What's this stuff in my fireplace?

Gregor Samsa

The recent high winds have resulted on a load of debris accumulating in my fireplace. It looks like small white chunks of polystyrene, but on closer inspection, they have a sort of metallic sheen, and seem to be made in a construction of very thin sheets. Unlike polystyrene, if you squeeze one, it compresses and doesn't return to its original shape at all.

My fear is that it's some kind of insulation material from behind the flu liner, and it indicates damage in the chimney.

Can anyone identify it?

I've attached a couple of photos.

bbam

phutyle wrote: »

The recent high winds have resulted on a load of debris accumulating in my fireplace. It looks like small white chunks of polystyrene, but on closer inspection, they have a sort of metallic sheen, and seem to be made in a construction of very thin sheets. Unlike polystyrene, if you squeeze one, it compresses and doesn't return to its original shape at all.

My fear is that it's some kind of insulation material from behind the flu liner, and it indicates damage in the chimney.

Can anyone identify it?

I've attached a couple of photos.

Thats Vermiculite..
Your right its a thermal insulation used to fill between the flu and the outer chimney..
Its also used to top up behind the fireback, my guess is there was a downdraught and it shifted some from behind the fireback down into the grate..

It doesnt look like much so I wouldnt worry.. If your concerned just pop your hand up over the top of the fireback, it should be near level with the top of it.. if there isnt much behind the fireback it may crack when you have a fire lit.. You can just fill it back up by hand..

It replaces the old sand/lime mix that was used before in the past..

scudo2

+1 on that correct opinion.