Chimney sweeping - general questions!

travel_freak

Hi,

I'm new to having fireplaces. They're in a Victorian house. One of them keeps emitting black dust and bits into the room - esp when it's windy. There is a metal sort of plate in the bit where the chimney goes up but it doesn't close the gap completely.

I'm probably unlikely to use it as an open fire but want to keep the fire - just want to stop the rubbish and grit coming through all the time.

Should I have it swept even if I don't plan to use it and would this clean out all the grunge once and for all?

Also (or alternatively) is there anything I could do to stop up the hole better so that nothing falls down it?

Sorry, clueless as you can probably tell!!

Many thanks in advance.

steveo3002

stuff some news papers up the hole , should seal it off but you can still pull them out if you need to use it

Baileys_Babe

You could alternativly use a chimney ballon.

jenny-wren

I would get the chimney swept and then get a chimney balloon. It looks a bit like the bag you get inside a box of wine. You put it up the chimney and then inflate it. It seals the gap and stops dust, dirt and soot coming down the chimney.

Alternatively you could get a cap put on your chimney pot if you don't plan to use the fire - but don't forget it's there if you decide to light a fire - that could be very messy!

wendylove

I have a similar problem with soot coming down an unused fireplace.

Do you not need to leave a vent in the chimney?

Igol

Yes.
If you dont have an airflow you'll get damp eventually.
You've a big hole in the roof that rainwater is going to come down.
If you're getting soot falls when its windy then I'd say it does need a good sweeping. And its the worst job in the world.

travel_freak

Hi

Just a quick note to say many thanks for all the helpful replies.

I'd never heard of a chimney balloon - this sounds like a great idea as it's not a permanent thing in case I should decide to light the fire one day. I'll google that to get some more info.

Thanks once again!

travel_freak

Hi

Coming back to this, if I get the chimney swept before adding the chimney balloon please does anyone know roughly how much it costs to have a chimney swept these days and is it going to create a terrible mess in the room....!!

Many thx!

macman

If it's properly done by a professional sweep then it will not create any mess at all.
As stated above, you do need to maintain the airflow in the chimney, otherwise the rainwater which inevitably gets in will not be able to escape and you wil soon get damp problems.
Old chimneys willl continue to shed some debris even after sweeping, as the mortar/lining deteriorates over time, but proper sweeping will remove most of the debris.

travel_freak

Hi

Many thanks Macman - that'a s relief, I had visions of black soot everywhere for weeks ....pls have you any idea on the going rate at all for a chimney sweep?

Canucklehead

travel_freak wrote: »

Hi

Many thanks Macman - that'a s relief, I had visions of black soot everywhere for weeks ....pls have you any idea on the going rate at all for a chimney sweep?

Good morning: Find a HETAS approved chimney sweep here and ask for a quote/pose your questions.

HTH

Canucklehead