Expert: Bart Ogden - 7/31/2008

Question
I have an old chimney (one of 2) that are non-functional as the victorian we bought and have been pouring money into was built around the time when the switch was made from a firebox to a
full brick chimney with only a hole in the brick to the flue in order to use a cast iron stove.  In short, there is no hearth, no firebox, and no independent foundation.  The chimneys were built
directly on top of the field stone foundation and the chimneys protrude into the living space of the rooms.  The holes for the cast-iron/steel elbow from the stove to the chimney's have since
been covered over with drywall.  I now have two large "boxes" that protrude into the rooms in question.  I want to open one of the chimneys (inside the mantel) and finish it in order to install
built-in shelves for satellite/DVD player, etc.  Then I want to open the wall and tear out the brick above the mantel in order to mount a flat TV flush with the surrounding remainder of the
chimney surround.  My plan is to clean out the grout joints on one wall at a time and install steel angles on three of the chimney walls in order to be able to remove the "front" chimney face.  My
question is if anyone has ever seen a similar scenario, or is familiar with another method of supporting two full stories of brick chimney while the portion underneath is removed?  The obvious
alternative is to bite the bullet and remove the entire chimney from the roof down, or to support the small portion that protrudes above the roofline and take the rest down.  There is a precedent
as the home (for aesthetic reasons) has a "fake" chimney to balance the two on the ends of the existing gables.

Answer
Hi Robert,

You need to consult a structural engineer and a competent, qualified brick/stone mason on this.

I can't really intelligently comment on such a complicated project as this through this medium.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com