Chimneys and parapets
The report places old parging, the flue and a liner that was not confirmed in one paragraph. Which of those were inspected, and which were merely named?
Old parging was inspected only where it could be seen, usually at the fireplace opening. The flue was named and not inspected internally. The liner was merely named as not confirmed. The survey has not decided that a liner is absent in the whole stack, and it has not decided that the old parging is continuous or safe. Putting the three in one paragraph shows they were considered together. It does not mean each was examined to the same depth.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.
What is the fuller explanation?
Parging is mortar historically spread inside a flue. A liner is a tube or cast lining added later. At the gather the surveyor may see cracked parging and no liner starting. That is a view of the first courses, not of the stack. Confirming a liner means seeing it at the pot or by a proper flue inspection. Failure to confirm is not proof it was never installed, and not proof the parging still seals the brick. Read the limits in that order.
Ask the solicitor for any certificate or invoice for a liner, and do not treat silence as a survey finding. If the fire is to be used, instruct someone who inspects flues to confirm what is inside. The home survey did not look up the flue and did not confirm a liner. A lender or an insurer may want that confirmation. This paragraph will not grow into it. Keep the visible parging as the only part that was actually seen.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- Where was old parging actually seen?
- Did anyone look up the flue, or was it only named?
- What words record that a liner was not confirmed?
What are the typical next steps?
- Treat the liner as unconfirmed, not as a proved absence.
- Ask for any liner paperwork the seller holds.
- Inspect the flue properly before the opening is used.
Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.
Also asked about this
Is old parging a liner?
No. Parging is mortar on the flue wall. A liner is a later tube or cast system. The report places old parging that was seen beside a liner that was not confirmed. They are not two words for the same thing. Seeing mortar at the opening does not confirm a liner higher in the stack.
If no fire is fitted, can the liner question be dropped?
You can choose not to use the opening. That choice does not confirm the liner and does not inspect the flue. The paragraph still records a limit. If a later buyer, a lender or an insurer asks, the liner remains unconfirmed. Do not rewrite the note as a clear flue because the grate is empty.