Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

blocking up fireplace / flue on 1970s house

69 views
Skip to first unread message

David Robinson

unread,
May 5, 2010, 7:51:42 AM5/5/10
to
I'm replacing a Gas fire with an electric one.

A Gas Safe engineer has disconnected the gas fire, and I have
gleefully smashed out the hideous 1970s fireplace.

I'm left with a large area of wall that needs plastering, and a small
sooty back plate with flue heading up at the back.

There's no chimney breast - the whole lot is flush, with the flue
going inside the party wall.

Neighbour tells me it's a 5" flue, going to an (asbestos covered)
chimney pipe sticking out through the roof tiles on top. Top is
covered, vents at the side.

I don't need or want the flue. I've read that blocked-up flues should
be ventilated, but if this is just a pipe (rather than brick, or
structual), can I just block it off at the bottom? If so, how?

If I need to vent it, it'll sit behind a fire, pretty much enclosed -
will this be a problem? I don't want soot (or whatever) falling down
behind the fire, never mind blowing around the edge of the new mantle
piece and leaving stains on the wall.

TIA.

Cheers,
David.

Toby

unread,
May 5, 2010, 12:26:41 PM5/5/10
to

"David Robinson" <davidr...@postmaster.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c52390be-5394-4759...@o14g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...

When you say you have gleefully smashed out the hideous 1970s fireplace, I
assume that doesn't mean you have just smashed out the chimney breast
yourself does it!?

A picture would probably help, uploaded to http://tinypic.com/ or
wherever...

Toby...


Owain

unread,
May 5, 2010, 1:38:11 PM5/5/10
to
On 5 May, 12:51, David Robinson wrote:
> I don't need or want the flue. I've read that blocked-up flues should
> be ventilated, but if this is just a pipe (rather than brick, or
> structual), can I just block it off at the bottom? If so, how?
> If I need to vent it, it'll sit behind a fire, pretty much enclosed -
> will this be a problem? I don't want soot (or whatever) falling down
> behind the fire, never mind blowing around the edge of the new mantle
> piece and leaving stains on the wall.

Could you ventilate the bottom of the fireplace to a ventilated
underfloor void?

Owain


David Robinson

unread,
May 7, 2010, 4:34:18 AM5/7/10
to
On 5 May, 17:26, "Toby" <postmas...@127.0.0.1.invalid> wrote:
> "David Robinson" <davidrobin...@postmaster.co.uk> wrote in message

There was no chimney breast. It was and is a flat wall, with the
chimney being entirely contained within the wall - which I haven't
touched.

Cheers,
David.

David Robinson

unread,
May 7, 2010, 4:35:27 AM5/7/10
to

Genius. That's quite possible. Might be quite easy. Thanks Owain!

Cheers,
David.

0 new messages