Cellar underneath fireplace

[Standfreepaddy]

Hi there,

Another of my ‘what is this’ thread.

I have a 40s bungalow we moved into recently. So the first weird thing is the old living room fireplace, it has a chimney breast on the wall, but no external chimney stack. I see no evidence of there ever being a stack exterior to the house or in the loft. Secondly is underneath the fireplace in the cellar - see attached picture. Seems that something at sometime was below it? The big pipe being supported by the wire goes externally to the house and is now blocked off. I assume this was a flue to and old gas appliance? There is also an old gas pipe going towards it, now capped off, assuming it fed a gas fire. Interestingly there is also an old water pipe going up towards the fireplace too, which is now also redundant and disconnected from mains water.

Looking at the structure of the brickwork, does seem that there was something there? An old boiler?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[RandomGrinch]

That flue looks a little bit suspicious from the photo - have you had an asbestos survey for the building?

 

[Standfreepaddy]

That flue looks a little bit suspicious from the photo - have you had an asbestos survey for the building?

Sounds ominous. What’s the flue got to do with asbestos?

 

[RandomGrinch]

Sounds ominous. What’s the flue got to do with asbestos?

The flue pipe in your photo looks cementious.
Here's an example of an asbestos cement flue...

https://twitter.com/x/status/720185938459107328

 

[JohnD]

I once had something similar where the big pipes went to an adjacent greenhouse, I think for hot air. The stove had been below ground but had been removed and filled in.

 

[Standfreepaddy]

The flue pipe in your photo looks cementious.
Here's an example of an asbestos cement flue...

View attachment 302498

https://twitter.com/x/status/720185938459107328

Thanks, getting a survey maybe best then. If the pipe is unused, not touched and not moved, is it relatively safe as is?

 

[RandomGrinch]

Thanks, getting a survey maybe best then. If the pipe is unused, not touched and not moved, is it relatively safe as is?

You could take a sample yourself and send it off to a company such as...

Sample Only Kit

NOTE: If you're needing to take a sample you will need the full kit (with PPE) - click here. This kit is to be used by individuals who already have a sample ready to be tested. Already got a sample and just want it testing for asbestos? Then the sample only kit is perfect for you. The sample...

www.asbestos-sampling.com

It will be safe enough for the moment, as long as you leave it undisturbed. Don't attempt to sweep, or vacuum up any dust in the area.