open fires

[james1610]

Not sure if this is in the right section or not.

I live in an old MOD house, built 1930 (I think).

I have 3 fire places.

Lounge, and both bedrooms.

I want to install a fire in the lounge.

There isn't currently any fire installed in the lounge.

Just wondering couple of things.

1) What kind of fire would I need to put in for burning wood and coal.Or can I just get a grate? type of thing
2) Do I need to line the chimney?
3) I have an LCD TV installed on the chimney breast - Will this matter?

here are some pics

 

[gday2uk]

Firstly check the pots / stack have not been blocked off or capped.
Secondly smoke test the flue with all doors and windows shut to make sure you get adequate draw and check no smoke escapes anywhere except the top of the pot, check roof space etc.
Best bet would be to get a sweep round and they could advise you on all your queries after visually inspecting the chimney.
Shouldn't affect the TV at all.
There are various types of fire you could have for solid fuel, some though will depend on the opening size.
Don't forget to check for the constructional hearth, make sure it is in tact.

 

[Steve]

Your TV might be affected by the heat. Not worth the risk, IMO. Your neck may also be at risk of long term damage.

 

[james1610]

Sounds expensive.

I figured the tv would be affected by the heat coming out then almost straight up?


Neck?? huh?

 

[gday2uk]

Sounds expensive.

I figured the tv would be affected by the heat coming out then almost straight up?


Neck?? huh?

Doesn't work like that.

On most open fires the top of the mantle and breast is cool to the touch. Yes heat is going to rise when coming out of the fireplace but it is also dispersed into the room, not hundreds of degrees localised in front of chimney breast!

 

[holmslaw]

You will need a grate to burn coal or coke.

If you want to burn logs in a grate, then lay a flat piece of steel in the grate approx 50mm smaller that the grate, Your logs will burn for 2 or 3 times longer then if you left them on the open grate.

 

[Symptoms]

James - check out these sites for loads of info:

http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/
http://www.chimneysweeps.co.uk/index.htm

You'll need to cut away that carpet to reveal the hearth below and obtain a fender (the 'wall' that goes around the hearth to stop hot stuff rolling onto the floor and then torching your house). Your telly is safe from being transformed into a surreal work of art 'cos there'll be hardy any heat affecting it.

You must get a pro Chimney Sweep in to check you chimney - failure to do so could result in a chimney fire, etc.

 

[james1610]

sounds like this could be possible

This will make my partner very happy.

Why do I need to cut the carpet back to reveal hearth? What am I looking for ?

 

[gday2uk]

Why do I need to cut the carpet back to reveal hearth? What am I looking for ?

You will need to expose the constructional hearth (concrete where the floorboards should be) so you can fix a decorative hearth to it.
You will not be able to have a solid fuel fire without this so if your floorboards go right up to the chimney breast your work just trebled

 

[james1610]

I have a big slab of stone that sticks out about 3/4'.

When i had carpet up im pretty sure the floor boards only go up to the edge of the slab

 

[Symptoms]

james - that "big slab" is the constructional hearth so who's a lucky boy? So first thing to do is get a pro Sweep in to check the flue (chimney) then if that's OK bash ahead.

 

[james1610]

if i was lucky i would have won the euro millions laast week

so does that mean i can just stick a grate in (which i have a small one already,bought for decorative effect - partners idea not mine)

Ill put a pic up tomorrow. cant find iphone cable

 

[Symptoms]

james - you can do anything you like with that grate APART from lighting a fire in it. You must get that pro Sweep in to check the flue ... you may be too young to remember the awful consequences of chimney fires. Also you'll need that fender - these can often be sourced secondhand.

 

[james1610]

ok.

Thanks for the advice.

If i was to get one of the stoves that look really nice, would i have to line the breast? or would this be something the sweep could tell me?

 

[gday2uk]

Smoke test will determine condition of flue as well as opinion of sweep.
Most 'stove' type fires have a piece of flue that rises a couple of feet into the chimney and is sealed off on the bottom by a register plate. There is more worked involved in fitting these than just burning on a grate...