Rubble filled chimney

[EllisT]

Hi, I have just stumbled on this site, currently looking for advice.

We have a late 1890's mid-terrace cottage, it shares a chimney with the house to our right.
So far we have had new lead soakers fitted to both front and rear adjoining roofs to try and
eliminate damp.

I fitted a woodburning stove around 15 years ago, and used a spiral flue [as advised] surrounded
with the backfill material to preserve its life.

The chamber in the other portion of the chimney was stacked almost to roof level with rubble,
stones, powder, looks like builders rubble.

My question to you all is: I know I have to break into the chimney at attic level to access this
portion of the stack.
Just wondered if anyone else has had this issue, and what you found?

Tony

 

[a twig]

Sorry - likely just me being a bit slow on a Sunday but I’m not super clear on what you’re trying to do / get help on?

 

[EllisT]

Apologies for the long winded message.

I was just looking for any advice / whether someone had knocked into a chimney for a similar reason.

I know that once I have started, and taken out some stonework, it will all become clear, or a big mess!

 

[a twig]

got you!

Yep we did on our gable end chimney - used an SDS to pull out 2 or 3 stones externally about 3m up to create a roughly 12” diameter hole - big enough to reach in / get a small hand shovel in and pull stuff out.

Was all pretty settled inside so didn’t get a big whoosh when we pulled the stones - cleared the chimney through a mix of pulling stuff out the hole directly and also pushing stuff on down towards the recently re-opened fireplace and extracting that way.

From memory it was something like 13 rubble sacks and 8 Henry hoover bags

 

[EllisT]

Thank you, that was the thing I was looking for! I just have to bite the bullet.

Luckily, I am / will be working in our attic, so at least I can work without weather issues!

Thanks again! T

 

[a twig]

Definitely wear a proper dust mask if you’re doing it inside.

You can also make a cheap dust management system by buying a 20 inch box fan and duct taping a 20 inch filter to the inlet side

Photo from someone else’s attempt to give you an idea: