Removing Flue in Loft

[imroberts]

Not sure if this belongs in Building, Plumbing or Roofing so apologies if this is the wrong place!

My house has a cavity flue running from the ground floor up into the loft, with this kind of arrangement in the loft. The gas fire downstairs was removed and plasterboarded over years ago before I bought the house.

My roof ridge is in need of some work and I expect to have it removed and replaced so it seems a good time to get rid of the ridge vent and the flue pipe which is always getting in the way in the loft.

Can I simply remove this and leave the cavity pipe open into the loft space, or does something more "proper" need to be done?

 

[cross thread]

Yes remove it ,I would fit a vent at the top of the flue brickwork

 

[Alastairreid]

As above but I would vent the redundant stack to the outside not into attic.

 

[MarkLB]

Hi, just saw this and wondered whether you got it sorted? I have a very similar issue and the exact same arrangment as in your diagram. I have had a new roof but they have left the ridge vent in place (on the grounds it is from a gas appliance and so they can't touch it).

But they have said they will replace the ridge vent with a normal tile if I get the gas fire disconnected (which I was planning to do anyway). The issue I have is getting someone to remove the flue pipe in the loft. I haven't had much interest so far. Is it a specialised job?

 

[^woody^]

It's not specialist, once the fire is disconnected and you have the certificate.

 

[imroberts]

Hi, just saw this and wondered whether you got it sorted? I have a very similar issue and the exact same arrangment as in your diagram. I have had a new roof but they have left the ridge vent in place (on the grounds it is from a gas appliance and so they can't touch it).

But they have said they will replace the ridge vent with a normal tile if I get the gas fire disconnected (which I was planning to do anyway). The issue I have is getting someone to remove the flue pipe in the loft. I haven't had much interest so far. Is it a specialised job?

It was much simpler than I expected actually.

The 'ridge tile adapter' on the diagram was one of these which I believe is a standard fitting. This attached with two nuts to captive bolts on the ridge tile, so I was able to simply undo these two nuts and the whole thing dropped down. For now I've simply left the vented ridge tile in place which is ventilating the loft. I am hoping to have the whole ridge replaced before winter though so will ask that it's swapped out for a standard ridge tile while they're at it.

Where the round pipe enters the 'offset transfer block' at the bottom was cemented in to produce a seal however most of this had already fallen out or was loose so I was able to simply pull the pipe out after breaking away the few remaining bits. I guess if yours is in better condition this might be a bit more effort but can't imagine it being a big job. I've also left the cavity flue venting into the loft and fitted a plastic grille over the hole, to stop things getting knocked down the flue by accident more than anything.

 

[MarkLB]

Hi, many thanks for replying. The issue for me is a little more complicated as the flue pipe appears to be asbestos (1974 construction). So this is not something I want to do myself or that the gas engineers I've contacted want to touch. I am currently awaiting a reply from the roofing company about whether they are willing to do it. After the pipe is out I plan to vent the cavity flue into the loft as you have done. Good to know I'm on the right lines, cheers.