Dismantle Pillar

whodafunk · 09-05-2025 08:18PM #1

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 · 09-05-2025 09:03PM

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 · 09-05-2025 11:12PM

Thank you very much for your reply back.

dathi · 10-05-2025 07:46AM

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 · 10-05-2025 09:22AM

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

elperello · 10-05-2025 10:25AM

Would you consider giving the whole job to one person ?

mrslancaster · 10-05-2025 10:33AM

Delete

The Continental Op · 10-05-2025 11:58AM

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 · 12-05-2025 02:46PM

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 · 12-05-2025 03:15PM

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.

whodafunk · 07-12-2025 02:46PM

Just to update for anyone else I took the pillar out myself- simple task 40mins at most. The most difficult part was the removal of hedge roots. Got someone to rebuild me a new pillar for €450 so all in all happy with the outcome.

perryboy · 07-12-2025 02:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058409421/dismantle-pillar

Depends entirely on the mortar condition. If it's old lime mortar, relatively easy to chisel out carefully. Modern cement mortar makes it much harder to keep bricks intact.You'll need a bolster chisel and club hammer, work slowly from the top down, and expect to lose maybe 20-30% of bricks even if you're careful. The cap usually comes off easier than the pillar itself. Honestly though, if you're hiring someone to rebuild it anyway, why not just have them do the whole job? The labor cost difference between dismantling and full removal/rebuild isn't that much, and you avoid the risk of damaging bricks you're trying to save.

Dismantle Pillar

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