removing a chimney

Gain space by doing away with a chimney breast

Ripping out a fireplace you don’t need can seriously boost the amount of usable space in your kitchen, and frees up the perfect spot for a lovely large range cooker, as well as extra cabinetry and storage for all your pots and pans.

How’s it done?

If you’re only taking out a ground floor fireplace, you’ll need to insert a steel lintel to carry the weight of the chimney stack above. ‘Some builders use steel gallows brackets, but not all Local Authorities permit them,’ says Steve Mcsorley, director of civil and structural engineering at Thomasons. A wood lintel can also be used, but nothing really beats steel.

Can I remove the whole of the chimney?

Yes – doing this creates extra space in the bedrooms and loft, too. But, it does mean that every room affected will need to be redecorated, and there will be holes in the floors and ceilings. ‘You need to prove, preferably via a structural engineer’s report, that the remaining walls are stable without the bracing support of the chimney breast,’ adds Neil Tomlinson, founder of Neil Tomlinson Architects.

Do I need planning permission?

Not if you leave the chimney as is at roof level, so the exterior of the house doesn’t change. But if you live in a listed property, you will need listed building consent. ‘You may need a Party Wall Agreement if it is on a party wall as the flues are often shared. Be aware that your neighbours don’t have to agree,’ says Steve.

Will I need building regulations approval?

even if you’re just removing the chimney breast on one level, it counts as structural work, so will need approval from your local building control office. It’s wise to get a structural survey to calculate load-bearing requirements, and often you are required to do so.

What else do I need to consider?

‘If the chimney is only partly removed, then the blocked-up shaft must be properly ventilated to prevent damp problems occurring in the chimney stack,’ says Neil. If the existing brickwork is really old, you also need to tread very carefully – ancient lime mortar can easily crumble and what started as a small job, can quickly descend into chaos.

‘Don’t forget,if you take the whole chimney out, your home may look ODD from the outside’ NEIL TOMLINSON, founder, neil Tomlinson architects