Help... can I have an open fire??

[hopefloss]

Hiya,

I am seeking advice, I moved into my property a year ago and the previous owners told me that a few years prior they had a condensation issue in the chimney breast, they had it repaired and had the chimney stack removed and had vents in its place.. there is a fireplace which they had an old electric 2 bar fire sitting in (not my choice of taste).. I would now like a wood burner or at least a fire in there now... with no chimney stack and only vents now in place can I have one??

Many thanks for reading and for any advice given

 

[JohnD]

yes, provided you have the chimney rebuilt first. If you have a gas fire it can be done using a lightweight flue which will be cheaper than a brickwork chimney but not so attractive and versatile

BTW damp in a disused chimney is generally caused by condensation where it has been closed off. A disused chimney needs to have ventilation at top and bottom (it need only be an air-brick)

 

[MadAlicesDad]

When you say the chimney stack was removed, do you mean the bit that sticks out of the roof, or the whole stack? If the former, then it sounds like what we had.
The chimney had been removed down to the level of the top of the walls in the loft, and the hole in the roof had been tiled over. This left a vertical shaft with a hole at the top exiting into the loft space (good for ventilation but also a perfect starling trap!)
A stainless steel 'chimney' was screwed to the top of the old chimney stack and we now have a wood burner installed - one of the few jobs I've paid a 'professional' to do (rules and regs and working at height etc).
Contact an installer, they should be able to tell you the art of the possible - just sit down before they tell you how much!!!
Mike

 

[Alastairreid]

just sit down before they tell you how much!!!
Mike

Seems to get more expensive by the day.

http://www.firesonline.co.uk/acatalog/125mm_Twin_Wall_Flue_Pipe.html