salts visible on chimney breast

[alisonB]

Hi
I have a cast iron fireplace in my dining room which looks like a complete unit -the back & front riveted together
I think the inside of the chimney breast would benefit from having a good clean out -probably rubble and sort in there for well over 100years
is the only way to do this by removing the fireplace?
is it easy to put back if that's the only option
thank you for any advice

 

[Lacan07]

Hi, that's a nice fireplace!

They're usually screwed or bolted in either side and at the top, you may need to remove lining paper or plaster to find the fixings. What you see is what it is, there's nothing behind, other than rubble most likely.

Where are the salts? Historically the soot would interact with the lime mortar and create salts which tends to suck the moisture out the air. Sometimes the salts will trace the line of the flu as it ascends. Generally its not seen as a problem, some might lime the wall to allow the moisture to escape and others might use special paints to try and hide it.

 

[alisonB]

thank you for taking the time to reply
Its prong to be a big problem as trying to sell my house & wondered if there was something I could do to resolve the issue -there are a 1000 damp proofing companies here in Portsmoith that can't wait to inject it
do you mind be asking what is the special paint called

 

[Lacan07]

thank you for taking the time to reply
Its prong to be a big problem as trying to sell my house & wondered if there was something I could do to resolve the issue -there are a 1000 damp proofing companies here in Portsmoith that can't wait to inject it
do you mind be asking what is the special paint called

Is it really that noticeable?

Others on here will have more experience but Zinsser are a much loved brand that produce problem solving paints.

 

[Lacan07]

thank you for taking the time to reply
Its prong to be a big problem as trying to sell my house & wondered if there was something I could do to resolve the issue -there are a 1000 damp proofing companies here in Portsmoith that can't wait to inject it
do you mind be asking what is the special paint called

I think its worth noting if the damp is extensive it could be anything from rising damp, condensation or sweating from lack of ventilation, or salts as we've already mentioned. Hiding it won't necessarily be the answer in all scenarios.

 

[a twig]

Agree with Lacan - if the walls / floors around the area aren't damp then personally I'd just give it a good going over with a wire brush to get all the salt off and remove any loose bits of rust / finish and then liberally apply stove black:

Black Stove and Grate Polish | Rustins

A water based polish suitable for wood/coal stoves, grates and surrounds. It is particularly useful for covering rust spots and paint chips....

www.rustins.ltd

Is the fireplace functional?