Reinstating a capped chimney in Bath

[Singaporekid]

Hello PP’s!

New to the site and the forum - looks like a great resource with like-minded, helpful people…

We are buying a ground floor apartment in a town-centre Georgian property (with another 2-3 floors above us). There is one fireplace in the living room (may be another in adjacent bedroom) but we’ve been told the chimney in question has been capped, on account of (a) seagulls, and (b) smoke zone restrictions.

We are keen to recover the use of the chimney, however, and install a gas fireplace.

What are the chances of resuscitating a capped fireplace in this context? What experience have you had, and do you have any particular tips or recommendations…?

Thank you!

 

[malcolm]

You would cap a chimney by putting something over the top of it. The whole chimney won't be filled up. Should be a case of getting someone (or drone) up to the top of the chimney to see how it has been capped. At worst a new pot and flaunching cement should open it again (make sure to include something on the pot to keep the rain out).

There is a risk of leaks in chimneys and the gas professionals will likely insist on a liner of some sort to save the neighbours from carbon monoxide.

 

[alexander]

really depends on what has been done to cap it, it can be capped with cowls or a slab or cemented over either way its not really that difficult to open back up, then it can be capped again with the correct flue for the fire you are using

 

[Singaporekid]

You would cap a chimney by putting something over the top of it. The whole chimney won't be filled up. Should be a case of getting someone (or drone) up to the top of the chimney to see how it has been capped. At worst a new pot and flaunching cement should open it again (make sure to include something on the pot to keep the rain out).

There is a risk of leaks in chimneys and the gas professionals will likely insist on a liner of some sort to save the neighbours from carbon monoxide.

Malcolm, thank you for your thoughts and suggestions also re: drone - good idea!
And yes, we would certainly be running a liner up for a gas fire - we’ve done this successfully in a previous property.
Many thanks

 

[Singaporekid]

really depends on what has been done to cap it, it can be capped with cowls or a slab or cemented over either way its not really that difficult to open back up, then it can be capped again with the correct flue for the fire you are using

That’s great to know - much appreciated, Alexander. We imagined that the capping process would be ‘terminal’, but you’re giving us hope - thanks!

 

[CliffordPope]

Just a thought - does a ground floor flat "own" its individual flue all the way up to the chimney, or is the flue owned by the freeholder? Would uncapping it need permission?