stain on chimney breast

watsinaname

A round stain has developed on my chimney breast in the last few weeks. It's an open fire, the chimney has been swept and its not in use much.

What and why has this happened , does anyone know?

GlynD

Sounds like your flue is sweating. That could mean a breach in it. I'd call in a builder to examine it.

watsinaname

Thats what i was thinking Glen.

I'm in a rented property so i'm trying to sort it out with the landlord. I get all the fumes and soot back into the property so somethings not right.

If he can't sort it himself he tends to ignore problems with the property. If i could come up with an answer to the problem then he may do something about it...... i hope.

GlynD

watsinaname wrote: »

Thats what i was thinking Glen.

I'm in a rented property so i'm trying to sort it out with the landlord. I get all the fumes and soot back into the property so somethings not right.

If he can't sort it himself he tends to ignore problems with the property. If i could come up with an answer to the problem then he may do something about it...... i hope.

This could be a health and safety matter. I'd be inclined to speak to the council. If the flue isn't fitted correctly or if it's too long, that could explain the sweating. Something isn't right by the sound of it. Having just sorted out ours I have a lot of this fresh in my mind but I own this property and was able to make my own decisions.

A lot depends on the age of the proerty too. If it's very old the chimney may not have a liner/flue. Are there any trees nearby? Is the smoke problem any worse in high winds?

watsinaname

It is a health and safety thing i know but reluctant to go down that road because i might be evicted.

The house i'd guess is probably victorian. there are no tree's nearby and it smoke/fumes/soot come into room whatever the weather. I've an inspection this week by the letting agent so thought if i had some kind of answer to present them then i may get something done about it. All i get is ...ummm i dont know why that is happening.

GlynD

watsinaname wrote: »

It is a health and safety thing i know but reluctant to go down that road because i might be evicted.

The house i'd guess is probably victorian. there are no tree's nearby and it smoke/fumes/soot come into room whatever the weather. I've an inspection this week by the letting agent so thought if i had some kind of answer to present them then i may get something done about it. All i get is ...ummm i dont know why that is happening.

They can't evict you because the house has a fault. Speak to environmental health at the local council. Tell them who the letting agent is and it'll get fixed.

watsinaname

Have been down that road Glyn and because of the threat of eviction it had been advise to not make a fuss. I have applied to the local council for housing but again, can't help.

Have been advised to go down the road of softly softly in the hope that this and other problems with the property are sorted out.

GlynD

If that's how you feel then what more can I say?

muckybutt

Chimney woes.....

Firstly get it swept. Sweep should tell you if there is an obstruction or not and do a smoke test once swept.

It sounds like the stain is merely the soot / creosote leeching through the brickwork, very common in old unlined chimneys.

With reference to getting smoke backdraughts, you say you dont use the chimney much ? sounds very much like you have waht is known as a cold chimney ! sounds daft, but chimneys that are used infrequently get cold and damp, a cold / damp chimney wont draw very well and you will get smoke etc coming back into your room. To alleviate the problem light small fires on a regular basis to get some warmth back into the chimney, when you start a fire start it small with a few bits of kindling and some coal then gradually build it up. Once the chimney is warm it should draw considerably better and start to dry out, you will probably have to light several fires before it starts to get better.

I have to admit going the Health and Safety route is a bit ott, get it swept first then go from there.