Sandy material coming down chimney

[mjl34]

Dear all,
Any help / advice much appreciated!
I have sandy debris arriving in my fire grate regularly. On occaision there are 'lumps' of the material that have sometimes had a blackedned face to them suggestive of chimney lining? This in an open chimney in a living room, fire has not been used since I move to the property 1 year ago. Property is a 1928 brick brick built arts and crafts style home.
Any ideas on seriousness of the potenital problem and ideas on remedy / recommendations of experts to approach (Nottinghamshire area).
All the best,
Mike

 

[another_richard]

Happened to me a bit usually after a seagull decides to pop down.

It is up to you how serious you take it. I have personally ignored the bits of lining coming away as I have not experienced any smokey leaks in the breast.

I think you can get it checked out, try by an expert with a videocamera or attach your mobile phone on a stick and record up 't'chimney.

 

[Tom]

This in an open chimney in a living room, fire has not been used since I move to the property 1 year ago.

Did you have the chimney swept before you started using it? If so, that should have removed any loose material. If not... :shock: All chimneys and flues should be swept each year (but book early...our sweep has a 2 month waiting list at the moment!!). It does sound like the lining coming away. It needs checking and may need repairing / replacing. Sorry

 

[robgil]

does it even have a lining? is the material damp? whats the outside of the chimney look like?

 

[MdB]

This in an open chimney in a living room, fire has not been used since I move to the property 1 year ago.

Did you have the chimney swept before you started using it? If so, that should have removed any loose material. If not... :shock: All chimneys and flues should be swept each year (but book early...our sweep has a 2 month waiting list at the moment!!). It does sound like the lining coming away. It needs checking and may need repairing / replacing. Sorry

Errm, the chimney isn't being used so doesn't need to be swept.

If it cheers you up Mike, we have a large amount of stuff coming down our chimney. This is due to our chimney being unlined and in a very poor state. Next year, hopefully I will be able to get it lined and a stove installed.

 

[Tom]

This in an open chimney in a living room, fire has not been used since I move to the property 1 year ago.

Did you have the chimney swept before you started using it? If so, that should have removed any loose material. If not... :shock: All chimneys and flues should be swept each year (but book early...our sweep has a 2 month waiting list at the moment!!). It does sound like the lining coming away. It needs checking and may need repairing / replacing. Sorry

Errm, the chimney isn't being used so doesn't need to be swept.

Sorry, I read it wrong

 

[CatherineB]

If the fire isn't being used, I think I'm right in saying the chimney ought to be capped so the rain can't get in. If it ain't capped, and there is no heat from fires drying out the chimney, then water getting in the top soaks into the lining and it comes away.

Happened to ours, which is in a fine old mess, and resulted in damp in the loft conversion chimney wall. We capped the chimney and it has gradually dried out, but there is so much c**p in the fireplaces we just don't want to investigate :shock:

 

[chuckey]

That dry sandy stuff is , err, sand . Its the remains of the mortar after the acid tars from the flue have reacted with what ever lime there was in it. Its a fairly sure way of saying your flue is likely to leak smoke if it isn't doing it now.
Frank

 

[robgil]

so how do you point the inside of a chimney? from the outside?

 

[MdB]

so how do you point the inside of a chimney? from the outside?

See the "Family News" thread....

 

[robgil]

:lol: another thread well and truly off topic then?

just read it , have i missed it? i couldnt see anything about pointing chimneys.

 

[Flyfisher]

I recall there was a reference to sending small children up chimneys . . .

 

[Lime]

If the chimney is not being used and the amount of fall is small I wouldn't worry whatsoever.
I'd expect some fall in an unused grate.
All quite normal.

Most chimneys were used pre 50s and no amount of sweeping removes all the debris anyway.

Those that use their chimneys now don't normally see the fall because of all the other dust.

 

[robgil]

I recall there was a reference to sending small children up chimneys . . .

aaah ,no good im afraid, cant get enough mortar in their pockets.