Feature wall chimney walls. In the loft brick work.

[ibby]

Hi guys,

I got a question,

I want to keep the feature wall upstairs the brick work arch.

My question is it's very sooty, dirty.. i cant regrout it as i have plasterboard the room!

What can i do to clean it all, any solvents, or brick sleants ?

Thanks

 

[vinn]

Post a pic of the, presumably, chimney breast.
Does the c/breast still exist below on the ground floor?
Has the flue been swept?

 

[ibby]

Here you go.

I was thinking vacuum, brush, vacuum.

Some washing up liquid and cloth, dry and then varnish in clear ?

 

[vinn]

Are you referring only to the brickwork below the arch or the whole wall of brickwork including the arch?
The back wall below the arch is either a gable wall or a party wall.
Dont use any liquids to clean off the brickwork esp. any sooty areas.
A heavy duty wire brush, & then a stiff scrubbing brush (& vacuum if you like) would be best.

Whatever you mean by "grout" I dont understand - but re-pointing in sand & lime mortar will cause no difficulties.

Sweep & smoke test the flues and provide through ventilation.
Have the external chimney stack inspected for determining its condition.

Varnish on brick often looks terrible after a short time, and can sometimes react with chemicals and look to be in tatters.
Its a very 1970's failed idea.

 

[ibby]

Hi,

I rather not repoint because of the mess it would cause now. All the dust will go everywhere.

The word i was looking for was pointing but came out with grout!

So after i have cleaned the brick work, do you know of a way of sealing it.

I already have one flu liner that has been installed, the other one will be installed next few weeks.

I assume the top of the chimney stack is fine.

 

[ibby]

https://www.kingfisheruk.com/interior-brick-and-dust-sealer-matt-finish-item-26bds5

Like this?

 

[Ian H]

That looks great, we are looking to do the same with ours but to insulate the alcoves.

 

[ibby]

Hi Ian,

I will need to insulate the alcoves as such, it's a bco requirement.

My plan is to have a wardrobe built and fitted inside.

What you will end up with is the outside of the chimney visible but the rest hidden.

Best not waste any space you create!

 

[ibby]

Hi Ian,

I will need to insulate the alcoves as such, it's a bco requirement.

My plan is to have a wardrobe built and fitted inside.

What you will end up with is the outside of the chimney visible but the rest hidden.

Best not waste any space you create!

 

[trevorbayliss]

Here is my before and after photo of the chimney in my attic conversion which i finished in 2012.

I ground out the pointing and repointed. Then i cleaned the bricks with soapy water i think and a stiff brush plus a tough cloth. Not sure if the cleaning actually did anything.

The final treatment is linseed oil or danish oil. Both seem the same. I got mine from tool station: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pai...0/Interior+Wood+Care/sd3151/Danish+Oil/p13155

Use white spirit with the oil to make it go further. Not 50/50 split, more like 70/30 with the solvent just helping to thin the oil out a touch.

The bricks haven't needed any re treatment since.

 

[StephenStephen]

Very fresh cowshit is alleged to remove soot from brick or stonework, though I've not tried it myself...

 

[ibby]

LOL

Yeah right