Taking down chimney, restoring or replacing it?

Thank you Zebra and Feltwell.

I had looked into pre-mixed lime mortars and I think that this is the likely route that we will take. This way at least we can be certain of the mix and the quality of the sands used. I have tried to speak with Lime Green but puzzlingly they wouldn't transfer me to their technical team because I am neither an architect or a company. As baffling an approach to customer service that I have experienced in a long time.

Interestingly, one of Lime Green's merchants told me that their premix mortar contains a mix of sharp and soft sand. He thought that it was a 50:50 mix of sharp and soft sand in a 1:3 ratio of lime to sand (but couldn't be certain and suggested I speak with Lime Green to confirm :| ). They also do their own mortar called Ironstone that uses that same mix with sands local to them so this could be an option.

Just tell them you are an architect, or that you are a sole trader - simples

PM sent Jsmac.

Thanks, Feltwell. I've replied to your PM.

Our bricklayer is very reluctant (ie. no chance we'll be able to convince him) to use any kind of premixed mortar :roll:

I'm now looking at getting sand delivered from one of the companies that makes the premixes (Lime Centre and Womersley's have been very helpful). They sell properly graded and washed river sand and grit sand which is my main concern with buying soft sand from one of the main building suppliers.

I hope to soon be able to bring some positive news and photos to this thread

Chimney rebuild victory!

After countless hours spent researching sand, NHL, bricks, chimney pots, etc. we finally completed the chimney rebuild this past weekend. We used a mix of fine and coarse sharp sands and NHL 3.5 in a 2.5:1 mix for the bricks and a NHL 5 : sharp sand mix for the flaunching. The bricklayer suggested using a half bucket of cement in the flaunching mix because of the high winds and the long setting time of NHL. This seemed reasonable so that is what we went with. We still need to get the roofer in to roof over the redundant chimney stacks and do the leadwork but actually getting this chimney rebuilt feels like quite the accomplishment. I'm pleased that we stuck with it despite all the times that it would have simply been easier to roof over the lot and be done with it.

Thank you to everyone for chiming in with suggestions. I'll update the thread when we've finished the all the roofing work and the installation of the twin-wall flue chimney.

Cheers.

Looks good!

I know that satisfying "post chimney works" feeling :wink:

Beautiful work, well done, love the tall pots as well, very elegant!