Chimney

nicks43skr

Hi,

We opened up our fireplace a month or so ago and after some cosmetic work and having it both swept and tested by a certified sweep we used it for the first time last night and all was well.



Tonight we used it again and when I popped upstairs I could smell smoke which I traced to the loft and on climbing up there the smell was quite strong but I noticed a hole at the top of the chimney where a brick was missing.

Is this supposed to be there? Can I fill in with a brick and some mortar?

Would welcome advice.

Thank you

Fruittea

You shouldn't allow any smoke to enter the house. Brick it up and it should do it. Be aware carbon monoxide is toxic so don't take any chances. Worst case scenario you need to line the chimney - my sweep did a job for me and it cost £1K. So try the bricks and mortar first.

muckybutt

No the hole is not supposed to be there !

You could block it up with another brick and cement which would seal it, however I would strongly advise you get a sweep back to do a full pressure smoke test to see if the chimney stack is compromised elsewhere. This should be done by capping off the chimney pot then lighting a few smoke generators in the fire place, then a fan is introduced which pressurises the chimney blowing smoke up into allthe nooks and crannies. Any leakage will the be apparent.

Until the hole is blocked off and a full pressure test has been done DO NOT USE THE FIRE as you could be at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fruittea

Forgot to say if the place you're mortarting is subject to heat you should use fire retardant mortar.

Fruittea

Mucky butt is right. Say safe and brick it up - get it tested.

Mojisola

Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm? They're not expensive and could save your life.

nicks43skr

Hi,

Yes have a carbon monoxide alarm.

We immediately opened windows to clear the smell

I believe this is the only place smoke is entering.

Why is this there?

Would it be safe then to infill?

muckybutt

Could be a few reasons -

A blockage has been removed from there.
Ventillation if it was blocked up.
Damaged because of wear.
Failed chimney feathers.

Etc etc, which is why it is important you get it pressure tested, there could well be failures in the mid feathers which are the bricks in between chimneys, if the morter joints have gone then theres another place your chimney could be leaking.

Straight forward job to reline chimneys but not cheap so be warned in advance - as it stands at the moment your fire place is dangerous and as stated above under no circumstances use it.

Its ok having a co detector but do you have one in the bedroom as well ? It is recommended that where ever you have a fuel burning appliance you should have a co detector in that room and the room directly above if a flue runs through that room.

nicks43skr

Ok thank you for your advice

rustyboy21

Just don't think that by having a CO detector in the rooms will stop you needing to get the flue checked out and repaired, if you want to carry on using the fire.

Solid/wood fuel is as dangerous to use as a gas fire would be, so don't take chances.

The amount of people who think they can rely on a CO detector to alert them of dangerous fumes, instead of getting the remdial work done horrifies me. I have at least 1 a week saying' Oh it will be ok' NO it won't

nicks43skr

Hi,

No, wouldn't use a CO2 monitor in lieu of undertaking works.

My plan is to infill the brick that's missing as I believe this is the only place of smoke egress.

I will then run a small fire and use my CO2 monitor in the loft space.

I will also get a sweep to do a full pressure test.