The Dangers of an Unsupported Chimney Stack

One of the biggest issues that people find when buying an older home is dealing with old fireplaces and chimneys. Depending on how old the home is, there is a good chance that it has been through multiple renovations over the years. Renovations can often alter the space which could create issues if the chimney stack isn’t supported properly. 

What is an Unsupported Chimney Stack?

An unsupported chimney stack is any part of the chimney structure that is left behind after parts are removed. This could be because the fireplace became redundant and the previous owner decided to remove the fireplace itself to make more space on the lower floors.

By removing the lower fireplace and chimney, the renovators left the chimney stack on the upper floors unsupported by anything but the floorboards on the upper floor. Chimneys, especially old chimneys, can be incredibly heavy. Leaving even a small chunk of it left unsupported could result in a potential collapse. 

Do You Have an Unsupported Chimney Stack?

You can poke around and see if there are pieces missing from the chimneys in your home. But you won’t really know if safety precautions have been taken or not unless you bring in a surveyor to check it out for you. A surveyor is properly trained in finding out what supports have been implemented and can determine if the chimney could be a danger to you or your family. 

What to Do if You Have an Unsupported Chimney Stack?

If you have had a surveyor confirm that you have an unsupported chimney stack, there are a couple of ways you can address the situation. One option is to remove the remaining stack so you no longer have a chimney. This is usually the cheapest option but can leave your home looking like it’s missing something. If you like the visual aesthetics of a chimney stack, the second option might be better for you.

To avoid removing the chimney stack, you can provide additional support to ensure the chimney is safe. This includes working with an engineer to provide the necessary structure the chimney breast requires. Often this is done with steel brackets known as gallows brackets. They can take the weight of the bricks and create a much safer environment.

The danger of an unsupported chimney stack is that it could collapse and cause injury or even death to the occupants of the house. Homeownership comes with the responsibility to ensure the occupants of the house are as safe as you can make them.

Contact Us

Here at Simon Levy Associates, we specialise in helping you stay safe. We’ll examine your home and do a full survey, then provide you with the information to fix the problems. Contact us today to arrange a survey.