Calling any Chimney sweeps

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

On a serious chimney related note. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to have a chimney cleaned and a wood burning fire put in (fireplace surround/mantlepiece is there, but it'd need a stone "bottom" and presumably sides and back of the bit the fire goes in as well as one of those metal doors to keep the draught out)?

I know it'll vary based on size etc. but a rough, ball park idea.

I've lived in a house that had one before and loved it and it wasn't half as messy/a hassle to run as people make out.

Cleaned about £12. Fitting fire will depend on the state of your chimney and how big is the opening. A fire will cost anything from £300 upwards. It's a big subject and close to my heart.....

If you go for a wood burner, get a multi-fuel grate so you can burn coal as well. Make sure you burn well seasoned wood, as the reduced air flow given by a wood burning stove to control the temperaure can lead to tar forming in the fire / chimney which is BAD for chimney fires.

Try Machine Mart for cheap stoves, else there are plenty of places selling them.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Cleaned about £12. Fitting fire will depend on the state of your chimney and how big is the opening. A fire will cost anything from £300 upwards. It's a big subject and close to my heart.....

If you go for a wood burner, get a multi-fuel grate so you can burn coal as well. Make sure you burn well seasoned wood, as the reduced air flow given by a wood burning stove to control the temperaure can lead to tar forming in the fire / chimney which is BAD for chimney fires.

Try Machine Mart for cheap stoves, else there are plenty of places selling them.

Ta for the info. I probably won't get a multi-fuel grate; I don't like coal fires much. As to letting the wood season, about 2 years is ideal, right? I've got wood drying in my garage already in preperation.

You say £300 for the cheaper ones. Do you reckon £1K would get a nice one with proper stone?

£1K???? If you already have the surround , there's no way it should cost that much. What the hell are you thinking of buying for 1K??

Originally Posted by Nekkid

£1K???? If you already have the surround , there's no way it should cost that much. What the hell are you thinking of buying for 1K??

Ornately carved solid marble?

I'd not really thought about it; I suppose fires are fairly low tech. I'll wait till the "must do" jobs are done first and see how much cash is left, but it looks like I should be able to get one.

If they're anything like the jackdaws the co-habitied in my chimney a brick won't do the job.

2 years in a row I swept mine and got a wheel barrow full of sticks out I had to smash the sticks up from below untill they were small enough to fall down. I was not a nice person to know while I was doing that, and in fact threatened to throw my step-sons stereo out the upstairs window if he didn't turn it down

Still, had a new roof fitted this year and while the scaffolding was up put a basket on the top - NICE

[Luckypants]

Ceri JC - if you are in the middle of a major DIY session, you might want to think about linking your wood burner into the central heating. There are several manfacturers doing boiler models. I have one by Charnwood that heats the whole house no problem.

Don't discount the multi-fuel grate, even if you only burn wood, having the option to burn coal / briquets is handy sometimes. I work from home, so I load up with coal in the morning, turn the air valve down low and the fire gently warms the house just enough and lasts all day. This is a bit tricky with wood, unless really dry and re-fuelling is required.

Seasoning wood in your garage is a good start, but a proper shed with a through draught is best. Wood is dried by wind and sun, so outside is best. and you will needs tons of it! Get to know a farmer with some wild hedges and / or woods and offer to 'manage' them for him.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Seasoning wood in your garage is a good start, but a proper shed with a through draught is best. Wood is dried by wind and sun, so outside is best. and you will needs tons of it! Get to know a farmer with some wild hedges and / or woods and offer to 'manage' them for him.

Is an alpine style "shelves with a roof" lean-to okay? My garden is really small, but I have a couple of outside corridors I could use to store the wood in. Is the back to the prevailing wind the correct place?

With regard to needing loads of it. You're not wrong. A mate whon was a builder used to get through loads of it. Still, nice way of using the "waste disposal charge" and getting paid to take free firewood away with you after putting in a new fence/whatever.