Blocked fireplaces

mollsnan

We have had our bedroom and dining room fireplaces removed and blocked up for over 17 years without any problems. Or so we thought, redecorating dining room and removed paper to find a white fungus like substance on part of the lower wall. No problems whatsoever in any of the other rooms. Lounge fireplace is still open and allows for lighting of coal fire if required (about twice in 17 years!), and chimney has also been swept at intervals (last month) even when not in use. We have been told that the blocked up fireplaces should have had an air vent. Please advise anyone with similar experience.

Yorkie1

Was the substance sort of powdery when brushed off?

If so, from my very limited experience, it sounds like the symptoms of damp. I had this for years in a rented house, it went up to about 3' from ground level.

evilgoose

Is the chimney on an external wall? We get a black mold on a wall where we've got a blocked fireplace, the room upstairs has a vent in the wall, but the one downstairs (which gets the issue) doesnt. It's on an external wall which catches alot of the worst o the weather.

KateLiana27

mollsnan wrote: »

We have been told that the blocked up fireplaces should have had an air vent.

Yes, they should.

Good news is that it's cheap and easy to get one fitted. A standard builder or fireplace fitter will be able to do this for less than £50 all in. Maybe half that if they're already round to do other jobs.

mollsnan

Many thanks for your replies, will have problem dealt with as per your advice.

jastin

It is better option to block your chimney or fire place by using chimney balloons when not use fire place, it is also low cost process to use chimney balloons.