Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in order. We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga type stove that runs through the other.
To start off, could an amateur with no building experience rebuild a chimney? Where could I find a €˜how to guide? Can anyone recommend any good (and easily understandable) books?
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a builder do the job.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

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For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy...e-3094540-.htm

Ed J wrote:
Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks
in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in order.
We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga type stove
that runs through the other.

To start off, could an amateur with no building experience rebuild a
chimney? Where could I find a €˜how to guide? Can anyone recommend any
good (and easily understandable) books?

How do you propose to get access? Where is the chimney and how are you
getting at it? Detached, semi, terrace? One/two/three stories? Is the
chimney stack accessible from the ground (eg end terrace), or is it in the
middle of the roof? Or is the problem internal (maybe in the loft)?

Are the flues lined?

We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a builder do the job.

A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?). Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

Theo

On Friday, 12 February 2021 at 16:38:18 UTC, Theo wrote:
Ed J wrote:
Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks
in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in order.
We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga type stove
that runs through the other.

To start off, could an amateur with no building experience rebuild a
chimney? Where could I find a €˜how to guide? Can anyone recommend any
good (and easily understandable) books?
How do you propose to get access? Where is the chimney and how are you
getting at it? Detached, semi, terrace? One/two/three stories? Is the
chimney stack accessible from the ground (eg end terrace), or is it in the
middle of the roof? Or is the problem internal (maybe in the loft)?

Are the flues lined?
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a builder do the job.
A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?). Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

Theo


I think I would get some experience brick laying at ground level before trying to work on scaffolding 5/6 metres above.

Richard

On 12/02/2021 17:13, Tricky Dicky wrote:


I think I would get some experience brick laying at ground level before trying to work on scaffolding 5/6 metres above.


Nah, all he needs do is watch a few old Fred Dibnah videos.

On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:

We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a builder do the job.

You don't need a builder, with all his overheads and rake-off. You need
an experienced brickie paid by the hundred of bricks. Not day rate.
Discuss access with him. He might be able to get a better deal than you
on scaffolding. Likewise materials, but be prepared to buy access eqpt
and materials direct if he doesn't want to get involved.

Don't try to do this yourself. A brickie will be ten times faster than
you and he'll do a better job.

Bill

Yes indeed, which is why you need to first find out why its leaking and that
there are no other things afoot that might need another tradesman.

Try to see other work they may have done. Avoiding saying he, as my late
Girlfriend was an excellent bricklayer, its not a gender thing at all.
Brian

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"williamwright" wrote in message
...
On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:

We are basically broke at the moment and I can't afford £1000s to have a
builder do the job.

You don't need a builder, with all his overheads and rake-off. You need an
experienced brickie paid by the hundred of bricks. Not day rate.
Discuss access with him. He might be able to get a better deal than you on
scaffolding. Likewise materials, but be prepared to buy access eqpt and
materials direct if he doesn't want to get involved.

Don't try to do this yourself. A brickie will be ten times faster than you
and he'll do a better job.

Bill

On 13/02/2021 09:31, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:

Try to see other work they may have done. Avoiding saying he, as my late
Girlfriend was an excellent bricklayer, its not a gender thing at all.
Brian


I'm not going to use convoluted expressions just to satisfy a few
nutters. People should simply accept that in some contexts 'he' isn't
gender-specific.

Bill

On 13/02/2021 01:32, williamwright wrote:
On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:

We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to
have a builder do the job.

You don't need a builder, with all his overheads and rake-off. You need
an experienced brickie paid by the hundred of bricks. Not day rate.
Discuss access with him. He might be able to get a better deal than you
on scaffolding. Likewise materials, but be prepared to buy access eqpt
and materials direct if he doesn't want to get involved.

Don't try to do this yourself. A brickie will be ten times faster than
you and he'll do a better job.

Bill

There's more to building a class 1 chimney than just slapping bricks
together. Also needs to be effectively lined, and the design
considered. Since the original chimney was built, other properties
could have been built nearby that affects it's performance.

eg

http://www.dunbrikflues.co.uk/class-one-system.html

Andrew wrote:
There's more to building a class 1 chimney than just slapping bricks
together. Also needs to be effectively lined, and the design
considered. Since the original chimney was built, other properties
could have been built nearby that affects it's performance.

Is it feasible to line a chimney from the fireplace end, rather than having
to go on the roof?

If the OP has a leaking chimney it sounds like they need lining sorted out,
and the brickwork is secondary (unless it's falling down).

(lining would not be something I'd want to DIY, given the risk of poisonous
gases if I got it wrong)

Theo

On 13/02/2021 11:46, Theo wrote:
Andrew wrote:
There's more to building a class 1 chimney than just slapping bricks
together. Also needs to be effectively lined, and the design
considered. Since the original chimney was built, other properties
could have been built nearby that affects it's performance.

Is it feasible to line a chimney from the fireplace end, rather than having
to go on the roof?

If the OP has a leaking chimney it sounds like they need lining sorted out,
and the brickwork is secondary (unless it's falling down).

