Remove a brick from (never-used) chimney in loft?

Most homes on that tiny island nation were constructed (poorly) by drunken englishmen. Removing a single brick from your shanty could cause the entire neighborhood to collapse.

Not that I can think of, I can't imagine that it will provide a huge amount of airflow so if you do need more ventilation in the roof space (do you?) I'd have thought a more rigorous method would be called for.

David

Remember the motto: If it an't broke don't fix it.

In article , snipped-for-privacy@zaax.org writes

The motto is actually don't feed the trolls, unless you want them to breed that is.

The loft is cold and has no deliberate ventilation - the roof has gyproc sarking and felt. We have had fog for the last 3 days and down to -3 C and the old dial indicator in the loft indicates 85% humidity. The temperature in the loft is generally a couple of degrees above the outside in winter. The skylight in the roof above the loft hatch is cast iron and single glazed and streaming with condensation. The loft hatch has a rubber seal and the bathroom light is enclosed so I don't think there is two much moisture introduced from the house.

There lies my problem - I believe the soffit board is asbestos cement so removal/replacement would not be a DIY option and I don't fancy trying to drill a load of 70mm holes in it...

(had to use google groups to post this as getting 441 437 errors trying to use normal eternal september)

I did this, not to ventilate the loft (for which this won't make any significant difference), but to ventilate the flue. If any of the other flues in the stack are in use, then you need to have them leak tested to ensure they aren't leaking into the flue you are opening up. Having done this, it was also very useful to drop cables from the loft down in to the dining room (in my case). I have wire mesh over the opening to prevent any animals going through it in either direction. I actually only took out half a brick, and carefully chose one which wouldn't weaken the stack, which is corbelled all through the loft.

Some years later, I had scafolding up the outside to the top of the stack, and then put in a proper air brick near the top of the flue, which should have been put in 25 years earlier when the flue was blocked off. The vent in the loft was a temporary measure until I had access to the outside, although I've left it open too.

I did it today and decided that 1/2 brick (+ mortar gap) provided a reasonable sized hole. Can feel a bit of a draught now. May rig up an old PSU 240v fan to extract into it.

Thanks to all for replies.