Drilling in Chimney Breast above Gas Fire (Flue Risk)

HallGreenUk · Post by **HallGreenUk** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 11:36 am

A family member has put a TV above a old style natural gas fire. He has drilled 4 holes to hang the TV bracket which he then put the TV on. I am concerned that there is a chance he may have drilled too deep and compromised the flue which could be dangerous when the gas fire is used. Is there anyway I can check if he has drilled too deep. There is gap of about between the top of the gas and bottom of the TV. I will put a shelf in between to ensure the TV does need heat up from the gas fire. It is just the flue part that has got me worried.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 11:46 am

You would need to know how deep did he drill, then measure the depth of the fixings. Also a chimney has to be lined with a "metal flexible pipe" (For want of a better description) if a bracket has 4 fixings, it is highly these will not be in the centre of the chimney. Not to mention to pierce the lining would need something with force and be sharp.

If you are that worried, install a carbon monoxide alarm on the chimney breast.

HallGreenUk · Post by **HallGreenUk** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 11:52 am

Thanks mate. Sorry as my DIY skills are not too advanced. If he has drilled to deep if I still a Carbon Monoxide alarm above the TV on the chimney it will go off if there is a issue. If the Carbon Monoxide alarm does not go off when gas fire is used I can be confident there is no risk. Is that right? Thanks Again

HallGreenUk · Post by **HallGreenUk** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 12:02 pm

Have uploaded picture to make it easier to understand

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 1:05 pm

its also worth mentioning
the holes will be filled with plugs and even if he accidentally did drill a say 8mm hole compared to the volume off a 4-6" liner the free flowing gasses will tend to flow up as hot air rises so at worst perhaps sub 5% leak possible but probably nearer to zero

but fully a guess ??

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 1:42 pm

HallGreenUk wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 12:02 pmHave uploaded picture to make it easier to understand

Your description did not require a picture.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector in every room that has fuel burning device, suppose the flue got blocked, you would only find out when its nearly too late, buy at least one and install it in that room. (Ones with a digital display are better)

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Apr 15, 2024 5:06 pm

Just a general point here, the flu is designed to allow the hot exhaust gases to rise upwards to expel safely at the outlet. It is not pressurised and therefore unlikely to seep out. However I think that is good advice to have a monoxide detector for safety. My wall TV bracket had 50mm screws so I imagine that yours would be similar and unlikely to have breached a 4-inch brick.

DWD