(lining would not be something I'd want to DIY, given the risk of poisonous
gases if I got it wrong)

Theo

Indeed. I would suggest he finds some forums dedicated to
log burners and suchlike and ask advice there.

people have died from CO simply by keeping a smouldering disposable BBQ
inside a closed tent or caravan awning before now.

And at the moment in the windy season, a cherry picker is not a good idea.
What about insurance? If you have done your best at maintain it then you
might get at least some of the money back if its storm damage.
If its a shared chimney, the chances are that your neighbour has the same
issue and the cost shared is not too bad normally.
Also when we had a leak it turned out to be lead flashing issues which did
not cost so much. Avoid cowboys who put their foot through your roof to get
extra work.
Brian

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The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

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Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Theo" wrote in message
...
Ed J wrote:
Hi All,
I've never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks
in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in
order.
We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga type stove
that runs through the other.

To start off, could an amateur with no building experience rebuild a
chimney? Where could I find a 'how to guide'? Can anyone recommend any
good (and easily understandable) books?

How do you propose to get access? Where is the chimney and how are you
getting at it? Detached, semi, terrace? One/two/three stories? Is the
chimney stack accessible from the ground (eg end terrace), or is it in the
middle of the roof? Or is the problem internal (maybe in the loft)?

Are the flues lined?

We are basically broke at the moment and I can't afford £1000s to have a
builder do the job.

A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?). Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

Theo

On 13/02/2021 09:28, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:
And at the moment in the windy season, a cherry picker is not a good idea.

If building a chimney a cherry picker is the last thing you want. You
need somewhere close by the top if the chimney to store a ton of bricks!
The platform of a cherry picker is not that place.

30+ years I had my chimney, above roof level, rebuilt with new brick
because the 70 year old chimney has a one inch crack. The discarded
material filled a large skip. Two large chimney pots were removed - they
were F***** heavy. They were replaced by ventilated caps.

The job was completed in a day by two skilled brickies and a labourer
from scaffolding erected previously.


--
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In article , alan_m
scribeth thus
On 13/02/2021 09:28, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:
And at the moment in the windy season, a cherry picker is not a good idea.

If building a chimney a cherry picker is the last thing you want. You
need somewhere close by the top if the chimney to store a ton of bricks!
The platform of a cherry picker is not that place.

30+ years I had my chimney, above roof level, rebuilt with new brick
because the 70 year old chimney has a one inch crack. The discarded
material filled a large skip. Two large chimney pots were removed - they
were F***** heavy. They were replaced by ventilated caps.

The job was completed in a day by two skilled brickies and a labourer
from scaffolding erected previously.



I once did a single flue for a mate many years ago he had a decent
scaffold in place and did the bit of labouring needed it was around
three bricks a side square and around six feet or so, its upright and
works OK and is still standing but I've done a bit of brickwork before
NOT something I'd like to try as a beginner!


--
Tony Sayer


Man is least himself when he talks in his own person.

Give him a keyboard, and he will reveal himself.

On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:
With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

last time i hired some it was so much to erect and dismantle and peanuts
to leave it standing there for weeks


--
Microsoft : the best reason to go to Linux that ever existed.

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

last time i hired some it was so much to erect and dismantle and peanuts
to leave it standing there for weeks

That's kind of how I thought it worked, you were paying for their
employees and vehicles, while providing them with free storage of their
tubes :-)

But this seems to say different, £750+ per week for a semi?

https://pricethisplease.co.uk/scaffolding-cost/

On 16/02/2021 11:32, Andy Burns wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

last time i hired some it was so much to erect and dismantle and
peanuts to leave it standing there for weeks

That's kind of how I thought it worked, you were paying for their
employees and vehicles, while providing them with free storage of their
tubes :-)

But this seems to say different, £750+ per week for a semi?

https://pricethisplease.co.uk/scaffolding-cost/

In 2018/9 I and both my neighbours had scaffolding up at the front of a
terrace house (3 stages), at different times. Cost was around £350
(inclusive) and it was up for a period of 7 to 12 weeks with no extra
charges. 2 to 4 of these weeks was after requesting that is was removed.



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On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:
....
A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?). Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

Scaffolding costs are primarily in the erection and dismantling. When I
last had some done, it was priced per month and the cost of keeping it
up longer, had I needed it, would have been minimal. Indeed, the main
problem seems to be in getting them to come to take it down if they
don't have another job they need it on.

--
Colin Bignell

On 13/02/2021 11:12, nightjar wrote:
On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:
...
A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?).Â* Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro
who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

Scaffolding costs are primarily in the erection and dismantling. When I
last had some done, it was priced per month and the cost of keeping it
up longer, had I needed it, would have been minimal. Indeed, the main
problem seems to be in getting them to come to take it down if they
don't have another job they need it on.


Cheaper to leave it up than to dismantle to then have to take it to the
yard for storage

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 13/02/2021 12:32, alan_m wrote:
On 13/02/2021 11:12, nightjar wrote:
On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:
...
A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?).Â* Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a
pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter
running.

