Asbestos in fire place??

[Scott Taylor]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could help me and take a look at the below pictures please?

This cement type stuff has fallen out from our fireplace, it seems to be around the flue on the outside of the flu as you look up from within the fire place and is a crumbling sandy texture.

It happened after my wife decide it would be a good idea to hammer nails into the actual fireplace to hang stuff on which I am guessing has loosened whatever this material is.

There is still quite a bit left and if you touch it then it literally crumbles off.

My main concern is obviously asbestos. Does anyone know what it is? from what i have looked at online i think it could be some type of fire cement?

I should say the fireplace is out of use we dont use it but want to make sure this stuff is safe because it is open

Thanks in advance.

 

[foxhole]

Looks like fire cement, you can't id asbestos from a pic. But would normally be used in sheet form.

 

[Scott Taylor]

Thanks for replying I appreciate you taking the time.

I am pretty new to DIY etc only brought my first house a year a go so having to learn fast!

I dont know anything about fire places and it is difficult to find out much on the general internet which is why I thought I would try here!

When you say board would that be a board of asbestos behind the brick as in being heat resistnet for the wall?

This stuff is around the flue when you look up from inside the fireplace almost like its cement holding the flu in place. I am not plannong on ever using the fire place again but just want to make sure its safe. It crumbles even with light touch, would you leave it or would you go over it with mortar or anything to cover it up and seal it?

Also is that not an area in a fire place where you would expect asbestos then? I am guessing it would be boards at the back or sides behind the bricks or the actual flue itself?

Sorry for all the questions but I do appreciate your help!!

 

[HawkEye244]

If I was you I would contact an environmental services company and get a sample out to them to test. In the mean time focus on other areas of the house.

Generally to test a sample will be between £10-15.

 

[^woody^]

Asbestos was not used for that purpose in the UK. It's normal cement or fire cement mortar parging to the flue. Normal for all flues.

 

[kazuya]

Asbestos was not used for that purpose in the UK. It's normal cement or fire cement mortar parging to the flue. Normal for all flues.

what he said

 

[footprints]

It does look like normal render, if you want to get it tested to put you mind at rest it's up to you.

Some fire cements may have contained it, but they are small tins used for sealing flue pipes and firebricks around the grate itself, not the sort of stuff you apply as a render. The fire clay / cement I am talking about stays hard and brittle not crumbly.