Dismantle Pillar

whodafunk

Hi All,

looking for some advice please regarding moving a pillar for the purpose of widening a driveway.
how easy is it to remove pillar cap and dismantle pillar to keep existing bricks intact? Pillar is very small - 17 inches wide, 32 inches high approx. I am trying to keep costs to a minimum. I plan to then call on an expert to rebuild the pillar. Thank you

10-10-20

Hi, its usually pretty easy as long as you have a bolster chisel and a reasonable hammer. The cap should come loose after hitting the supporting mortar all round. Each brick should then seperarate after striking the mortar a few times.

So normally it's not a difficult job to complete, but the reassembly of the pillar would need a pro to get it plumb and level.

whodafunk

Thank you very much for your reply back.

dathi

https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/planning-building-control/pre-planning-information/pre-planning-guidance-and-consultation/south-dublin-county-council-guide-on-house-extension-exemptions-from-planning-permission.pdf#:~:text=However%2C%20widening%20an%20existing%20driveway%20entrance%20will%20require%20planning%20permission.

and just so you are aware if you are widening your entrance you require planning permission otherwise you leave yourself open to one of your neighbours complaining to council

standardg60

Far easier to just loosen the pillar off it's base and move it in one piece.

elperello

Would you consider giving the whole job to one person ?

mrslancaster

Delete

The Continental Op

I'd say to the OP its a suck it and see job. I've taken down walls and saved every brick yet I've also tried to take down walls where I smashed every single one.

The problem with a something like a gate pier is that it might have been a small job to put it up and the tendency when mixing a small amount of cement mortar is to put in far more cement that really needed making cleaning up the bricks next to impossible.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123434627#Comment_123434627

Was going to post the same, if the mortar is stronger than the bricks then you will just break all the bricks.

I've seen a few people move the pillar as one, but cant comment on how strong the result is…

10-10-20

If it can be given a strong base and then tied back into the wall, by toothing-out or using wall-ties, then fine. Otherwise, for safety's sake it might be better to demo it and save the bricks.