Chimney condition

[scantronic]

hi there
Do my two rear chimney stacks look ok as I'm a bit concerned about them especially the rear one and is there anything that could be causing the to crumble (second image is photoshopped so you can see the brickwork more clearly)

 

[Crystalclear]

Long term wear and tear with winds, hot and cold cracking, and very slow material failure is what causes some to give in and 'collapse'

Looking at your chimney, all you need is a good dry day, and the brick pointing ground out, followed by 1:2 cement :sand mixture troweled in. Make sure all the dust is washed/brushed out.

Once it's dried, get a tin of thomposons water seal and brush it in.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/thompsons...nd Adhesives&gclid=CID7tJn8-8YCFYvHtAod6M4FSg

 

[scantronic]

Ok thank you, is the closest one crumbling because a gas fire and back boiler and connected to it? And the rear one has a large wood burner connected to it, are they safe to use?

 

[Crystalclear]

Ok, hummm, so you're asking if the heat from the wood burner is playing a part in the slow disintegration of the bricks?

In a nutshell? No.

At the most, the heat will make them very slightly warm to the touch outside, if that.

Hot and cold cracking that I was referring to was the outside weather condition, as they're open to the elements.

 

[Crystalclear]

Also have the Flaunching looked at. Once that gets a gaping crack it let's water in and it doesn't help keep the rain water out.

Is this something you've planning on taking on yourself?
If you've decided to call in a 'Roofer' it's paramount that you know of him, or at the least you have a good reference prior to letting them up there; bad roofers = unexpected large bill or work. :/

 

[scantronic]

Ok thank you I was planning of doing it myself, just a quick question when I have my gas fire on in my living room does the air coming out of the chimney pot feel warm, the chimney is not lined and just brick
Thanks again you are a real help

 

[Crystalclear]

Hummm, good question. I'm not a Gas Safety expert on chimney linings etc.

Your gas fire heat should be warm, yes. In the context that it might be affecting the structure of the bricks? Technically impossible I'd say.

Don't hesitate to ask question.

 

[kazuya]

gas fire chimney should really be lined because of fumes, and so should the wood burner one because it will get tar and soot build up, the opening will get narrower and there's a chance it will catch fire, so make sure its swept regularly.

 

[scantronic]

Ok thanks
This is my first house, the gas fire has the original chimney pot on the top so I assume that it's not lined and I haven't had the chimney swept for the wood burner I've just been using it the past days for burning corrugated roof sections and the remains of a rotten shed I will get it swept one day soon, I assume the other gas fire and boiler chimney is lined because it has the proper gas chimney pot, ok I have just checked the dining room and that has an open fire too, how can I smoke test a chimney without smoke pellets?

 

[kazuya]

be safe and use smoke pellets, £3.29 for 10 from screwfix

 

[scantronic]

That's cheap does no harm, I was thinking about burning paper in a pan in the fireplace but I will just get the smoke pellets, thank you all so much I really appreciate this help

 

[Nige F]

Get the gas fire serviced asap and the boiler too by a Gas Safe engineer . Probably best to get a HETAS bod for the woodburner - get a price or 2 for that - Gas bods are usually about = for their servicing costs but h'tas..............another story

 

[scantronic]

Ok thank you
I will phone sometime this week and arrange it
Thanks again

 

[scantronic]

An update....
I'm getting the gas fire and the boiler serviced this week and another guy in to service the word burner and the other open fire and sweep the chimneys

Thank you all for all your help I really appreciate it

 

[Bilabong007]

You really need to think about the wood you burn. It shouldn't be treated wood (old shed...!) or over a moisture content of 20%.

Please read the wood burner manual and more about how to operate a stove correctly or you will definitely cause you and your neighbours probs.

Graeme