Expanding my fireplace opening

[JohnnieD]

Hi all - newbie on here and would like some help

So I’m living in a Taylor Wimpey house built in the year 2000 - it had a gas fire in the living room and chimney on the roof. I decided this year that I’d like to install a log burner- however after taking out the fire I found that the clearance wasn’t enough to accommodate the log burner that we wanted.

Simple job I thought just a bit of general building work and i’m sorted, not the case as you can see from the photo I’m now faced with these 9 inch concrete rings that go up to the roof, a gather that I’m told is holding everything up thus I can’t take out any bricks/blocks from the side as it supports all above including the gather and concrete ring pipes .

Can anyone advise me or direct me on how I can do this - I’m quite happy to get a builder in if needs be.

Few photos below of where I’m at or not at as the case may be

Any thoughts ideas comments- please please please get back to me

Cheers

John

 

[domdee]

I'm certainly no expert but i'll givve my 2p worth...
I'd say you need to prop the second 'ring' with some kind of steel brace to allow you to take the first ring and that cast concrete lump. Remove necessary bricks and refit/replace the cast concrete to width/height required. You might need to remove more than you think to be able to sufficiently rebuild/support.

 

[JohnnieD]

Thanks domdee ~ looking at it I’m thinking the more supports the better. However that gives me restricted access in/around the working area I’m hoping their are a few builders on here that might have come across something like this before and has a few more good ideas

 

[domdee]

yes room will be tight you could perhaps build the steel work/supports into your chimney?

 

[JohnnieD]

Yep - think that’s what I’m going to have to do. Thinking of hiring one of these to assist called “No more props” looks ok and if I can also prop it either end I should be able to get in between to carry out the demolition/ building work

 

[domdee]

Planning will be key! Good look. Keep us updated

 

[JohnnieD]

Will do and thank you for your thoughts

 

[JohnnieD]

Many thanks to Domdee for his comments - are there any experienced builders on here who would be so kind as to offer me advice on my issue? Any comments would be very appreciated