Burnt wood in ceiling

Joined
21 Aug 2006
Messages
307
Reaction score
3
Location
Buckinghamshire
Country
United Kingdom
Hello all
Today i took down my lathe and plaster celing ready for a new ceiling to be out up and above my fireplace we noticed that the wood that looks to be holding up the stone hearth upstairs is burnt and black.
How can this be. Is it anything to worry about?
I have put a pic below for any advice possible?

Thanks all

bc432c35.png
 
Sponsored Links
The picture is not clear - is it the floorboards which are black, and do they go into the wall?

Is this just black soot or actual charring?

And do you use the fire in the room above?
 
drag a blunt instrument across the boards like a screwdriver if it drags off the more than surface depth its charred
if the damages is less than 2mm then it may be coating rather than charred wood
 
Sponsored Links
You should have something like this to support the hearth. Flues are more likely to leak between floors or in the roof space as there is often no render over them and also the leaks are less likely to be spotted. The fact that soot is getting on to the joists is telling you something about it's condition.
 
hi everyone
its not the floor boards that are black it looks like skirting board that may have been added after but i am not sure why its burnt.
i have added some more pics to aid in seeing what i can see.
i could put them away and see the concrete slap (hearth from the bedroom).
I might buy a pete log and burn it today and see if any smoke escapes from that area.

cheers all

P1010310.jpg

P1010309.jpg

P1010308.jpg

P1010307.jpg

P1010306.jpg

P1010305.jpg
 
Hi all
I took the advice and got an expoert in and he looked and said straight away there is nothing to worry about.

The flue for the down stairs chimney would not be there as it goes to the side as the bedroom fireplace is above.
He said the reason the wood is scorched is that the bedroom fireplace has been run far to hot in the past and has caused the wood to smoulder and over the years burn away.
the hearth from the bedroom above is only 2inches thick and not thick enough for excessive heat.

He recomended to fill in the hole that the wood above was resting on with concrete and i can either remove the hearth or just re support it with new wood.
or just remove it.

Man it feels good to have your mind put at rest.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top