ChatterBank3 mins ago
Under Floor Pipe
At some point in the past (before we bought this property) the back boiler on solid fuel fire place appears to have burst. The metal parts of the fire have all rusted away. So, we removed said fireplace. One thing it did have was an ash bucket set in the floor (at least 15 inches deep too). Again rusted away to not much more than dust. Removed it and discovered a cast iron pipe going from the ash bucket to a vent in the wall on the opposite side of the room.
So that's the back ground. Two questions. 1 What was it for originally?
2. Can I block it off at both ends since it would have no function once we have a new fire of some sort fitted?
TIA.
So that's the back ground. Two questions. 1 What was it for originally?
2. Can I block it off at both ends since it would have no function once we have a new fire of some sort fitted?
TIA.
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.No decision as yet on what we are going to do with the old fire place. It was in fact 13 feet long with a tiny 29 inch fire not even in the middle of it. All gone now, just waiting for the wall to be plastered. That can wait until we decide what to do with it. This is a very cold house and some sort of extra heating would be very nice when it it not quite cold enough for the full Central heating to be on.
If you look into it, you will find that a "fire" is likely to be the least efficient form of "occasional" heating possible (a straight forward electric heater is better), and it ruins part of the space available in the room. Insulate well the area that is open before you close it but above all completely seal the top and bottom of the chimney (which I assume you have). There are myths against sealing it but if there were any truth in them then a hitherto entirely unknown physical phenomenon is at work.