Removing a chimney breast does not have to be an arduous task. If the location of the chimney makes it impossible to run new plumbing or keep the door hiring a professional for chimney breast removal is often the most convenient solution. Removing a chimney breast can be done in just a few hours and, depending on your home, might not even require any special tools. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about removing a chimney breast in your home. But remember, if you do not have the right experience for this job then you should 100% hire a London construction contractor.
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What is a Chimney Breast?
A chimney breast is a section of wall that is built around the chimney in a home. The chimney breast is often used to house the fireplace or the space heater while also providing a decorative element in the home’s interior design. In older homes, it is not unheard of for the fireplace to be part of the roof structure, so a chimney breast is used to create a functional fireplace inside the home. The chimney breast was most popularly used in homes built in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the United Kingdom. If your home has a chimney breast, there is a good chance that it was built during the Victorian era. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, chimney breasts were very common in homes built around the turn of the 20th century.
Why Would I Want to Remove A Chimney Breast?
There are several reasons why you might want to remove a chimney breast. The first reason to remove a chimney breast is because of location. If the chimney is located in an inconvenient or otherwise unusable part of the house, you may want to remove the chimney breast so that you can make better use of the space. One common example of this is if the chimney is located in the middle of a room. In this case, you can remove the chimney breast and either put in a new wall or open up the space so that it is no longer confined. Another reason to remove a chimney breast is if you want to make room for a new fixture, such as a kitchen island.
How Do I Know If I Need To Remove a Chimney Breast?
If you are thinking about removing a chimney breast, you first need to consider the structural integrity of the existing wall. That is because you will likely have to demolish the wall to remove the chimney breast. If the wall is very weak, removing the chimney breast may not be the best solution, since it will make the problem worse. The next thing you need to consider is whether or not there is a reason why the wall needs to be in its current position. If you are thinking about removing the chimney breast so that you can put in an island, you should probably reconsider. Putting a large structure in the middle of the room will make your home feel cramped and is not a very good use of space.
DIY Chimney Removal: What You Will Need
If you are planning to remove a chimney breast yourself, you will, of course, need the tools and materials necessary to accomplish the task. For a DIY chimney removal, you will need a hammer, a crowbar, a saw, a sledgehammer, a ute-truck, and a trusty sidekick. Okay, you don’t need any of that. In all seriousness, you will need a few basic tools and some sturdy construction materials. The first thing you will need is a ladder. The person doing the climbing should be protected with a safety harness, and the rest of the team should be ready to support the ladder if necessary. Next, you will need a screwdriver, a heavy-duty reciprocating saw, and a hammer for roof shingles. As far as materials go, you will need roofing nails, roofing cement, roofing felt, and a few pieces of wood.
Step by step: How to remove a chimney breast
Here are the steps you need to follow to remove a chimney breast. Start by assessing the chimney. Make sure you know where the chimney is located and what type of structure it is. If you aren’t sure, you can always consult an engineer to be sure that you are doing the job safely. If you are removing the chimney breast to make room for a new fixture or to open up the space, you can begin by measuring the distance between the chimney and the neighbouring walls. Mark the points where you want to put in the new supports and then drill holes into the wall. Once the holes are drilled, you can finish the supports. Make sure that they are securely in place and that they are wide enough to securely support the new structure. Next, you will need to remove the chimney breast. Start by removing the shingles on the roof. Once the shingles are off, you can start removing the chimney breast. If the chimney breast is only partially obstructing your path, you can remove it.
Conclusion
A chimney breast is a common architectural feature in older homes, particularly those in the UK, where it was very popular. If you are thinking about removing a chimney breast, you will need to consider the structural integrity of the wall and whether or not there is a structural reason for the wall to be in the position it is. You should also carefully consider the impact on the interior design of the home.
