Re plastering a chimney stack.

Projectx

I need a bit of advice on this one please..
I have an old chimney on a bungalow which needs attention. Looking from the ground it looks like its about four feet tall. It seems the rain is getting in behind the plaster through the many small(ish) cracks.
The chimney is not in use and will not be in use again.

Should I have it re plastered or taken down . Which would be the least expensive of the two options. There is no problem with access .
Thanks.

TopTec

I would suggest that taking it down is the more expensive option. Especially factoring in the replacement of roof timbers and slates afterwards. It maybe that your roof will require adjustment as the current timbers may either go around or hang on the current breast.

I had 2 chimneys re plastered 2 years ago and if access to yours is as easy as mine then re-plastering is definitely the way to go. Quicker and less expensive.

TT

Projectx

Thanks for reply.
I had the idea that if taking them down I could stop about a foot above the roof and then just cap them off. That way the roof would be left intact.

Can you give me an idea of what you paid to have yours plastered.
Thanks

TopTec

Well, if I remember correctly it was a day and a half work for a fella and he had a mate for the second day to help lift up the muck. As I recall it was 300 for the labour and another 150 for the materials plus some replacement lead, which might have been 50 euros.

I was having loads of other refurb work done at the time but am pretty sure that was the cost.

He brought his own tools but used my roof ladders and he jigged up a wooden frame to walk on around the higher of the 2 chimneys. (My place is single storey).

TT

Projectx

I was talking to someone this afternoon who had a chimney re plastered on a two story house. The old plaster was chipped off and then plastered. It was a standard size chimney . He paid .............€2000.00 for the work.

I think your figure is much more realistic maybe plus an extra few bob for scaffolding .
I'll get a few quotes and take it from there.
Thanks.

gctest50

It might be cracked right through - frost the other year etc

you could drop it out n stick in a velux window to fill the hole

you'd need an engineer in - might be roof timbers using it as support

TopTec

My guys brought their own scaffolding. Scaffolding would be a big hit on a quote especially on a two storey drum. Also I have noticed since I have been here in the West that there is a large difference in regional costs, obviously more expensive in Dublin.

The other factor is that two ears ago there was no work for plasterers over this side of Ireland .... now they are getting a lot busier. My guy is booked up until early December.

Best of Luck

TT

_Brian

IF its cracked through your house insurance should cover the cost.. My sister had her's done under insurance, cost of the job would have been over €2k. Her policy went up by €120 for 2-3 years and is now back down.

Projectx

This is an old house (maybe 50/60 yrs) so the cracks are probably just down to age of plaster. Would house insurance cover in that case.
Thanks