Is it a wise move to

[brenda]

remove a chimney stack, which is unused from the roof of a house? Am asking this question for yet another elderly neighbour. The chimney is connected to a room in the property in which there is no fire or fireplace..These were taken out years ago.The stack is well pointed, and the roof of the property is in good repair.
It is the fact that it is unused which seems to worry my neighbour, any advice most welcome . Thank you.Brenda.

[The Builder]

Purely a matter of choice, Brenda. No technical argument either way.
I would be inclined to leave it until the day comes when it needs re-pointing or attention to the leadwork. Rather than spend money on it, that would be the time to take it down and slate over the opening. Very simple job. :o)

[brenda]

Thank you builder ,will tell her all you have said.She doesn't have pots of money , so will suggest that as all is OK with the stack , she focuses on keeping warm , eating well and enjoying Christmas with her family.Think she will be relieved to be honest--so thanks again.Brenda.

[Old_Geezer]

Is it a difficult job ?

I ask because I have blocked up fireplace in the main bedroom that is taking up valuable space. Although the fireplace downstairs has a gas fire I rarely use and so that would have to stay. But maybe that's taking away half a chimney :-)

[jackthehat]

OG - Are the two rooms over each other?

[Old_Geezer]

They are. It's a weird arrangement with the fireplace in the corner ! But I believe the ground floor chimney veers off and is the one intruding into the back bedroom (which has no fireplace) not the main one.

[jackthehat]

Well, if you can establish that to be the case, you could have the redundant chimney-breast removed (subject to ensuring that the remaining stack is sufficiently supported).

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks. Maybe I'll put it on the list to get an expert to do.

[AlBags]

OG. Yours will be siamesed .. so you won't be able to remove anything without taking it all out.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah, ok. I'll google that then.

[AlBags]

You really need to get inside at the bottom to survey to see how constructed.

[macworm]

You probably need a structural engineer to asses this, I scared the life out of my architect when I removed four chimney breasts but left the stacks supported by acro props! As far as the original question goes then I agree with 'the builder' - as long as you absolutely sure it is sound and properly supported leave it alone, just ensure it is protected from heavy rain and ventilated

[ladybirder]

I think chimney stacks look attractive on a house and wouldn't take one down unless I had to.

[AlBags]

Well I am a builder ... and I can tell you that it is absolutely crazy removing all masonry below other masonry without knowing exactly what you were doing.
Structural engineers don't come into it.

If you knew how much a SINGLE stack of engineering brickwork weighed.
You left the chimneys supported by acros onto the floor joists upstairs, I suppose?

[AlBags]

What you 'should' do .. is to keep the stacks .. but slate or cowl them up so there is still some air ventilation.
If you want the whole lot out .. you take the stack down first and refinish the roof covering .. then the roofspace stuff.
This way, you do not put transfer loads into unknown areas.

[macworm]

Albags - actually that's what worried the architect. He took one look at the acros (with a temporary lintel above and timber beam spreading load across joists below) and asked 'what's under them?' - answer more acros on ground floor.

[macworm]

Brenda - just to add to what Albags has advised, I would make sure that there is also a vent at the base of the flue where the old fireplace was and it has not been completely sealed up. If it has then your nieghbour should consider getting one fitted.

[brenda]

Thanks mac for your advice , neighbour has abandoned the idea now .