Chimney flue

[lights]

Hi
am having problems with fumes from my oil aga, I believe that there is no flue pipe to the cowl( fitted several years ago!)and there is no acess point on the cast iron pipe from the Aga, it has been run into an old chimney and sealed with a steel plate so there is no access from the bottom hence, I am told that the previous owners had to take out the the external stonework 2/3 up the chimney to gain access to clear a birds nest

Whilst until now it has been probelm free for 10 years, to solve this now and for easy future service can I change the flue to come out of the side of the chimney wall rather the top -there are no windows above or can you suggest another solution

thanks in advance

 

[^woody^]

A flue works by air passing over the chinmey cowl and drawing the gasses up. It's not just a case of making an opening and assuming the gasses will get out - they wont, and could easily be blown back down.

If the flue was previously working OK, then it is likely that there may be a blockage of some sort, and this should be investigated.

An alternative for getting better draw, would be to change the cowl.

You can certainly form an access point in the side, but this will need to be closed for the flue to work