Caring for Limestone Fireplaces

by_the_fireside

Hi Libra10,

Further to my last post regarding your particular fireplace problem, I took the time to have a chat with another colleague of mine, as I felt there could be another issue..

:exclamati We would advise that you immediately get a CO tester!!

It could be the case, that Carbon Monoxide is spilling into the room and therefore causing a serious health hazard!!!

Obviously, without seeing your particular fireplace, we wouldn't be able to say for sure, but it could be the case!!

Another thing... And I really don't wanna sound like a killjoy or anything, but a reason why you are getting a soot build-up and therefore a possible CO leak, could be because your Flue is faulty...

:sad: If your Flue is faulty and possibly not pulling the smoke up correctly, then smoke could spill into the room!!

Causing:

a. A stain to your stone

and more urgently!!

b. A possible CO leak!


Now assuming you have either checked that you don't have a CO problem, or an engineer, has checked that you don't have one, or you did have one and now have sorted it...

How to remove the stain?

:rolleyes: mmm, :rolleyes:

This is a tricky one... If the soot is in the stone, then there are some good power cleaners on the market, that would draw some of the soot out, probably without damaging the stone... Ask your local fireplace shop for a good brand!

Obviously, you may never remove the stain totally, but after a few sessions with the cleaning product, you may get up to 80% out

:exclamati More importantly check the health hazards, and get an engineer to look at the reasons why you are getting a soot build up!!!

:dance: Alternatively, get a fireplace shop to remove the stain for you, although they may still only get up to 80% of the soot out and you will have the added financial costs!!!

Good luck and please tell me the outcome :rolleyes:

Buck

libra10

Hello Buck
Thank you very much for your detailed reply, much appreciated.

Regarding a possible CO leakage, we have had the 'Brilliant' gas fire serviced and checked by a Corgi registered engineer, and no faults were found. At his suggestion we had an extra vent fitted to help air flow. Next time the fire is serviced we will ask for extra attention to be paid to the flu. When we had coal fires we always had problems with smoke flowing back down the chimney, although we didn't have the current fireplace then.

As you suggested, I will ask at the local DIY shop whether they have any products to remove or decrease the sooty stain and see what they can advise.

I really appreciate all the time and trouble you've taken to help with my query. Thank you so much.

Best wishes

Duck

Hi Buck,

Thank you so much for all your helpful advice. I was dreading installing the fireplace, I just want it to be perfect and was worried I will do something wrong. Especially with the fireplace being the centre point of my room.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to educate me. Much appreciated

Em

by_the_fireside

Hi Em, Hi Libra, :rolleyes:

Thankyou both ever so much for your kind replies.. It is my pleasure to help!!

If you require any further assistance, then please do feel free to message me ok :j !!!

Have a good week!

Buck

londoncarl

Hi Buck,

I read your advice on fireplace care and when I saw your comment on not plastering near a limestone fireplace... and I went oops, because not only did our plasterer plaster near the fireplace but he failed to cover it and now there are a lot of plaster blobs on the ‘cream’ limestone fireplace. I have not even attempted to clean it yet. But if you have any tips on a serious cleaning I would much appreciate it.

Many Thanks

agent_orange_2

Hi Buck, I have recently had a limestone fireplace fitted. Could you tell me, should I seal the fireplace - is there a limestone sealer recommended for this job, such as you might use on limestone tiles.

thanks for any help

by_the_fireside

Hi There,

I will have to make two replies into one, as I have been a bit busy lately :beer:

Err..

Londoncarl Question

Hi Buck,

I read your advice on fireplace care and when I saw your comment on not plastering near a limestone fireplace... and I went oops, because not only did our plasterer plaster near the fireplace but he failed to cover it and now there are a lot of plaster blobs on the ‘cream’ limestone fireplace. I have not even attempted to clean it yet. But if you have any tips on a serious cleaning I would much appreciate it.

Many Thanks

I hope this is not too late.. :rolleyes:

With stains like this, you MUST Clean off as soon as you can!

Steps to take...

1. Gently ease off any lumps.

2. Wash and scrub effected areas with clean slighty soapy water until as much as possible of the plastery marks have gone.

3. Don’t spread it if you can avoid so.

4. Don’t soak everything - as little water as possible must be used!

Please let me know the outcome??


Agent Orange Question

Hi Buck, I have recently had a limestone fireplace fitted. Could you tell me, should I seal the fireplace - is there a limestone sealer recommended for this job, such as you might use on limestone tiles.

thanks for any help

Yes its ok to use a sealer that also seals limestone tiles and says so on the pack!

Check out your local fireplace show / showroom for their advice on available products! :j


Take care all,

Buck :cool:

Larvin

Hi Buck

I was reading your advice about looking after limestone surrounds. We are just about to get one fitted by a registered installer. Can you tell me what is the best way to fit them as we have been told 2 ways?

The first is to dig into the wall palster and then make good the plaster around the stone once fitted.
The second is to use adhesive, screws and wire (and not re plaster).

I was just wondering if the first way could stain the surround with the new plaster??

Thanks

Larvin

jasmin10

What a fantastic thread. Does all the advice that you posted in the very first thread apply to resin fireplaces as well?

birdiemad

Hello Buck I am so pleased to see your expertise on here - so much so I signed up to post this so I am no longer just a lurker!

Anyway we had a gorgeous Cotswold limestone fireplace fitted a couple of years ago and it is my pride and joy. However while we were out over Christmas my son decided to light candles around the fireplace which have left sooty stains. I have not attempted to clean them with anything because I was afraid to make them worse. I would be so grateful for your advice so I can get my lovely fireplace back to its original condition.

Thank you so much.