Preserving History
Chimneys are not just functional elements of a building, they also hold historical significance. Down here in Heritage Lane we understand the importance of preserving these architectural features to maintain the authenticity and character of period properties, but also the importance of maintaining them correctly.
Never Block Up Chimneys!
A huge number of traditional chimneys were removed from period buildings over the decades, and those that weren't often cause problems with damp and staining on the front and sides of the chimney breasts.
For some unknown reason today people appear to be frightened of fresh air, so chimneys get stuffed with old pillows, duvets and even these things called 'chimney sheep' and 'chimney balloons' which can now be bought! - but surely the occupants simply putting another jumper on is cheaper and quicker ... plus it won't cause the problems we've seen far too often.
Any disused chimney must always remain vented at both top and bottom ....
and by top, this means vented into the external atmosphere, not into the attic (which just transfers moisture into the roofspace, aiding the structural roof rafters in becoming softened and creating the perfect fine dining experience for wood boring beetles to gorge themselves upon.
Blocking up a chimney doesn't mean removing a chimney - the air trapped inside a capped and blocked chimney flue will still absorb and retain moisture and this moisture will condensate as it rises to the colder top of the capped flue, creating the perfect conditions for damp issues on, and around the chimney breast, mould spores to form (nice to breathe in!!!), interstitial condensation to form, internal softening and breakdown of the mortar holding the bricks together, and ultimately long term collapse.
Read our salts page also.
When that chimney flue was in use, a build up of internal soots, sulphates, nitrates and creosotes formed from what was burnt in the fireplace; and all of these get softened by the condensation that runs down the insides of a blocked chimney flue and are then carried out in solution, into your warmer rooms,where they appear as staining on the chimney breasts and surrounding walling, visible from inside your home, they can also spread next door in the case of a shared chimney which is not great for maintaining good neighbourly relations!
Correcting all of this damage is usually a long and costly process; there's no quick fixes - if you try to force dry it with dehumidifiers you can simply cause cracking in the brick structure of the chimney; you have to work with mother nature and let Her carry out her magic, in her own time.
SO the best advice is don't block them up, or cap them off in the first place!
Gallows Brackets!
Over the years we've seen an obsession with people wanting a tiny bit more floorspace and they think that removing chimney breastsis a great idea, but we think it's a completely insane idea! Even more so when they have the chimney breast removed and the rest of the chimney supported on a couple of gallows brackets fixed with a couple of bolts; are people really that deluded? Well Yes appears to be the answer!
lhere's another one of our vids taken from a property which had just been mortgaged by a first time buyer. One thing to keep in mind as you watch this: Each brick, with it's associated mortar weighs around 2.3 kilos. This means that every 100 bricks weighs in at ¼ of a metric tonne! Yet people think a couple of bolts, holding a couple of metal brackets is a clever idea.
So here's a question for all you psychotic people out there to think about: how many lives will be lost once that comes crashing through your house? People are very, very dangerous indeed!
Always employ the services of a Stductural Engineer and also notify Building control that you are removing a structural element of the building!
Then enjoy the extra couple of ft² that you create. MIND BOGGLING!
Contact us, if you need any help or guidance.
Please don't think you can just ignore it.