karatekaren Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 I really want to know how concerning this is and how we should make sure it is secure.. It is an old Edwardian house. The mortar is crumbling but not sure if merely replacing it is enough. It is about a metre and a half long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 What’s to the left and below? Looks like a lintel of some sort just into view on the left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 More photos from further away would be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 Here is a better photo maybe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) Looks to me like the corbelled brickwork leans on that timber and the timber has bowed a bit and the Mortor is soft. Try a straight edge against the wood and see if it is straight!. I would be tempted to diagonally brace that timber, rake out and re point the crack and surrounding brickwork. IMO it’s not going anywhere soon. Edited September 12, 2022 by joe90 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 Thanks @joe90 that makes perfect sense. I will see if the wood is straight but the mortar is very soft and powdery as you say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundtuit Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 I suspect the timber is a later addition to try and support the brickwork. Looks like the brickwork wasn't bonded very well when it was constructed and has possibly settled a bit over time (not unusual with old chimney stacks; there's a lot of weight there). I'd get a professional to have a look at it for peace of mind, but I'd rake out and stitch maybe every 5th or 6th course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 What’s going on next floor down? Have chimney breasts been removed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 5 minutes ago, markc said: What’s going on next floor down? Have chimney breasts been removed? Difficult to tell but that crack appears to stop at floor level and stop above the timber so I don’t believe movement has occurred above or below that crack. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 Crack as a result of a previous chimney fire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 (edited) Is it adjacent to a flue? And is the flue in use and/or lined? The crack hasn't significantly opened up but I'd certainly monitor it. Repairs would be to reinforce the timber and repoint. Edited September 13, 2022 by George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickie Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 3 hours ago, Roundtuit said: suspect the timber is a later addition to try and support the brickwork I have the same timber set up in my loft-I’m inclined to think it was set up for the bricklayers to follow for the corbel,and provided a little stability during construction in the process. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 (edited) I have seen that timber too. For ease of construction I think. Behind the brick will be 2 flues, and they do not seem ho be bonded together. Perhaps one was used a lot and the other not. As Mark c. Says...do you still have chimney breasts in the roomz below? A lot were taken out. Edited September 13, 2022 by saveasteading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 13/09/2022 at 08:00, markc said: What’s going on next floor down? Have chimney breasts been removed? Hi, they are still in place, fortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 18 hours ago, saveasteading said: I have seen that timber too. For ease of construction I think. Behind the brick will be 2 flues, and they do not seem ho be bonded together. Perhaps one was used a lot and the other not. As Mark c. Says...do you still have chimney breasts in the roomz below? A lot were taken out. Hi they are still in place fortunately. No danger of chimney stack falling, fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 13/09/2022 at 10:46, George said: Is it adjacent to a flue? And is the flue in use and/or lined? The crack hasn't significantly opened up but I'd certainly monitor it. Repairs would be to reinforce the timber and repoint. Hi, we are not using the chimney- we have a lovely 9riginal fireplace still but just ornamental. We are getting ready for sale and I know cracks can look scary to new buyers. Because of renovations we have done the loft is now super accessible and light for any surveyor so they will definitely see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 13/09/2022 at 07:40, Roundtuit said: I suspect the timber is a later addition to try and support the brickwork. Looks like the brickwork wasn't bonded very well when it was constructed and has possibly settled a bit over time (not unusual with old chimney stacks; there's a lot of weight there). I'd get a professional to have a look at it for peace of mind, but I'd rake out and stitch maybe every 5th or 6th course. Can you tell a novice what stitching means please? I can Google bit I like this site for real insight from professionals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 (edited) 38 minutes ago, karatekaren said: Can you tell a novice what stitching means please? I can Google bit I like this site for real insight from professionals. You rake out mortar across a crack, insert a small length of reinforcing (mesh, rod, brick-tie) and then repoint the mortar. Leave to cure and then do the next joint. (You can do a few joints at once but not adjacent or the crack can open more while mortar is going off) .. unless you bend rod into a elongated U shape and hook over the ends of bricks into vertical joints. Edited September 14, 2022 by markc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundtuit Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 17 minutes ago, karatekaren said: Can you tell a novice what stitching means please? I can Google bit I like this site for real insight from professionals. Sorry, not a professional by any stretch of the imagination; more of an enthusiastic amateur 🙂 Crack-stitching involves cleaning out a horizontal mortar joint, maybe 50cm either side of the crack, and then embedding a helical steel rod deep in the joint with a resin compound. You can buy kits and diy it, but you really need a professional opinion as to whether it's an appropriate solution for your situation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatekaren Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 1 hour ago, Roundtuit said: Sorry, not a professional by any stretch of the imagination; more of an enthusiastic amateur 🙂 Crack-stitching involves cleaning out a horizontal mortar joint, maybe 50cm either side of the crack, and then embedding a helical steel rod deep in the joint with a resin compound. You can buy kits and diy it, but you really need a professional opinion as to whether it's an appropriate solution for your situation. Yes not even going to begin to attempt this on my own but don't want to sound like a numpty when talking to potential builders as some are less than scrupulous round our way, and I want to make sure I have a little knowledge in advance, so I can ask the right questions. Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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