Damage to chimney and liner - help!

[pineapple]

My chimney was cleaned today with a rotary power tool. The firm is a reputable company which issues certification including notes of any issues found. He couldn't get the rods all the way up and said there seemed to be a blockage. When he took out the tool there were ribbons of chimney liner wrapped round it and when he lit the smoke bomb the smoke was also coming out of the adjacent chimney - which I'm pretty sure it wasn't doing before. Also though the tiles by the seam with the chimney!!I was warned to be careful in case there was any smoke seepage in the bedroom. Wtf...
The liner was put in about 8 years ago and I can't find the paperwork. It was an outfit recommended by the then sweep and I did wonder since if it was a cowboy job.
They said the top was rotting and that when it was put in it should have been fitted to the cowl. That said I suspect the cleaning did even more damage.
Do I have any come back? I suppose I can't blame them if the liner is in such a bad state it comes apart when swept. I am 10 days off exchange of contracts on the house and see me having to agree a hefty price reduction. I've heard at least £700 for a liner. I've been honest and told the buyer. Couldn't have it on my conscience it it turned out to be unsafe.

 

[Burnerman]

No comeback there, I'm afraid......but you have done the honourable thing by informing the new buyer.
I'd go one further and stick a sign in the fire place, saying 'not to be used'.
Personally if I was the buyer I'd settle for that, but a couple of hundred quid off would be nice!
John

 

[Nozzle]

Liners have 10 or 25 year guarantee I believe. If you had the lesser one, it's not far off the end of its life anyway.

Nozzle

 

[pineapple]

Thanks people.
I suppose if the buyer wants me to pay (or reduce by the equivalent) the whole cost I will just have to grin and bear it.

 

[ree]

Something not quite right with this original post?

Why would you have a flue/liner swept days from exchanging contracts? Why the immediate resort to a "power tool"?
First: Powered wire flails or chains are not typically used for cleaning metal liners.
Second: before sweeping a flue liner a camera is dropped down to determine the condition of the liner.
Third: it appears that the feather between flues has been damaged - a serious safety issue.

 

[pineapple]

Something not quite right with this original post?

Why would you have a flue/liner swept days from exchanging contracts? Why the immediate resort to a "power tool"?
First: Powered wire flails or chains are not typically used for cleaning metal liners.
Second: before sweeping a flue liner a camera is dropped down to determine the condition of the liner.
Third: it appears that the feather between flues has been damaged - a serious safety issue.

The chimney has not been swept this year and was getting a little less draught than usual. I just thought I was playing fair by the buyer. Plus in case there was any delay at least I would have an efficient stove.
I didn't know they were going to use this mode of cleaning before they started. I didn't even know it existed. It was a strange brush affair attached to rods attached to an electric drill. They knew beforehand it was a liner. I checked on the net afterwards and it does seem to be used with liners as standard. Are you saying I have a case against them for not checking the condition beforehand?

 

[ree]

It still rings strange - most folk are glad to get out with the least expense, and definitely no additional work. Why do anything that could potentially open up a rat's nest and disturb the sale?

My knowledge and experience is that we would drop a camera down the flue liner and inspect the cowl/terminal before any liner sweeping. But we would be very cautious of using the power tools on a liner.

The metal chain flails can destroy brickwork if not used cautiously, wire flails have a tendency to grip and rip.

But thats us, and we are not, by any means, chimney specialists. I very much doubt that you have a case against anyone, and you would be wise to move on.

 

[pineapple]

It still rings strange - most folk are glad to get out with the least expense, and definitely no additional work. Why do anything that could potentially open up a rat's nest and disturb the sale?

Just put me down to being strange then. I had no reason to suspect the liner was defective. I regret it now obviously but we are where we are.
I've contacted the relevant trade organisation for advice. On reflection I think I might have a case. He said the liner was defective and should have been attached to the cowl when fitted. But he was the one who fitted a new cowl for me some months back when the old one blew off so he knew it was not attached.

 

[Burnerman]

If I may just put my oar in, Mrs P......
There's always a risk when chimney sweeping - especially if there's a chimney rose on the top.....that often gets knocked off!
No one is aware of the liner state, but it's something that a careful person will check as far as possible before commencing work.
Lined chimneys often have a slightly easier route than traditional brick ones, and they don't have the cement 'snots' so commonly found. It's always a good idea to use a small brush first, and if that goes well, continue with a bigger one.
On a lined chimney, the liner needs to be secured to the flue pipe at the bottom, and the gap at the top filled with cement - in this way, no fume can escape into the house.
However, no liner lasts forever - the latest ones are twin wall, and they are as good as they get.....however, depending on what is burnt as fuel can determine how much corrosion or resin that's deposited.
No chimney sweep can know that, so personally I wouldn't pursue the matter - but that's your business of course.
John

 

[pineapple]

Thank you John. I agree. Plus at this stage in the game before the house sale I don't want to get embroiled in legal issues. The quote was £850 for a new liner secured as you say. However I suspect that could turn out to be more. The buyer is proceeding on the basis I reduce the price by £600 which is probably as good as I can hope for. I just want to get the exchange over with now!
I've run the stove one evening since with not a hint of carbon monoxide showing in my detectors on the two floors but I worry whether it is a fire hazard so last night I put a couple of those fake battery candles behind the glass and tried to pretend it was on
Got CH but it's not the same...