Chimney - Ready to go?

[Agu]

I have just removed a fire surround and opened up the chimney with a grate/open fire (we also swept the chimney - and not much came out). I am planning to put a log burner in but due to finances this will probably have to be next year. The question is do I have to do any checks to make sure the chimney is alright or do I just light a fire and see how it goes??

Any comments would be gratefully recieved.

Agu

 

[AMc]

There are risks with fire or carbon monoxide poisoning if your chimney isn't up to the job or there isn't adequate ventilation. You may also need to line the flue depending on the condition of the stack to stop fumes entering the building.

If it were me I would have the chimney swept and inspected by a professional to be sure...
take a look here http://www.chimneyworks.co.uk/ There appear to be other trade associations of sweeps as well.

A log burner will probably require Build Control approval. If it's fitted by a HEATAS certified company they can self certify their installation as compliant. http://www.hetas.co.uk/ - check with your local Building Control Dept before you spend any money on a stove.

When we opened up a disused chimney in our Victorian house our local sweep took a look and cleaned it before we used it. He was able to issue a certificate that said the chimney was fit for use - it cost about £60 IIRC. If you were unfortunate enough to have a chimney fire then your insurance company might be less co-operative if you haven't had an expert take a look and say the chimney is safe.

If you just want to check the chimney draws then light a small piece of newspaper on the grate and check for the smoke outside.

 

[Agu]

Thanks,

Sounds like it's best to get somebody out just to be on the safe side.

 

[chuckey]

A wood burner will generate a lot of tarry compounds, if your flue has cracks in the brickwork, these can lead to staining of your wall coverings. Also the tar being acidic, will eat away at the lime plaster and mortar. I would therefore suggest that you line the flue and in doing so you will mitigate the chances of staining and smoke leakage into other flues. A proper lined flue will also help any fire to draw properly because it has less thermal inertia, so will heat up more quickly.
FWIW My 5kW multi fuel burner does not require any special extra ventilation, unlike higher rated models.
Frank

 

[Penners]

I agree with Frank. It's very unwise to fit a woodburner venting directly into an ordinary chimney, for the reasons that he explained.

When you fit a liner in the chimney, make sure it's an insulated liner. This ensures that the exhaust gases remain hot, thus preventing the condensation of acidic tars. To be really sure, it's also worth having the void around the liner filled with vermiculite, as additional insulation.

 

[Gervase]

At the risk of sounding boring, Frank and Penners are absolutely right. A good, double-walled stainless liner backfilled with inert insulation is the only way if you want peace of mind. The stuff costs an arm and a leg, but there are online places selling 'elephant's mickey' for far less per metre than your average builder's merchant, so shop around.

 

[Agu]

Until I get the log burner next year though I wouldn't have to line the inside of the chimney (flue?) though right?

 

[Penners]

If you're just burning an open fire, then you shouldn't need to do anything to the chimney, other than ensuring that it is free from leaks and draws properly.

As AMc suggested above, start by burning some newspaper* in the grate and see whether you can detect any smoke or suspicious smells in the rooms through which the chimney stack passes (including the roof space). For added safety, it would be a good idea to get a properly qualified chimney sweep in. He/she can make sure the chimney is properly clear and advise you on the integrity of the structure.

* Or smoke matches/pellets.

 

[MdB]

Until I get the log burner next year though I wouldn't have to line the inside of the chimney (flue?) though right?

I would get it either inspected or lined or both.

Our house has two fireplaces, one of which was in use when I moved in. It would have been nice to have lit one or other of them but I'm glad we did not as I have since found out what a poor state the chimney is in. Basically, though visually fine, there are lots of internal cracks within the wall and smoke has exited in all sorts of places. The weirdest was at the end of the wall about 3m up and 3m away from the fireplace, i.e. the smoke travelled at 45° from the fireplace through the wall. Before the wall was rendered, there must have been smoke coming out all over the place.

Now I'm sure your chimney isn't as bad as mine but there is still the possibility so it is worth getting it checked out.

 

[Agu]

Right thanks everybody I am going to get the yellow pages out at lunch and get a pro round just to be on the safe side.

 

[Penners]

Personally, I'm having home-made soup and crusty bread.

 

[Agu]

Oh homemade soup and crusty bread - that does sound good

 

[AMc]

IMHO many decent tradespeople aren't listed in the Yellow Pages any more - certainly I've never found a plumber, oil heating engineer or garage worth any cop with a listing.

Tru http://www.chimneyworks.co.uk/nacs_sweep_search.html

 

[Agu]

Thanks again guys have emailed a couple from the list Amc gave. Hopefully will get the ok and keep the other half happy this winter

 

[skier-hughes]

I found my chimney sweep on yell.com, and he's been pretty darned good so far.

 

[Agu]

Just a quick update, had the guy out to do a smoke test today and it failed! The quickest way to spend a £100 i can tell you! :x Basically the smoke is escaping into the loft, probably through the mortar. Options are now either re point the chimney in the loft and try again or get a log burner and flue. If I was to do this second option ( the most likely as this is what I wanted originally but couldn't afford it) is it easy to DIY the flue? I was thinking of just dropping a flexible stainless steel flue down from the top of the chimney. I assume it is not this easy? :roll: If I get somebody in to do it it will all total £000's which I don't have where as if I DIY it I reckon I could get it up and running for the right side of a grand.

 

[DaveBrigg]

There is what seems to be a thorough and detailed guide here http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/lining_a_chimney.html including a link to the current building regs.
If you were to DIY repoint the chimney in the loft it would be considerably less than the cost of fitting a liner, with the advantage that no-one will see how neat the job is :lol:

 

[Agu]

Thank you Dave that looks like a great site

 

[chuckey]

Re-pointing the flue inside the loft is a bit of an awkard job and the problem is that unless you do it all(?), another bit of pointing will fail, then the pointing on the outside. The problem is that flue gases are acidic and slowly destroy lime mortar.
The flue liner way is a DIY job if you are comfortable with working at the level of the stack. presuming you have the ladders, the biggest expense is the liner, I paid £23/ft for 6" double skinned, tho' some on this forum told me you can buy it for £16/ft from flea-bay.
Frank

 

[Agu]

Yeah the height shouldn't be a problem, just always panic I haven't done something right and it's going to cause problems but I'm sure we'll be fine. Thanks for all the advice and links guys and girls you've been great