Log Burning Stove

[Bob Green]

Hi folks

My house was build circa 1960 and has a Fireplace that has been modified with one of those Gas fire jobbies complete with a one piece Marble surround.  Given the heat from the fire is just a little more than a Swan Vesta match following the initial strike, I am thinking of ripping it out and replacing with a Log burning stove.

I believe the Gas fire “flue” is in fact the chimney, as there is no other means of flue.  Once I have removed the surround, I will get a better understanding of what is behind but I believe the chimney is still “open”, given the draught I can feel.

My questions relate to the Log burner flue pipe.  Assuming the chimney is indeed open, does it:

1. need a flue pipe

2. does a flue pipe only need to travel maybe 1 metre up the chimney

3. does a flue pipe need to travel the complete length of the chimney

I have no intention of keeping the Marble surround as being one piece; it would be subject to cracking through heat so bare brickwork will be the option.

I have an idea in my head but I would be obliged to receive your feedback on this matter.

Thanks for looking.

[greenandmean]

If you have a class 1 flue (a proper brick built jobbie) you should be ok, if as I suspect you have a class 2 flue which is basically a hollow buildlng block its a big no. When you take out the fireplace you will be able to tell immediately but if you have a flat wall in the room above its a good bet it class2.

With regards the flue im not sure but would think it would have to go all the way up, presuming its an outside wall could you go straight through the wall and take the flue up externally?.

[Dibby]

Best ask the guys supplying the log burner and get them to do it all as one job, if anything goes wrong and your room fills with smoke you're not left with the burner supplier and the flue installer both pointing fingers at each other.

Thinking of putting one in ourselves after christmas and we were told we'd need a flue liner so we'll probably get it all off the same supplier

[Terry Everall]

Its important you check this asap as cost of flue liners will be expensive!

[RayM]

Bob

My house is circa 1930 and has the original open chimney. I recently had a new gas fire fitted rather than the wood burner option as I just wanted some seperate heat for the lounge when not having the full CH on. The complete liner fitted by a qualified engineer cost me £375 if thats any help.

Regards.

[Nic Chase (NICO) - Shropshire & Mid-Wales AO]

When I fitted my logburner the manufacturers (Clearview) recommended fitting a flue liner and then pouring Vermiculite down the chimney to insulate between the flue and the chimney. This ensures the flue remains warm and the logburner runs at its most efficient. I got my flue liner from these people http://www.fluestore.com/. Very reasonably priced.

[Guest]

Our 1950's house had a brick chimney as the flue for the gas heater.  Did exactly what you are proposing and the guys that fitted the fire also included a 5" flexible flue liner that just dropped down the chimney.  Has been installed now for 5 years, no probs and not particularly costly.

[V8grunt]

Hi Bob

pop over if you want to look at my installation,

Free cup of tea!

I had to take my old gas flue out, I can fill you in on best place to buy, And I have 2 x 5" twinwalled stainless flue pipes you can have for trade price!

Andrew

[Mark (smokey mow)]

The flue liner will need to extend the full height of the chimney and be of the correct type and diameter for the appliance it is connected to.

Vermiculite in the void around a single walled flue is not just a reccomendation but is a requirement of the Building Regulations to prevent condensation forming on the outside of the flue and within the chimney.  If you use a twin wall insulated flue liner then no need for the vermiculite.

Don't forget you'll also need to provide a combustion air supply and a CO alarm within the room.

Plenty of further reading and all the answers in here

I shall probably get flamed (no pun intended ) but to make you aware that the installation of a wood burner and flue is controllable under the building regulations.  If you decide to do the works yourself and not use an accredited installer then you will need to make a building regulations application to the Local Authority for this.  They will then oversee you work, check it's all done right and at the end of the job issue you with the relevant certifcates that'll keep your mortgage provider and insurers happy.

[Bob Green]

Hi

First of all, thanks for your thoughts.

Of course, everything depends of what I have once the fireplace is stripped out, which I will start in the next couple of weeks.

If I find the chimney still has the venturi built in, I may just have the chimney swept, by a basket and grate just to burn coal and wood, we will see.

As a bye, it is a “proper” fireplace, rather than an imitation one.  I guess the wall of the fireplace juts in to the room maybe eight inches.  Further to this, our neighbours have confirmed the previous owners did use coal on the fire but changed to gas when decorating the house.

Andrew, many thanks for the offer.    I will contact you in a week or so’s time to have that cup of tea.  I will wait until the fireplace is stripped to see what route I will take.

[V8grunt]

Just to let you know ,

He has just bought a Bugatti Veron..

see you soon,

I'm lying............

He does'nt get it till Febuary!

[Bob Green]

Hi folks

I thought I may give you an update on the Log/Coal/”Yvonne’s dinner” burner I was contemplating fitting.  Well, we are almost at the end of the project, save for stripping the wallpaper and replacement.

For cutting out the old fireplace, I was using a club hammer and bolster chisel but it was taking an age (never mind making my arms fall off!).  I then had an inspiration, “move the compressor to the front of the house and use the air chisel”.  What would have taken me three years actually took one hour!

Here you go.  From this

To this

Oh how we laughed at the amount of brickdust all around the house.

[pistonbroke]

How on earth did santa manage to get down that  

[oldman]

He flue down of course

[V8grunt]

Now you will be wanting a wood supplier, If you want some GOOD clean burning wood from the Swad area let me know Bob,

O' he's eying up a new Mclaren, complaining about the 18 month waiting list and the £40,000 over the book price of one for sale in Knightsbrige!  

And thats not a lie!