Awful Stink!

[openspaceman]

Thanks for letting us know and sorry for the disappointment.

[Stubby]

3 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

Thanks for letting us know and sorry for the disappointment.

Yea . Not everybody give the feedback . Thanks and bad luck .

[Macpherson]

3 hours ago, Emmsy said:

Thanks all so much for your really useful guidance.

 

I got a specialist round last week to have a good look. I'm not sure we really established what the smell is, but to summarise the appointment it ended with 'I wouldn't light that ever again!'.

 

I forget all the things she said were wrong with the set up, but a few were:

• Hearth too short so burner too close to carpet.
• Fibre glass etc falling on top metal plate (blanking plate is it called? where the flue goes through to the loft - made of steel) as not sealed in loft, there's just a big hole - could catch fire.
• Hot metal plate touching right up against wood beams.
• Electricity cable (I think for outdoor lights) running alongside flue in loft and touching the hot pipe.
• Burner too close to side walls - which are made of v thin brick and plasterboard.
• Vertical pipe in living room so close to walls it's the wrong type - should be insulated or something.

There were other things that I've forgotten. The summary was it's dangerous, it could catch fire (in the wrong way!) and I shouldn't light it again.

 

Unfortunately, to replace it with another log burner requires the removal and replacement of bricks (therefore redecoration), new hearth (therefore new carpet!), new chimney flue, etc etc - in other words, a total fortune and a right mess. Unfortunately, the set-up doesn't allow for a gas installation either, without significant upheaval.

 

So we're going to go for an electric stove - one that looks similar, and stick an artificial flue on it to give the effect. I'm not happy about it, but it's the only realistic solution.

 

Unfortunately, the installation was carried out  by the previous owners. Also unfortunately, as we are in Scotland I have been told that there is no legal requirement for installers to be Hetas registered, so there is no paperwork. I do know who the installers were, but I fear it will be a case of one word against another, and as were weren't the original purchases I'm not sure it's a battle I have the energy to fight. I think we'll have to chalk it up as one of life's hurdles, and just pay for the replacement electric stove.

 

So, crap news. But I'm glad to know the situation - I could have carried on and persevered with the smell, unaware of the significant risks it poses.

 

Thanks again for all your efforts!!

 

 

 

A new twin wall flue straight up from a short  stove pipe and through the ceiling and roof, then , I believe only 50mm clearance required with the correct fittings and as for the Gyproc and wallpaper [ you get fireline plasterboard ]... just strip it off and  line with slate or something incombustible, that might get you 2" a side extra .... your half way there already with the new stove.

 

Sorting the hearth is easy.... did the guy that came round offer to take the stove off your hands ?

 

Sounds like the original fitting was a cowboy job but I don't see the problem as unsortable in a bungalow,  only my opinion of course, cheers.

[Emmsy]

2 minutes ago, Macpherson said:

A new twin wall flue straight up from a short  stove pipe and through the ceiling and roof, then , I believe only 50mm clearance required with the correct fittings and as for the Gyproc and wallpaper [ you get fireline plasterboard ]... just strip it off and  line with slate or something incombustible, that might get you 2" a side extra .... your half way there already with the new stove.

 

Sorting the hearth is easy.... did the guy that came round offer to take the stove off your hands ?

 

Sounds like the original fitting was a cowboy job but I don't see the problem as unsortable in a bungalow,  only my opinion of course, cheers.

No, they told me we should sell the stove as we'd get near £600.

[Macpherson]

38 minutes ago, Emmsy said:

No, they told me we should sell the stove as we'd get near £600.

I suppose it boils down to how much you want a stove as it sounds like the flue is the main problem, pictures of how bad or otherwise that is would be revealing, like I said the hearth problem is easy sorted, all the best.

[Emmsy]

12 minutes ago, Macpherson said:

I suppose it boils down to how much you want a stove as it sounds like the flue is the main problem, pictures of how bad or otherwise that is would be revealing, like I said the hearth problem is easy sorted, all the best.

I think I've become very cautious and concerned about it all, and as a result I think electric will give me piece of mind.