Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Checking a chimney

  • 06-09-2016 2:06pm
    #1
    Auric Goldfinger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭


    I bought a house which is approx. 20 years old. It does not appear that a fire was ever lit in the fireplace and it's blocked up at the bottom with something plastic/cardboard which appears to be removable. My guess is that it was put there to stop draughts coming down the chimney.

    I'd like to light fires in this fireplace but don't want to do it until someone checks it out. My question is this - who should I be asking to check the chimney? Are there any potential issues with an unused chimney other than debris?


Comments

  • #2
    Sleepy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,366 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    I'd be getting an unknown chimney swept before lighting it anyway so I'd have assumed a chimney sweep would be the goto guy here?


  • #3
    gutteruu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭gutteruu


    Get a chimney sweep for a few quid but if its never been lit it should be fine. Just make sure you ramp up the fires very gently. Small fires for first few days. If you are really paranoid you can get a camera survey done for about 200.


  • #4
    stuka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭stuka


    gutteruu wrote: »
    Get a chimney sweep for a few quid but if its never been lit it should be fine. Just make sure you ramp up the fires very gently. Small fires for first few days. If you are really paranoid you can get a camera survey done for about 200.

    i am looking at getting a survey done on the chimney of a 1930's house where there hasn't been an open fire for many years and I am worried that there could be cracks in the flue as the house was in pretty poor condition when we bought it. Can you recommend anyone in particular in the greater Dublin area?


  • #5
    gutteruu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭gutteruu


    stuka wrote: »
    i am looking at getting a survey done on the chimney of a 1930's house where there hasn't been an open fire for many years and I am worried that there could be cracks in the flue as the house was in pretty poor condition when we bought it. Can you recommend anyone in particular in the greater Dublin area?

    Sorry it was midlands where I got it done. You could ask a local insurance assessor. They use them daily.


  • #6
    PMBC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,112 ✭✭✭PMBC


    Auric Goldfinger wrote: »
    I bought a house which is approx. 20 years old. It does not appear that a fire was ever lit in the fireplace and it's blocked up at the bottom with something plastic/cardboard which appears to be removable. My guess is that it was put there to stop draughts coming down the chimney.

    I'd like to light fires in this fireplace but don't want to do it until someone checks it out. My question is this - who should I be asking to check the chimney? Are there any potential issues with an unused chimney other than debris?

    Chimneys - one of the big problem areas.
    Look at chimney stack from outside, binoculars if possible; look for cracking in the capping, check height above ridge and look at nearby trees, two-storey houses etc. Next check chimney in attic space and look for cracking and staining there. Get a long electrical lead with bulb and lamp and you should be able to see condition of flues. That's if it is flued - its startling the number of older poorly built houses where there is just a chimney pot/s. Light a small fire, a few briquettes, and when, if, it starts to draw, pull/close the room door sharply. If you get a puff of smoke coming back into the room then the room is (almost) airtight and needs a vent.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement