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Original poster

Urgent - can anyone tell me what this is likely to be please

31 replies

WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 16:10

I was cleaning earlier and hoovering around fireplace. I thought I was hoovering fluff but then I spotted that it was a sort of rope around the fire. Can anyone tell me what it is? Is it likely to be anything dangerous...

[photo removed by MNHQ at the request of the OP]

OP posts:
JeffsanArsehole · 24/10/2015 16:11

It's likely to be a balloon on a rope up the chimney to stop draughts Smile

penny13610 · 24/10/2015 16:16

Stove fire rope to form a heat proof flexible seal around fire place.

If you don't use the fire ever, leave it or replace with a flexible sealant.

If you do use the fire get it replaced, yourself or by a sweep. It stops carbon monoxide creeping up the cracks around a fireplace.

Dulceetdecorum · 24/10/2015 16:17

We have that around the door of our wood burner to seal it., its sealant rope. Could there have been a door on it at some point?

ShowOfHands · 24/10/2015 16:18

We've just had our sealant rope replaced.

Original poster
WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 16:26

Ok, basically I was wondering if it is likely that it is asbestos. My house is 30s but I would have said the fireplace was older as its Victorian style) so I don't know what point it would have been put in. Slightly nervous as I hoovered ??

OP posts:
penny13610 · 24/10/2015 16:28

Normally made of glass fiber, so don't faff around with it too much, but wear dust mask and hoover well if replacing.

Original poster
WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 16:48

Ok, so I've done a bit of googling and obviously asbestos rope exists. Hopefully this is fibre glass but can anyone inform me whether it's something I should get tested especially as I hoovered it

OP posts:
Original poster
WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 17:38

Bump

OP posts:
caroldecker · 24/10/2015 18:04

The government do not seem to see them as a big issue.

ShowOfHands · 24/10/2015 18:28

Do you have a local chimney sweep? Has your fire had a once over this year or do you not use it?

yeOldeTrout · 24/10/2015 18:37

I took my old rope to a stove place & they gave me glue & sold me cheap replacement. One of my cheaper repairs this year. Our old one did just sort of fall to dust.

SoupDragon · 24/10/2015 18:41

OP, why are you so determined to discover a problem with asbestos in your house? First the artex and worrying unnecessarily about the surveyor who checked it and now this.

ShowOfHands · 24/10/2015 19:08

Our chimney sweep replaced our rope free of charge last time he came to sweep.

If anybody's in Norfolk and wants a recommendation, I'm happy to pass on his details.

penny13610 · 24/10/2015 19:11

Have you ever kneaded blue tack, until it was warm and malleable, then stretched it into a really thin, translucent sheet.

Fibrous dust is everywhere. It takes quite a bit of effort to breath in enough to cause any damage.

izzimac · 24/10/2015 19:31

Hi, if the rope is sort of shiny then it is a modern glass fibre one. If it has a more chalky appearance then it will be asbestos. If it asbestos though it is very low risk. I am an asbestos surveyor and the two types are quite different looking to me but this is the best way I can describe it.

Original poster
WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 19:38

Thanks izzimac. I'll have another look in a bit.

What is the asbestos type and content? Would running a Hoover attachment over it be a concern?

OP posts:
izzimac · 24/10/2015 19:47

If asbestos it is 100% chrysotile (white) asbestos. While I wouldn't recommend hoovering it, it is unlikely to have caused much disturbance. Going by the photo I think I can see a shine to it so it does look glass fibre to me but obviously a photo is not as reliable as an actual visual check.

Original poster
WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 20:51

Wow 100 % asbestos. How come it's considered low risk then?

OP posts:
izzimac · 24/10/2015 21:15

Risk rating is to do with how likely it is to release fibres and the asbestos type. Chrysotile is generally considered to be low risk compared to amosite or crocidolite.

Original poster
WigglyWorms5 · 24/10/2015 22:51

This one is all frayed and broken at the top on each side where it has been burnt over the years. That was the bit that I was hoovering thinking it was fluff. I know you shouldn't Hoover asbestos so in the event that it was that have I now contaminated the Hoover / spread fibres?

OP posts:
NorthernLurker · 24/10/2015 23:15

OP you have been told repeatedly that this is not a problem. Have you ever sought support with your anxiety? It seems quite strong to me. Might be worth a chat with your GP?

SoupDragon · 24/10/2015 23:21

All you post about on MN is looking for asbestos in your house.

There is no dangerous asbestos in your house.

Etak15 · 24/10/2015 23:23

our fire is just like that have never noticed a rope around it, should it have one? I'd go and investigate but can't be bothered to get out of bed! Don't think it has got one, sure I would have noticed?

Etak15 · 24/10/2015 23:30

I haven't seen your other thread but ours is 1930's house I remembered I our survey mentioned that our porch roof possibly has asbestos and that artex in some of ceilings could possible contain some but I didn't think it was an issue unless your messing about with it and inhaling it? I think most houses pre 1990's could possibly have bits and bobs of asbestos constructions as that is what was used before then.

StrawberryTeaLeaf · 25/10/2015 07:45

Soup I see where you're coming from but people have fears. Maybe OP lost a family member to asbestos-related disease? Maybe she has always previously lived in new(ish) build houses? Maybe a pregnancy or other situation has sparked health related caution?

It's all useful information anyway. I'm learning a lot Smile