Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you be embarrassed if your walls were lime this?

120 replies

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:04

I am massively. Dh thinks it’s not that bad and we’ll get round to painting them. I don’t actually feel comfortable in my own house anymore, so will get the paint and do it all myself

Would you be embarrassed if your walls were lime this?
Would you be embarrassed if your walls were lime this?
Would you be embarrassed if your walls were lime this?
OP posts:
2025willbemytime · 02/03/2025 18:35

That doesn't look safe at all but I hope I'm wrong.

DelectableMe · 02/03/2025 18:30

biscuitsandbooks · 02/03/2025 18:13

You really need to get that looked at as a matter of urgency. Don't paint your walls or do anything to the set-up until it's been looked at by a HETAS approved installer.

This ⬆️. Please get this checked, it should not look like this.

kwetu · 02/03/2025 18:29

Highly recommend scrubbable paint, it's a god send if you have an open fire/kids/pets

TheCompactPussycat · 02/03/2025 18:28

Well, they're a bit grubby but not that bad tbh.

I voted YABU simply because of your "I'll get the paint and do it all myself" comment. I don't have much patience with performative helplessness! 😂

And as others have said, get your woodburner looked at.

Floralnomad · 02/03/2025 18:27

Don’t do anything with the walls until you’ve had an opinion on the fire . Who fitted the fire in the first place ? I’d get a HETAS approved fitter in to look at the set up before wasting money on a sweep . As the pp said I’d be more concerned about the inside of your lungs than the stains on the walls . What is the gap between the top of the fire and the top of the hearth ?

Soontobe60 · 02/03/2025 18:24

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 18:10

It’s proper wood from a wood merchant place where everyone goes for their wood

Show quote history

In that case, your fire is almost certain to be leaking. Your flue should have been checked every year by a chimney sweep. There’s a real risk of it catching fire from all the tar that could be adhering to it.
Please don’t use the fire until it’s checked out!

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 02/03/2025 18:23

I'd be much more embarrassed about the damage I was doing to my kid's health and the environment by burning wood, to be honest -
https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h2757/rr-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawIxgTBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRka6KEEXH08TqCPbPpFVPxlbHFVGZb1N6ZxECw85C3FYTxLFt6gIK-oew_aem_8peWNzc_FRF_FNRqSrD_JA

CautiousLurker01 · 02/03/2025 18:23

Floralnomad · 02/03/2025 17:36

A wood burner or open fire shouldn’t be causing that much black staining , is the hole actually big enough for the unit you have ? I’d be very concerned that you are setting any children up for a lifetime of lung problems . I have COPD and it’s purely down to second hand smoke and open fires when I was a child .

This - when did you last have your chimney cleaned? You still need to do that even for a wood burner? We had open fires until recently, never had any smoke staining on the decor - you need to get that looked at, and, yes, just do the painting yourself. I’ve done all of our for 33 years, with a job and kids…

Saz12 · 02/03/2025 18:23

Did you get your chimney lined when the woodburner was installed?

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 02/03/2025 18:22

It looks grim! Just paint it FGS. Last time we painted our house throughout, I did 80% of it. It's hilariously easy! Oh and I work, and have a busy life too! And I had TWO children at home at the time. I know bonkers right! Shock

Embarrassinglyuseless · 02/03/2025 18:17

If it’s just staining it might be worth going over them with a magic eraser before you repaint!

biscuitsandbooks · 02/03/2025 18:13

You really need to get that looked at as a matter of urgency. Don't paint your walls or do anything to the set-up until it's been looked at by a HETAS approved installer.

YouveGotAFastCar · 02/03/2025 18:11

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:18

It’s an open fireplace, but we have a wood burner in there, it does that every year

Show quote history

It really shouldn’t. We have three of the things. They shouldn’t be letting out any emissions like that.

Is it well serviced? I second that I wouldn’t use it if it’s letting out emissions like that, imagine what you’re breathing in.

Original poster
Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 18:10

Soontobe60 · 02/03/2025 18:07

Is it kiln dried wood?

Show quote history

It’s proper wood from a wood merchant place where everyone goes for their wood

OP posts:
FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 02/03/2025 18:09

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:20

I’ve been waiting for Dh to do them, I’ve said i’ll start it, but he says he will, but never gets around to it. We can’t really afford to pay someone

Show quote history

I've painted the interior and exterior of several houses, it's not difficult as long as you take the time to do proper prep.

Put a podcast on and get cracking :)

My DH is an awful painter. There's no reason why you can't do it yourself.

Don't wait for him, just begin and he can help if he chooses.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 02/03/2025 18:09

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:18

It’s an open fireplace, but we have a wood burner in there, it does that every year

Show quote history

It definitely should not stain like that with a wood burner. It can't have been installed properly. I think I would get that sorted out before I painted anywhere. No emissions should be coming into your room except what can't be avoided when the door is open. Please get someone in to look at it. It's not good for any of you living with it but especially a young child. It could actually be damaging her lungs.

biscuitsandbooks · 02/03/2025 18:07

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 18:07

Wood?

Show quote history

Is it properly seasoned wood designed to be used in a wood burner?

Have you really not had it checked for several years? It should be done annually!

Soontobe60 · 02/03/2025 18:07

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 18:07

Wood?

Show quote history

Is it kiln dried wood?

C080889 · 02/03/2025 18:07

I would make getting that checked a priority over painting.
If all is ok... I would paint darker colour

Original poster
Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 18:07

HoskinsChoice · 02/03/2025 18:03

Does your husband not have a job, a child and a dog too?

Show quote history

I do a lot more than him

OP posts:
Original poster
Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 18:07

Soontobe60 · 02/03/2025 18:03

A chimney sweep. What are you burning in it?

Edited
Show quote history

Wood?

OP posts:
TheSmallAssassin · 02/03/2025 18:06

You should have your chimney swept and your burner serviced once a year if you use it regularly. I'm glad you are getting a carbon monoxide detector!

HoskinsChoice · 02/03/2025 18:03

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:22

That’s what i’m going to do. Women can paint too, but I have a job, child, dog etc to take care of and he said he’d do it

Show quote history

Does your husband not have a job, a child and a dog too?

Soontobe60 · 02/03/2025 18:03

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:58

What sort of professional?

Show quote history

A chimney sweep. What are you burning in it?

Soontobe60 · 02/03/2025 18:02

Toomanynachos · 02/03/2025 17:18

It’s an open fireplace, but we have a wood burner in there, it does that every year

Show quote history

If your wood burner is doing that to the wall above it, it is leaking particulate out which is very damaging to your lungs. I suggest you get the fire serviced asap and don’t use it until it has been done. Painting grimy walls is the least of your worries!