Why do Victorian houses have so many chimneys?

While Colonial houses of the 18th century needed big chimneys to support multiple fireplaces, houses built in the later half of the 19th century only needed ventilation space for stove pipes. That translated into skinnier chimneys. Inside, mantlepieces sometimes remained as a backdrop for the stoves.

Why are there two chimney flues?

A flue is a venting system, each system needs its own so If you heat your home with oil or gas and have a fireplace you would have two flues. Often times they are in one chimney so if you were to look down the chimney it would be separated into two venting system inside one chimney.

What is the point of chimney pots?

What is a Chimney Pot? A chimney pot is an extension that can be visibly seen on the topmost part of the chimney’s smokestack. Its purpose is to elongate the smokestack to produce a better draft for combustion.

When did UK houses stop having chimneys?

Chimneys were not widely used in domestic buildings until brick became available in the late medieval period. Before this, most dwellings used open hearths, with one large fire typically located in the centre of the building for both heating and cooking.

Why do old homes have fake fireplaces?

The functional purpose was to provide a fire retardent wall behind an open gas log heater. Many of the homes which had those false fireplaces also still had the remnants of the old gas lights.

Does rain go down a chimney?

Unless a chimney has a cowling, rain often comes down its relatively small aperture. But all chimneys have a bend built into them to prevent any downdraught. Any normal rain will be absorbed by the insides of the chimney and prevented from going all the way down by this ledge.

Who is responsible for shared chimney?

And the answer is simple: if the chimney is on the party wall, then the party wall act applies. This is usually the case, because at least one side of the flue is usually on the party wall, and, in some cases, the chimney itself can overlap and become shared in the loft spaces of the two properties.

When were chimney pots invented?

Chimney pots have been used in Britain since at least the 13th Century. They are usually made from clay or tin.