Hi
Just had two gas fitters around to fit a new fire surround and gas fire. They’ve tested the flue with a smoke bomb, checked the bedroom, checked the loft and have advised that the flue is leaking into the loft – “couldn’t see your chimney, your loft was so full of smoke” were his words.
Anyhow, he said that we could get a flue liner put in (£350 – standard 3 bed 1934 semi) but there was a problem. We have a hipped roof, a conservatory on the back and a bay on the front (of which we’re not sure how strong the roof is – it has shown signs of leaking in the past). This meant that putting ladders up may pose a problem.
I asked whether it would be possible to re-point the chimney within the loft – he suggested getting it rendered but said he couldn’t give a 100% guarantee that this would work. He’s left some smoke bombs should we want to get the work done and do some confidence testing before he returns to do the installation.
I’m fairly sure that the actual chimney isn’t blocked at the top. I didn’t see the smoke coming out of the chimney as I was at work – my missus did all the talking with the fitter (other than a phone conversation that I had). However, until very recently, we have used a gas fire and we haven’t keeled over yet!
I know that the rules of the forum state that I can’t ask how much a flue liner would cost to install but £350 seems steep to me. The shop where I bought the fire/surround from will take a cut no-doubt. If I get a builder in to do the work who can get past the bay, do I need to ensure he/she has any particular qualifications? Alternatively, is it worth going down the re-pointing route?
Many thanks in advance
G
Just had two gas fitters around to fit a new fire surround and gas fire. They’ve tested the flue with a smoke bomb, checked the bedroom, checked the loft and have advised that the flue is leaking into the loft – “couldn’t see your chimney, your loft was so full of smoke” were his words.
Anyhow, he said that we could get a flue liner put in (£350 – standard 3 bed 1934 semi) but there was a problem. We have a hipped roof, a conservatory on the back and a bay on the front (of which we’re not sure how strong the roof is – it has shown signs of leaking in the past). This meant that putting ladders up may pose a problem.
I asked whether it would be possible to re-point the chimney within the loft – he suggested getting it rendered but said he couldn’t give a 100% guarantee that this would work. He’s left some smoke bombs should we want to get the work done and do some confidence testing before he returns to do the installation.
I’m fairly sure that the actual chimney isn’t blocked at the top. I didn’t see the smoke coming out of the chimney as I was at work – my missus did all the talking with the fitter (other than a phone conversation that I had). However, until very recently, we have used a gas fire and we haven’t keeled over yet!
I know that the rules of the forum state that I can’t ask how much a flue liner would cost to install but £350 seems steep to me. The shop where I bought the fire/surround from will take a cut no-doubt. If I get a builder in to do the work who can get past the bay, do I need to ensure he/she has any particular qualifications? Alternatively, is it worth going down the re-pointing route?
Many thanks in advance
G