Open Fire Flue Lining In A Cob Cottage

[MarkPurle]

Hi,
We are new to the whole "exciting" world or period properties and are just completing on a purchase of a cob cottage in Cornwall.
A survey we had carried out said we should get the chimney lined as its fire risk. The previosu owners have been using it for mor ethan 7 years and no doubt the owners prior to this.
Should we proceed or is there any adviose on the use of the open fire to keep the property safe?
Looking forward to learning a lot
Thanks
:? Mark and Joanne

 

[worms]

Just bumping this one back up the list.

As far as I am aware, it is now a routine recommendation that chimneys should be lined and a lined chimney is probably safer than an unlined one. So the surveyor is probably correct to be highlighting the issue.

However, if the stack is in good condition and if it is routinely swept and if you only use coal or properly seasoned wood then it is probably OK - but these are three big IFs!

 

[skier-hughes]

I wouldn't count them as 3 BIG if's, just things to be aware of and to ensure you do.
Using a liner, you still need to have it swept regularly, you can still have a fire in a liner and using unseasoned wood can lead to liner corrosion and premature failure etc.
As far as I am aware there is no legal reason for having a liner in an open fire.
You need to asses the draw on the fire being as it is, whether fitting a liner will adversely affect or benefit it, if fitting a liner might cut down on undue drafts from having a large open chimney.
It wouldn't be of a major concern to me on safety, but I would look at cost of any works that may need to be completed in the budgeting I would be doing.

 

[Lime]

Another thing to consider when lining a chimney is that all metal liners have a limited life.
The length of that life may be quite short if high heat or single skinned liners are used.
much depends on the type and quality of steel used in the construction of the liner.
Unfortunately a lot of "stainless" steels are not.

Also the flue gases from an open fire are very different from an enclosed fire.
In an enclosed fire carbon monoxide is produced in large quantities, thus a sound chimney is essential.

 

[88v8]

Welcome.

If the house is not thatched.
If you will burn only seasoned wood.
If the surveyor has no specific reasons for his observation, such as a camera survey.
Then I wouldn't assume that lining is required.

The problem is getting a balanced view, as so many people have an axe to grind.

I'd start with a local sweep, one who is qualified, not just a guy with a brush. Ask him whether he can check the condition of the parging. OTOH, if he offers lining as one of his services, you have to take that into account when you judge the objectivity of his advice.

You may find that this is one if the most difficult areas if you are seeking to look after an old house in a sensitive manner; judging who is giving you good advice, who is not, and who is just trying to sell you something that may even be detrimental. In general, I would say that before you employ someone to do a job, you need to learn how to do it yourself. However, when it comes to chimney inspection, I have to accept that is a little difficult.

Ivor

 

[MarkPurle]

Thanks to everyone for the great advise, keep you updated
Cheers
Mark