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Chimney & Fireplace

Decorative opening (no fireplace) in chimney breast - who do I need?

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.12 PM

There is a boarded over chimney breast in the living room of the flat we are buying, and we would like to 'open this up' but only to create a 'decorative opening'; we have no intention of installing a fireplace, just some decorative tiles on the hearth (followed by laying carpet). Complete DIY novice so not comfortable doing myself, or even really sure if I'm phrasing this right! What do I need to think about - will this involve building regs, if we're not actually removing the chimney breast and there's no fireplace going in? Who would I need for a job like this and roughly how much might it cost? Any advice gratefully received.

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1 Answer

CLEANSWEEP Chimney Sweeping

Rating: 5 out of 5

York

It depends what is revealed when you take away the board. If there is just a void (known as a builder’s opening) with no sign of a soot fall, then you just need a competent builder. If there are signs of soot or debris coming down the chimney, or there is an old fire in place, it would be best to get a builder with experience of putting in and taking out fires. They may also recommend you have the chimney swept to prevent issues (usually damp) occurring in the future. When chimney are ‘retired’ it is best if they have a specially designed cover/cowl fitted over the pot. These let the chimney ‘breathe’ which reduces likelihood of damp related problems.

Answered21 July 2020