CarolineTheChemist
Member
- Messages
- 48
Hello folks.
I have an odd one for you! We’ve recently started the process to repair a vertical crack that has been on our chimney breast for what appears to be a very long time.
We’ve removed the lime plaster and found the bricks underneath are in a bit of a sorry state. I’ve put some photos below. We’re currently looking into whether we just need to repoint them or whether we might re-widen the fireplace and whether a lintel might be necessary (any opinions welcome on this topic too).
In the meantime, we’ve also removed parts of the failing ceiling and were quite surprised to see that the chimney breast bricks curve from the vertical floor wall into the horizontal floor to create a hearth for the room above.
Has anyone seen this before?! I’m hoping someone has! Right now I’m assuming the bricks are held up by mortar and magic. The prop is mainly precautionary - the mortar is a bit cracked but they seem quite sturdy. Was this normal practice for first floor hearths?! I’ve always liked the curve on that part of the ceiling and really don’t want to remove it, but it doesn’t seem entirely gravity compatible…
I have an odd one for you! We’ve recently started the process to repair a vertical crack that has been on our chimney breast for what appears to be a very long time.
We’ve removed the lime plaster and found the bricks underneath are in a bit of a sorry state. I’ve put some photos below. We’re currently looking into whether we just need to repoint them or whether we might re-widen the fireplace and whether a lintel might be necessary (any opinions welcome on this topic too).
In the meantime, we’ve also removed parts of the failing ceiling and were quite surprised to see that the chimney breast bricks curve from the vertical floor wall into the horizontal floor to create a hearth for the room above.
Has anyone seen this before?! I’m hoping someone has! Right now I’m assuming the bricks are held up by mortar and magic. The prop is mainly precautionary - the mortar is a bit cracked but they seem quite sturdy. Was this normal practice for first floor hearths?! I’ve always liked the curve on that part of the ceiling and really don’t want to remove it, but it doesn’t seem entirely gravity compatible…