Chimneys and real fires

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Chimneys and real fires
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moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:45 pm Post subject: Chimneys and real fires

Living near to a number of woodland areas there are always branches and fallen trees to be had and I could make a huge saving on my fuel bill by picking the bits up on walks.

I had a gas fire and surround ripped out 5 years ago to find a huge inglenook fireplace behind it, we bought a new grate (finding one big enough was a challenge in itself) and we had the chimney swept about 2 years ago but (and this is a big but) with the house being 200 years old, the fireplace we removed obviously having been there since the 50's or 60's, we are a bit unsure as to the safety of lighting a fire in there.

We had to have a small part of the chimney breast rebuilt because the brickwork had been trashed when the blocked it in.

How do I find out whether or not it's safe to light a fire in it?

sean
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:47 pm Post subject:
You can get a smoke-bomb thing (can't remember the real name), which will let you check the integrity of the chimney before lighting a fire in it.

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:50 pm Post subject:
I would have thought a chimney sweep should be able to help advise, especially ones who will do repairs (make sure they don't try and insist on unnecessary work). Have you a proper hearth in front of the fire? These are often removed and I think building regs state how big they should be. (Main aim to stop the floor catching fire )

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:51 pm Post subject:
Sean, if you remember the name can you let me know what it is, does it find any possible cracks in the brickwork then or does it just check that you don't have any blockages?

sean
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:52 pm Post subject:
It should find any leaks, I'll go and do some googling.

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:52 pm Post subject:
We do have the original hearth, we even have the original ash pit too and the metal thing which swings the kettle over the fire, although that is sadly broken

joker

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 188
Location: hiding

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:54 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

You can get a smoke-bomb thing (can't remember the real name), which will let you check the integrity of the chimney before lighting a fire in it.

Quite simply they are called smoke pellets i sell them right here in my shop they are available from any good plumbers merchant if you have any trouble i could post some to you

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:54 pm Post subject:

Smoke matches can be used to see if there is enough of a draw on the fire. A smoke bomb will give off more smoke and identify if there are holes in the brickwork (for example upstairs) and should give off enough smoke to see if the chimney is capped. Make sure you can see the chimney top before using and make sure you can open doors and windows if the smoke fills the house.

Screwfix or plumbing supplies will sell them.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:57 pm Post subject:
I had an original fire place in this house when I bought it. During teh renovations I decided to try it to see if it was safe with one of those smoke bomb things. Unfortunately it wasn't, the whole hosue filled with smoke, and the well meaning headmaster of the school I overlook called the firebrigade All made happy by the nice firemen turning up in uniform

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:58 pm Post subject:

Normal bombs will only show you how good a draw you've got, not the integity of the brickwork. I had a proper fire put into my front room a few months ago and got an insulated liner for the flue. They tend to improve the draw and add a bit a safety to the job.
I think the size of the hearth depends on what type of fire you go for - I've got a stove and I think it was a minimum of 10" from the front of the grate to the edge of the hearth.

sean
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 1:01 pm Post subject:
Apparently you may need a pressurized smoke test. A chimney sweep or stove installing firm should be able to do one, or put you in touch with someone who can. Or you could just light a fire and see what happens.

joker

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 188
Location: hiding

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 1:04 pm Post subject:

Northern_Lad wrote:

Genrally a visual inspection up the chimney with a torch will tell you what the ntegritty of the brickwork is like if not sweep your chimney if alot of bits of brickwork are falling down you need to look at the condition of the chimney . Smoke pellets not only proove the draw on the flue / chimney the will also highlight any holes etc

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 1:09 pm Post subject:
Thanks all, I think I may be better off getting the chimney sweep to take a proper look at it. What looks tatty and old to me may well be fine to him. I'll try and get hold of the people we used before, husband and wife team who cleaned the chimney in the dining room and our bedroom and only charged �26.

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 1:10 pm Post subject:
Can't you send a little boy up, like the good old days?

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 1:18 pm Post subject:
It would have to be a girl, the boy is too big to fit up a chimney now 11 and he's almost as tall as me and wears a size 7 adult shoe!

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