Scaffolding costs are primarily in the erection and dismantling. When
I last had some done, it was priced per month and the cost of keeping
it up longer, had I needed it, would have been minimal. Indeed, the
main problem seems to be in getting them to come to take it down if
they don't have another job they need it on.


Cheaper to leave it up than to dismantle to then have to take it to the
yard for storage

Especially if they rely on temporary Labour on a day rate, in which case
they might prefer to remove scaffolding and re-erect at the next site
on the same day by the same people.

In article ,
Andrew wrote:
On 13/02/2021 12:32, alan_m wrote:
On 13/02/2021 11:12, nightjar wrote:
On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:
...
A big chunk of the cost is likely to be access (scaffolding, cherry
picker?). Work out how you're going to do that first of all.

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a
pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter
running.

Scaffolding costs are primarily in the erection and dismantling. When
I last had some done, it was priced per month and the cost of keeping
it up longer, had I needed it, would have been minimal. Indeed, the
main problem seems to be in getting them to come to take it down if
they don't have another job they need it on.


Cheaper to leave it up than to dismantle to then have to take it to the
yard for storage

Especially if they rely on temporary Labour on a day rate, in which case
they might prefer to remove scaffolding and re-erect at the next site
on the same day by the same people.

You don't need such a big yard, either.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

On 12/02/2021 16:38, Theo wrote:

With scaffolding being on a daily rate, it may be cheaper to get a pro who
can do it quickly, rather than learning as you go with the meter running.

Scaffolding for chimney isn't a hire by the day tower.

In my experience once scaffolding is erected the company often doesn't
care too much, within reason, how long it's up and the original price
will cover a month or two. The last time I phoned up to have some
removed I was informed it may take 3 weeks!


To the OP: Even with bricklaying or DIY experience rebuilding a chimney
is the last job many experienced DIY people would tackle.

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In article
direct.com,
Ed J wrote:

Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. ...
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a
builder do the job.
...

You've had some first-class advice already I see!

(Speaking from experience) I'd like to reinforce the fundamental point:
don't attempt this job yourself: you _will_ regret it, in several ways!

You need to ask around of your neighbours, friends etc, to see if you
can identify a good jobbing builder _who has done chimneys before_.

If it needs doing, and if you don't have the cash, then try and get a
loan. I'd say that rebuilding a chimney is just about the hardest, and
most dangerous, job you could think of, in DIY.

Very best of luck: we all wish you welll!

John

On 12/02/2021 16:15, Ed J wrote:
Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks
in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in
order. We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga
type stove that runs through the other. To start off, could an amateur
with no building experience rebuild a chimney? Where could I find a €˜how
to guide? Can anyone recommend any good (and easily understandable) books?
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a
builder do the job.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

get a yoof to do it...they are told they can do anything ....but can't

On 12/02/2021 16:15, Ed J wrote:

Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks
in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in
order. We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga
type stove that runs through the other. To start off, could an amateur
with no building experience rebuild a chimney? Where could I find a €˜how
to guide? Can anyone recommend any good (and easily understandable) books?
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a
builder do the job.

Difficult to say without much more information. As others have said, as
a first time bricklaying exercise, a chimney is probably not the place
to start.

Having said that, if its just a few broken bricks, then (depending on
where and why they are breken) replacing them is not that difficult to diy.


--
Cheers,

John.

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| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

For a similar job I got a quote from a local roofer - basically a general
builder who specialises - who not only did superb work at a very reasonable
rate but also supplied his own means of access in the form of various
ladders and platforms.

Please don't try doing it yourself.

On Friday, February 12, 2021 at 4:15:06 PM UTC, Ed J wrote:
Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in order. We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga type stove that runs through the other.
To start off, could an amateur with no building experience rebuild a chimney? Where could I find a €˜how to guide? Can anyone recommend any good (and easily understandable) books?
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a builder do the job.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy...e-3094540-.htm

If the chimney is in a very bad way, you might well find it's cheaper to remove it and fit a suitable metal replacement which will outperform a masonry one.
It will also need to be lined even if you don't replace it, liners are expensive.
Do not use it as it is, it could be leaking deadly carbon monoxide into the house.

In my last two houses, I removed all the brick chimneys and put in metal, also gaining a lot of space.

On Friday, 12 February 2021 at 16:15:06 UTC, Ed J wrote:
Hi All,
Ive never done DIY before and our chimney stack is leaking. Some bricks in the stack are broken and it generally looks like a rebuild is in order. We have a wood burner running through one pot and Esse gas Aga type stove that runs through the other.
To start off, could an amateur with no building experience rebuild a chimney? Where could I find a €˜how to guide? Can anyone recommend any good (and easily understandable) books?
We are basically broke at the moment and I cant afford £1000s to have a builder do the job.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.


You might also find that some sort of approval (building regs.) is required - whether before anything is done, during the work, or on completion.