Chimney & Fireplace

Chimney breast removal - is steel necessary when the remaining brickwork is tied in?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.00 PM

Hi, we've had 2 chimney breasts removed in a house we've just bought and are refurbishing. A friend of the family is a builder and has been for many years. Other family members have concerns that steel has not been used to support the chimney breasts above. Thick pieces of wood have been used, screwed into the walls and surrounding joists. When questioned about it, our builder friend is certain that the remaining chimney breasts are tied into the walls, which is also evident from the brickwork below where the breasts have been removed, he assures us that they will not move or fall, but our other family members are still concerned and stressing us out about it and getting some steel in there. Can anyone help put our minds at rest please, is it always necessary to use steel where the remaining chimney breasts are tied into the walls? Thank you.