Removal and Installation of new chimney pots

[Kinclad]

Hi All,

Used to frequent this board a few years ago. Now i have got the bug again and want to finish off what I started 5 years ago.

I plan to hire a cherry picker soon and replace our 3 existing pots from our central stack with reclaimed ones.

My qustion is really regarding advice on removal of the existing and installation of the replacments. I presume its simply a case of sitting the new pots on a bed of mortar?

Thanks in advance,

Mark.

 

[Penners]

A chimney pot is normally secured on top of the stack with a bed of mortar known as "flaunching". Personally I would always use cement mortar with a waterproofer admix for this job, but others may wish me to wash my mouth out with soap after that statement.

Stand the pot in position, and then build a mortar bed that tapers downwards from around the pot to the edge of the stack, so that rainwater runs off. There may be a rim around the bottom of the pot, and I reckon a thickness of mortar about 4in above that rim should be OK, tapering down to a smooth flow-off at the edge of the stack. However, this thickness may need increasing if your stack is very large, in order to maintain a reasonable gradient on the flaunching. Conversely, if the stack is small you may get away with a bit less. However, don't skimp it - remember it has to hold the pot on firmly in high winds. If in doubt, make it a bit thicker!

Make sure you wet the bricks well before you apply the mortar bed, to avoid premature drying due to "suction", and get the surface of your mortar nice and smooth so that the water flows off easily.

 

[inwood]

When my stack was partially rebuilt (only the ridge board of the roof was holding it up!) we had the opportunity to remove the capping and put a new pot on so the fireplace could be reused.

The pot was smaller than the opening and apparently the way around this is to use slates laid flat and then mortared in to reduce the opening before then putting the pot on top of this and haunching that in.

 

[another_richard]

Not wanting to rain on your parade but if you are planning to use the fire places again I am sure you are aware that they will need a certiff-ti-cate to prove that they are fit for purpose.

This is not a plug and I am in no way connected, theNational Association of Chimblee Sweeps can produce said certificates: http://www.chimneyworks.co.uk/

I had a locally qualified one at our place last t'weekend to replace pot and cowling.
£280 I could have done it myself and had the certicate stamped but...

 

[Nemesis]

And to whom must this Certificate be shown befor a re-opened fireplace can be used?

 

[Taff in Glaws]

So do you only need a sustifikit if the fireplace has been previously blocked orf?

Do you get one of these sustifikits when you've had the chimblee swept?

Is there an newly opened fireplace detector van in my area? Will I get caught by the Fuzz?

(Sorry to be impudent but I feel I may even need a sustifikt to get back into my own bed these days.....I know I know Health and Safety blah blah blah.......I'll go now I've had a little rant)

 

[Nemesis]

I can only imagine that works to a chimbley pot (cue Dick Van Dyke...) are covered by Building Regs.

So in theory you possibly can pay the couuncil a fee and get certificated also.

But many are really naughty about things like this and consider what the eye doesn't see etc.



Obviously any unblocked chimney needs to be tested to ensure it's safe. A lining may be required.

 

[Gervase]

(Puts on diabolical cockney accent)...Werl, Miss Poppins, Building Regs can dictate how high it is, and how wide the flue should be. But as for getting the BCO to signany work off, if it's anything like Part P work, they'll just get in a chimbley sweep and bill you for the cost plus a couple of teas and the MCO's mileage.

 

[Nemesis]

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

A nice cup ot tea, eh?

Helps the medicine go down...

 

[Flyfisher]

. . . . even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious!

The world (or maybe just the UK?) is going certificate crazy. Whatever next - a licence to actually light an open fire? Anyone not holding said licence will have to employ the services of a 'competent person' to light the fire for them, or perhaps it will remain permissable for unlicenced persons to build the fire but not to actually light it until it has been signed off by a suitably qualified 'competent person'.
Pah!

(um diddle diddle diddle um diddle aye)

 

[another_richard]

. . . . even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious!

The world (or maybe just the UK?) is going certificate crazy. Whatever next - a licence to actually light an open fire? Anyone not holding said licence will have to employ the services of a 'competent person' to light the fire for them, or perhaps it will remain permissable for unlicenced persons to build the fire but not to actually light it until it has been signed off by a suitably qualified 'competent person'.
Pah!

(um diddle diddle diddle um diddle aye)

It is probably also to stop idiots like me lighting a fire when the whole lot was capped (one for each missing pot).
Chimney sweep: I cannot believe you have not suffocated and your house has not burnt down. Here, I have put a new pot on and swept said chimblee.
Me: Look this is costing me money cut the sarcasm and write out the sus-tif-ticate to tell me it is fit for purpose.

 

[Penners]

What we're lacking is a Certificate of Competence to Issue Certificates.

 

[Nemesis]

Well, funny you should mention that... a business opportunity awaits I think?

 

[Penners]

You're too late. I've just finished registering a company that will train people to become competent in issuing Certificates of Competence in Issuing Certificates of Competence.

We think we're having a bit of fun with this, but all the while I have this terrible feeling of imminence....

 

[Flyfisher]

It is probably also to stop idiots like me lighting a fire when the whole lot was capped (one for each missing pot).

Perhaps, but I don't think you can legislate against people making mistakes or, worse, being wilfully negligent. After all, if legislation worked there wouldn't be any crime would there?

and I share Penners' foreboding . . .

 

[piper]

(Sorry to be impudent but I feel I may even need a sustifikt to get back into my own bed these days.....I know I know Health and Safety blah blah blah.......I'll go now I've had a little rant)

I was talking to man demonstrating dry-stone walling at the Westmorland Show a couple of weeks ago, and he said that Health & Safety gave them a list of rules which started by requiring a LEVEL working surface. This guy said he asked them if they'd ever seen any walls in the Lake District..... :roll:

 

[Flyfisher]

In the year 2007 the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the CAD drawings, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. "Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark ?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed Building Regulations Approval and I've been arguing with the Fire Brigade about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission for building the Ark in my garden because it is development of the site, even though in my view it is a temporary structure. We had to then go to appeal to the Secretary of State for a decision.

Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. All the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them and we live in a Site of Special Scientific Interest set up in order to protect the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering the animals, the RSPCA sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the County Council, the Environment Agency and the Rivers Authority ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many disabled carpenter's I'm supposed to hire for my building team. The
trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only accredited workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, Customs and Excise seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The British government beat me to it."