Chimney & Fireplace

Flues flaunched over but pots cemented back on for decoration filling up with mud!

Anonymous user 16/03/2024 - 2.30 PM

Have realised that my Victorian chimney flues have been completely sealed over with flaunching (there is an air brick in stack) and the square pots cemented back on for decoration. Problem is they are open to weather and a layer of mud building up in bottom. This was discovered when a swarm of honey bees started coming down the chimney via the gas cowl which sits in between the two stacks on top of the flaunching. (Scaffolding erected because I thought they were building a hive in the top of one of the flues so really surprised to find they were sealed up). My question is do I just leave them or should the pots be removed or have drainage holes drilled or something? I noticed owl pellets up there too.