Extending aga plinth

[jon_bail]

I want to move an Aga 250 mm forwards out of the fire place. I have moved the Aga out, but now need to extend the purpose built plinth that appears to be fixed in position.

I am not sure of the material of the base, but thought that some form of self leveling repair compound poured into a mould that extends the existing plinth could be worth a try.

Any ideas on the type of self levelig cmpound to use?

All advice much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Flyfisher]

Aga seems to recommend cast concrete. Understandable considering the thing weighs around half a ton.
http://www.aga-web.co.uk/agatech/inst2f.htm

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Cast concrete is best, the Aga must be absolutely level for even distribution of heat ( so they say)!

How on earth did you move it out?!

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick here. You've moved the AGA 250mm forwards, and now you want to extend the plinth under it? So now the AGA is overhanging the existing plinth by 250mm? Can't help thinking that it would have been easier to sort the plinth first, then move the AGA onto it.

Concrete is the obvious solution, presuming you're working onto a solid substrate. Levelling compound is not really designed for this sort of structural job. How thick is the plinth? What is the original plinth made from?

 

[jon_bail]

For clarity, Aga has been moved out 2 metres to completely expose existing plinth so that it can be extended and then Aga replaced.

Not sure of material for existing plinth but it is hard, level and approximately 50mm thick. I think you can buy these separately, but was trying to avoid smashing up the existing and then replacing with a new plinth.

I do not think that self leveling flooring compound will be any good because it is simply not hard enough, is dificult to level completely and as stated the plinth needs to be flat. I was therefore considering some form of epoxy or polyester based system.

Any thoughts?

PS Provided move of Aga goes well, I'll post separately with the technique.

 

[skier-hughes]

When we moved our Rayburn the plinth came up in one nice piece with a little bit of gentle persuasion.
Ours was concrete.

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

Concrete is the way to go - no need for anything more "technical". You could use bog-standard paving slab cut to size and bedded on a strong mortar, or cast an extension to the existing slab in-situ using a fairly strong mix with small aggregate. So long as the mix is well compacted there should be no strength problem, and if you make the formwork to the height of the existing slab then levelling off will be easy and accurate.

 

[Penners]

I do not think that self leveling flooring compound will be any good because it is simply not hard enough, is dificult to level completely and as stated the plinth needs to be flat. I was therefore considering some form of epoxy or polyester based system.

Any thoughts?

I certainly don't think levelling compound would have the structural strength for a job like this. But why can't you use concrete? Build some shuttering around the extended area that you want to build up, check that the top edges of the shuttering are dead level (with a spirit level) and then fill with concrete. Strike the top off with a board across the edges of the shuttering.

Be very conscientious about your tamping, to ensure that you exclude all air bubbles.

One additional thought - just to make sure that the new bit of concrete holds firmly on to the old, I would drive a dozen or so hefty frame fixing screws into the edge of the old, leaving the heads sticking out an inch or two.

 

[Penners]

Apologies for the duplication Andrew's advice. I was typing while he was posting!

 

[chuckey]

You have got some solid base, i..e. a hearthstone to lay your new concrete plinth on? I would poke about under the stove and find out where the "legs" or bearing surfaces are. If they are set back, then it could be to your advantage to also set back the front edge of the plinth, still allowing say 1/2" in front of the "legs". This way the front edge of the plinth will not be visible unless one was on ones hands and knees. So finishing the front edge off will not be a killer.
Frank

 

[jon_bail]

Just taken skier-hughes advice and knocked away a couple of the quarry tiles aound the sides of the plinth. Hey presto and as stated by Skier, with a little persuasion the plinth came up as one!

I have now removed the tiles where the plinth will go and it is all on a hearth stone so should be no problem resiting the plinth.

Thanks for all of the help and advice; I can now move forward with increasing confidence that an Aga can be moved.

 

[Moo]

You still haven't answered Jocelyn's question-

How on earth did you move it out?

 

[skier-hughes]

I picked ours up and carried it, with the help of a couple of strong men and taking everything off that was removable.

 

[Penners]

Carrying an Aga naked sounds uncomfortable.

 

[skier-hughes]

Not with those nice rounded polished..........................

 

[Penners]

I'm getting worried about you, Graham.

 

[Nemesis]

Hs he or hasn't he now lost his marbles?
I think we should be told...

 

[middi]

Sounds like all hot stuff to me :wink:

 

[Penners]

Didn't the ancient Greeks include Naked Aga Shifting as one of the Olympic sports?

 

[Nemesis]

Followed by Throwing the Hotplate?



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