Opening up chimney - poor brickwork condition

[Jimmy_103]

We're in the process of installing a stove in the dining room of our Victorian semi. Having removed the plasterboard from the opening and plaster around it, there's clearly been some infill bricks added and a new, small concrete lintel.

We would like to open it to it's original dimensions, to allow a decent sized stove plus adequate room on each side. Plan is to remove the infill bricks and small lintel with the original arch supporting the chimney.

However, my concern is the state of the original brickwork - the left cheek looks reasonable (but not great), as does the arch, but the right cheek doesn't look great and seems to be thinner than the other side.

I would appreciate the opportunity of those with more experience of old brickwork/chimneys.

Thanks

 

[stuart45]

If it was mine I would carefully tooth out the jambs and make them at least 9 inches. 9 or 13 inches was the standard size. It needs to pick up the Springing point of the arch.

 

[Jimmy_103]

Thanks, that's what I thought but it's beyond my skills/experience to do it myself. Would you suggest doing this on both sides or just the right? The left is 1 brick wide which I understand is about the minimum but acceptable.

The springpoint of the arch meets the bricks of the left hand side, but hard to tell in the right due to the poor state of the bricks. I'll have a look from inside the chimney and see how far the arch extends

 

[stuart45]

I would get the right done. What part of the country are you. Nice job in this weather.

 

[Jimmy_103]

Ok thanks, I'll look into it.

In Sheffield in you know anyone local?

 

[stuart45]

Sorry, bit far for me. Shame, I could of done it Wednesday morning.

 

[Jimmy_103]

Ok mate thanks for helping anyway

 

[Jimmy_103]

Any idea how much it would cost for someone to get it to a point where it's structurally sound? I'm happy to remove all the infill myself but only if it's not going to fall down!

 

[stuart45]

Labour wise I'd be happy with £100. You could clean up some of the bricks to reuse. Only really a mornings work to get there, have a drink, tooth out and rebuild.