pamphlets, this one may be of use:

http://www.victorian-society.org.uk/carevichouse.html


3. Fireplaces
A brief guide to the restoration and maintenance of Victorian and Edwardian fireplaces
Sections on History, The Chimneypiece, Fireplace Accessories, Restoration, Buying Firegrates and Chimneypieces, Maintenance and Repair of Flues and Chimneys, Cleaning Marble Chimneypieces, Paint Finishes for Chimneypieces, Cleaning and Finishing Metal, Security.
ISBN 0 901657 21 1 (2nd edition, 1997). Booklet sponsored by Stovax of Exeter.

Here's some advice:
http://www.victorian-society.org.uk/adv8.html

 

[Lime]

If this happened to me I would get the work done without fuss.
Sometimes insurance and mortgage companies can get "frightened" by serious building work requirements, send out loss adjusters/surveyors and make demands you may not consider reasonable nor affordable.