Woodburner register plate problems!

[lee58uk]

I fitted a woodburner myself (well actually I've fitted it several times) and I've had nothing but problems. The main issue has been that within 10 minutes of lighting the woodburner theres an awful heady smell that gave us all sore throats and headaches, the smell would get unbearable. Weirdly enough, the smell never set off either the smoke alarms or the carbon monoxide alarm,we also had the installation checked by a professional fitter. I sold the woodburner and brought another new one. We had to wait for the paint to cure and then hoped we would be ok. Wrong, same problem. We then changed the flue liner for a better quality one and filled the chimney with vermiculite, still to no avail. We have now recently sealed the steel register plate etc with a silicon sealer thats specially designed for temperatures up to 1200oc and designed to be used for woodburner flue pipes and it seems to have at last cured the smell problem, but we've noticed that now everytime we light the burner it pours with steam from the register plate, does anyone else have this problem? Cheers

 

[gaz01132]

The smell surely had to be a by product of the combustion process, so points towards the registry plate not being correctly sealed. What did you initially use to seal it?
What is this paint that had to cure before using new stove?
When the old liner was removed, what was it`s condition? Did it appear to have any holes/ open joints?
When you say you swapped old liner for a better one, do you mean a different grade of stainless? Is it a flexy liner? Did you install the new liner?
Is the steam from register plate definately steam and not smoke? Does it come from the joints where plate meets walls of flue or plate surface itself?

 

[gaz01132]

Also, did both your old and new installations have a rain cowl/ bird guard?

 

[Richard C]

I would advise you call in a registered HETAS installer to check/remedy & certify the installation as safe before you kill yourself & your family. You can get a list of local independents here;
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member

Some sobering reading just in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/warning_over_heaters_after_norfolk_couple_s_death_1_811099
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm

You can DIY install a stove but it must comply with Building Regs & you need to submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue a compliance certificate; the BI may want to witness smoke & spillage tests. No compliance certificate may lead to difficulties when you come to sell your property; if you cannot produce a compliance certificate in the event of a problem, your insurance company may invalidate your policy & reject any claim.

 

[cotswoldbuilders]

As RichardC said, get a Hetas registered installer to check it out.
Sounds like something isnt sealed some where.
Only strong smells I have ever noticed is when its a new stove, and the paint is burning of.

 

[masona]

Really need more information how your stove is fitted

I fitted a woodburner myself (well actually I've fitted it several times) and I've had nothing but problems.

Ok, did you fitted correctly according to the Building Regulations, Document J, Stove Installation Guidelines?

I have fitted my own stove but got it signed off by Hetas

also had the installation checked by a professional fitter.

http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member/member_check

You can check to see if your professional fitter is registered using above above link, if above board then I'm surprised you're still having problems.

Please take this very seriously and if you're not sure please ask away and we'll help you anyway we can

 

[gasbanni]

Kneel down and thank the lord you and your family aint dead !

Get a professional in to sort it out. Otherwise it could cost you more than money !