What to do with Chimney?

Vickicb

Hi all,

We are in a 1930's house and the lounge has an open fire, which the previous owner used regularly. We don't want to use it, but want to clean it up and leave it as an original feature - it's a walnut surround and tiles which are quite nice and in perfect condition.

The problem is that the room is very dusty - I assume this is mainly due to the chimney. Will having it swept reduce this? what is a "vacume" sweep - are they better?

I also want to clean up the grate and I wondered if there is some kind of paint I can use on the back inside the fireplace itself to make it look cleaner - does that make sense?

Any other tips?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

never_enough

Sweeping may help, our sweep uses brushes, but attached to a vacuum type thing. Not sure why or what it does, but it seems much less mess than a previous sweep used to make.
You can get a thing called a chimney balloon which goes up your chimney. Once inflated it stops draughts, bird poop, dust, dead birds etc. I just used a black bin bag filled with old bubble wrap/packing when I wanted to block off a fireplace in a previous place which did the trick.
Not sure if you can get a specific paint for the firebrick, but you can get blacking for the metalwork. Oddly enough I find that after a very hot fire it often looks much cleaner. Or use a stiff bristle brush.
Then 'artfully' place your tasteful, lovingly beachcombed driftwood or whatever in the grate & you're sorted!

ormus

get the chimney swept and cap off the top.
but you will have to accept some dust etc over the yrs. its impossible to clean the flue really clean.
for black, ive used shoe polish. works great.
you could try blackboard paint?

Vickicb

Great replies - thanks very much!