Corner flue removal

[TonyM]

Hi,

I am wondering if it would be safe to remove a flue chimney for an old boiler (now removed) that is running up through a corner of a 1910 terraced house. The chimney extends out about one brick into the property from each of the two walls and is not supported right down to the ground as presumably the boiler was under it at one point.

I have removed one brick to have a look at the construction and the flue gap also extends into the external back wall and into the party wall by one brick. My concern is that if removed the chimney on the roof will only be wholly supported by a small area of brickwork in the loft and the chimney on the roof is shared by my neighbour. However, unlike a normal fireplace chimney only one corner will in fact be removed. A builder came round and said he would be happy to remove it and that de didn't think that it would need council approval but I am a bit dubious. Any advice on whether this is advisable or not or whether I need to get a surveyor involved?

I have read all sorts of horror stories but they only seem to relate to full fireplace chimneys.

Cheers,

Tony

 

[middi]

I am glad that you are alarmed about it, part or whole removals of chimney stacks is simple to do if you do not consider the stress you induce in the wall structure itself.

From my personal point of view I do not see why people want to remove chimneys from period property, nevertheless, if you want to remove yours I suggest you get expert advise from a surveyor.
He/she will be able to advise on induced stresses implications and the correct remedy for this.

Being a party wall your neighbours should be informed as a matter of courtesy, unless you do it whilst they are on holiday.

Ring you local planning office, they will sdvise you if you need to apply for permission in your particular situation.

Also if and when you sell you may have to justify any structural work and changes you have made to the property.

There is no difficulty in actually doing the work.

 

[Mark]

"Being a party wall your neighbours should be informed as a matter of courtesy"

I thought that it was an obligation under the party wall act ? I also thought that if you want to twiddle with a party wall the other party has the right to have you pay for a structural engineer to OK things.

google for the Pyramus & Thisbe club (spelling could be all over - its a long time since O level english)

edit - found it here
http://www.partywalls.org.uk/

 

[TonyM]

Thank you both for your advice. Sounds like hassle and ££s of fees to sort out. I guess I will leave it as it is, I was hoping to gain a bit of space in the bathroom by pushing the bath right up against the wall but I think I will make a little cabinet for cleaning stuff etc and butt the bath up against that instead.