Preperation for a woodburner?

L 11OBS · Post by **L 11OBS** » 25 Nov 2008, 13:31

I currently have a living flame gas fire so am assuming the chimney stack to be ok.

I intend to have this removed and put in its place a woodburner in hope of reducing my current Â£600 per year (approx) spend on heating the house with gas.

Obviously the fire place will have to be opened right up to accommodate the woodburner, who/what do I need to call round to make the chimney stack compatible? Can a normal builder do this for me or do I need a specialised person?

Willow · Post by **Willow** » 25 Nov 2008, 14:08

I imagine a good builder should be able to carry out the work for you.... Installing a flu, and poss lintels / fire bricks to the 'opened out area' would be within a builders job sheet wouldnt it? Not sure about having it swept though.. Havent heard of a chimney sweep for years!!

echelon · Post by **echelon** » 25 Nov 2008, 14:10

We have our chimney swept every year. Just look up Chimney Sweeps in the Yellow Pages.

hfbinnie · Post by **hfbinnie** » 25 Nov 2008, 14:20

a tip for you, and this was confirmed by a specialist, you do not not necessarily need a flexible liner in your chimney. It all depends on whether or not your existing chimney is sound with no leaks. But you will need a minimum of 1 mtr vitreous pipe up the chimney, although I am currently running mine without with no problems as my chimney is an awkward angle to get the pipe up. I have a carbon monoxide detector in the room. However when I come to sell my stove is not legal so will have to be removed or not noted in the details.

http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/

explore this site and it will give you heaps of information

4 french hens · Post by **4 french hens** » 25 Nov 2008, 17:40

Hi 110bs,

You can use stiff steel or stainless pipes up the chimney, and I believe the building codes require either that or a flexible liner.
The stove suplier will be up to speed on this and will also do all the installation work for you.

Expect the flexible to last 10 years and the same for ordinary steel pipes but you should get almost double out of the stainless.

Never burn painted or stained wood in the stove as this leaves a tar lining in the chimney, also avoid pine wood and telegraph poles for the same reason. This is the usual cause of chimney fires. All wood burnt should be at least two years old after it was first cut as otherwise there will be too much moisture in it and it will be dificult to burn and not give much heat.

Invest in one of those waste paper log makers, the are available through downthelane shopping pages.
Buy one with a flat top and you can have a kettle of hot water whenever the stove is alight and also stews permanently on the go. Also good for making bread rise.

hfbinnie, You could put a register plate in the chimney just out of sight to stop fumes coming back down into the room. This is legal and is as used on gas installations but up the chimney, not blocking off the fireplace.

Mike

hfbinnie · Post by **hfbinnie** » 25 Nov 2008, 18:41

Mike I would if I have a problem with fumes, but I don't. At the end of the day if a buyer doesn't want the stove I am more than happy to take it with me. :-D

Nellie · Post by **Nellie** » 25 Nov 2008, 19:21

Willow wrote:.. Havent heard of a chimney sweep for years!!

I know someone who has just had their chimney swept - they have a woodburner and the chimney is swept once a year usually. It is a three-storey house, so long chimney, and it costs Â£20.

The chimney sweep has a three month waiting list, and he's never been busier with all the new woodburners being installed.