DAMP GUYDAMP SPECIALIST · CUMBRIAFree survey
DAMP GUYDAMP SPECIALIST · CUMBRIA

YOUR HOME. IN GOOD HANDS.

BIG ON CARE.
TOUGH ON DAMP.

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FIREPLACES, CHIMNEY BREASTS & PLASTERING

OPENING UP
A FIREPLACE IN CUMBRIA.

Plenty of Cumbrian terraces and farmhouses have a fireplace hidden behind boarding. Opening it up can transform a room, but there’s more to it than pulling off a panel.

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Written and reviewed by Damp Guy, damp and plastering specialists in Cumbria for 8 years ·

Before you
open it up.

Many fireplaces were boarded up decades ago when central heating arrived. What’s behind the board can be anything from a complete Victorian grate to a rough hole full of rubble.

Find out what’s there

Remove the boarding carefully and look before going further. Check whether the chimney breast has been removed in a room above or below, which changes how the opening is supported.

Check the chimney

Have the chimney swept and its condition checked, especially if you plan to use it. A smoke test shows whether the flue is sound.

Respect the structure

The opening is held up by a lintel or arch. Making it bigger or removing brickwork can affect support and may need Building Regulations approval.

Deal with damp & salts

Old fireplaces often hide damp brickwork and soot salts that stain new plaster. These need dealing with before finishing.

Damp chimney breasts
Further reading +

A good
finish.

Checks before finishing

  1. The chimney has been swept and checked
  2. Any structural work has been done and approved where needed
  3. Damp or salty plaster has been removed
  4. If a stove is going in, the installer has confirmed the hearth and flue requirements

For a lasting finish

  • Use a plaster system that suits the chimney breast and any salts
  • Allow the plaster to dry fully before lighting a fire or stove
  • Keep heat-resistant materials where the fire will be
  • Decorate with breathable paint on older walls

How we
help.

Look at the opening

We check what’s there, the condition of the chimney breast and any damp, and talk through what you want it to look like.

Prepare & repair

Loose and salty plaster is removed and the opening made good, ready for its new finish.

Plaster & finish

The reveal, back and chimney breast are plastered for a crisp finish. See the fireplace project on our homepage for an example.

Plastering & fireplaces
across north & west Cumbria.

Send your postcode to confirm availability, including nearby towns and villages.

Check availability

Carlisle & the north

Carlisle, Brampton, Longtown, Wigton

West Cumbria & the coast

Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Silloth, Aspatria, Egremont, Cleator Moor

Penrith & the northern Lakes

Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth

Opening up a fireplace
FAQs.

Can I open up a fireplace myself?

Taking off boarding is usually straightforward. Anything involving the lintel, brickwork or chimney structure needs care and possibly approval, so get advice first.

Do I need a chimney liner?

For a wood burner or multi-fuel stove, a liner is often needed. The installer will advise based on the chimney’s condition.

Does fitting a stove need Building Regulations?

Yes. Stove installations must meet Building Regulations, which is usually handled by a HETAS-registered installer who can certify the work.

Why has the chimney breast stained after opening it up?

Usually soot salts or damp in the old brickwork. The affected plaster needs replacing with a suitable system.

How long before I can light a fire?

Let new plaster dry fully first. Heat on fresh plaster can make it crack.

Can you show me examples?

Yes. Our homepage shows a fireplace we opened up and plastered, from the first photo to the finished room.

HOW WE CAN HELP

MORE DAMP ADVICE

YOUR HOME. A CLEARER WAY FORWARD.

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SURVEY OR QUOTE.

Damp, ventilation or plastering. Tell us what you need and arrange a free, no-obligation survey or quotation.

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The installation, up close.

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