Fireplace, cracks and the chimney
Hi Everyone,
Hope all is well.
After a long wait, the builders have finally started the refurbishment work. Led by an experienced, elderly builder, who is coordinating the work.
One issue that has cropped up are the cracks and the chimney.
In the past, I had noticed huge cracks in the wardrobe wall of the bedroom on the first floor.
A structural engineer opined that 'this was main cracking which is to the left-hand wall within the rear wardrobe and within the rear wall along with the junction of the chimney and the dividing wall within the front wardrobe is thermal movement due to heat within the chimney breast from the fire situated in the ground floor room. In this age of property the chimney may not be lined consequently the heat is simply affecting the brickwork lining of the chimney which is causing expansion and contraction resulting in the cracking noted. This expansion and contraction will also have caused the movement at the junction of the dividing wall with the right-hand wall due to the movement noted in the adjoining walls. We scrapped some of the plaster back and noted the internal block walls were old clinker blocks which are also more susceptible to cracking and thermal movement'
We would advise that the chimney is checked and if it is not lined as we suspect then a liner should be installed in accordance with current regulations
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The builder has advised that 'Chimney. We would recommend this is removed certainly down to first floor' In the same email he also inquired if I had taken out building and home contents insurance.
I read about the removal of chimneys and it can can lead to instability of the building? So am a little unnerved about this. Please do find some pics enclosed within. I am due to meet the builder on Monday and go through all this. Thought of also contacting the structural engineer, who issued the report, and ask him a second opinion as well?
Please do advise
Kind Regards
M
Comments (8)
HU-768402840
last yearlast modified: last yearSome more pics
CRACKS IN THE FIRST FLOOR- ? AMENABLE TO EML, AS PER SURVEY REPORT
Cut and pasted from the building survey, regarding the cracks
There are cracks in the plaster finishes inside the built-in wardrobe to the rear right-hand bedroom to both left and right of the cupboard. These have opened up approximately 3-4mm in places but look slightly worse because the plaster has debonded and slipped. We recommend the cracks should be dealt with by way of breaking out the debonded plaster and renewing the plaster finishes however, if the cracks stem into the brickwork we recommend the installation of an EML style galvanised mesh and fixings to bridge the defects in the brickwork before the plaster finishes are re-applied. This is on both sides of the cupboard and is approximately 2m on either side.Related Discussions
Fireplace dilemma?
Comments (21)I agree with victoriabunglowranch, scrub it and repaint in one of the colours of the piece, I'd personally head towards dark and moody colours for walls, with crisp white ceilings, how about wrapping the chimney in smokey mirror in same shade that you paint the wall, I agree floor is very busy, would like to see a large rug here to keep the focus on the fireplace and I'd keep the "mantle area" free from objects, the fire place is enough, art work on side walls and floral pieces on coffee tables or buffets, I'd also choose luxe furniture and fabrics in one of the lighter shades shown in the fireplace, perhaps with a slight leaning towards art deco in some pieces and then spice up with accent cushions, art, lamps and lighting. Art Deco can carry contemporary pieces too, be brave here this could be a very special room with it's own personality and with care it will still link to the other areas of the house....See MoreChimney Breast Colour?
Comments (8)Hi Jonathan. You're right that the chimney breast needs "defining" in some way. In terms of painting, the only way I would go is white, or a a couple of shades lighter or darker than the wall colour -- particularly looking at your ideabook, which shows an inclination towards a kind of spare, airy elegance. You can happily use navy for accents in the room, if you like the idea. But I do agree that looking for a large artwork would be the first thing to do. Find something you love, in the first place -- and if it has a touch of the colour of the brick, so much the better. I love your dramatic fireplace, and the way the wood of the fireplace works with the cabinet. Go with the instincts you show in your ideabook....See MoreWhat size mirror over fireplace?
Comments (7)Rule of thumb is usually 2/3rd's the width of the mantle is a size that will look comfortable. Over mantle mirrors do add a 'finished' feel and look very sophisticated but it depends what style you're really going for. I quite like the window style mirrors you can get now for a twist on the traditional over mantle mirrors. Can tie classic to industrial or mid century quite happily....See MoreAdvice on Fitted Wardrobes/Fireplace
Comments (1)Hi Therese, You could keep them as two seperate wardrobes and revamp to something more modern, alternatively you could get rid of the fire place and step out the two wardrobes and create one large wardrobe all flush and the chimney breast would work as a row of narrow shelves! Please see some photos of our past work as examples;...See MoreHU-768402840
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Jonathan