Lining a chimney...
Discussion
Is there anyone out there who has had experience of this? I am moving into an old cottage and there is a fireplace that I would like to use with a log burner. I've been advised that the chimney would need lining due to age and condition. What sort of money will I be looking at and can it be done by a builder or does it require a specialist? Any advice welcome!
Mine's being done tomorrow, total cost will be about £1800 quid although that includes about £900 for the supply and installation of the stove itself. There seem to be quite a varied range of people who can actually do the work. For convenience I'm getting mine done through the fireplace shop where I bought the stove, but I've heard of other people getting it done by builders. I've also heard that some chimney sweeps are able to do chimney lining as well. If I'd had more time to shop around I'm sure I could have got it done for less money.
Simpo Two said:
You can't help wondering how chimneys managed to work perfectly well for millenia without lining.
Well mine worked for about 100 years without any lining. That was until the lime mortar lining started crumbling away allowing the smoke out through the brick joints (which are also crumbling lime mortar).Another reason for getting it done is that I was told that it's normally recommended to line chimneys when using wood burning stoves. As they're much more efficient than an open fire less heat goes up the chimney and so apparently the smoke is at a lower temperature. An unlined chimney allows the tar in the smoke to condense in the flue which builds up over time, increasing the risk of a chimney fire. An insulated liner helps to minimise this apparently. It could all be b
ks of course but it sounds plausible to me, and I can actually see tar running out of the bottom of my parents chimney after they've been using a woodburner in an unlined chimney for a couple of years.Simpo Two said:
You can't help wondering how chimneys managed to work perfectly well for millenia without lining.
Most brick-built chimneys were lined when built, with lime mortar. Over time, the mortar crumbles and fails (often due to acid erosion from the coal), and then you end up with gaps. On a house with multiple fire breasts you then get smoke circulating between rooms, which as you can imagine isn't pleasant. Its easier to drop a metal pipe in there than it is to send a small child to re-line it.On an old house, you don't burn anything but extremely dry wood - unless you enjoy the prospect of your chimney falling to bits.
Edited by Parrot of Doom on Friday 3rd April 23:49
Here's a web-site for when you get the chimney sorted, or when deemed fit for purpose. Has some good tips on log-burners, etc. Loved the tip on not starting a fire with 'gasoline'. Reminded me of an old mate, who's first job as an apprentice in a body-shop was to light the boilers. He started a fire, but in his words 'just wouldn't take off' so he filled two rubber gloves with thinners and started to pour the thinners onto the fire. The fire leapt up to the glove and, said mate threw the gloves into the air setting light to the boiler room. He was handed a scorched sack! 
mybrainhurts said:
lottie said:
I've been advised that the chimney would need lining due to age and condition.
Get a second opinion.My daughter was told the same story, then asked a friend in the trade who said all was well.
Six years on, all is still well and she saved £400.
I installed a liner for our log burner some years ago after a chimmney sweep did a smoke test on it. We had smoke rising from more than one pot!
What you have to remember, logs produce a lot of ash in the chimmney. On several occasions I have had to remove the diverter plate from the top of the stove due to a build up of sh*t.
Also check what type of liner you will need. A log burner produces far, far more heat than a gas boiler so, I would consider a good one.
Simpo Two said:
You can't help wondering how chimneys managed to work perfectly well for millenia without lining.
i totally agree, i have just fitted a small log burner which has a throw plate so no flames in the chimney just smoke, if it is safe for an open fire i dont see why it would need a linerslideways said:
Simpo Two said:
You can't help wondering how chimneys managed to work perfectly well for millenia without lining.
i totally agree, i have just fitted a small log burner which has a throw plate so no flames in the chimney just smoke, if it is safe for an open fire i dont see why it would need a linertrust me it is a fire risk , a chimney liner reduces the risk of setting fire to the chimney , both will require regular cleaning
, I fitted a small log burning stove Esse 200 and installed a new 8m liner / insulated with vermicelulite . cost around 200 quid for the liner and bits ......
I understand for the uk the minimum size is 6"
for the money its well worth fitting a liner small price to pay for peace of mind tbh.
Chimey fires are extremely common - my father was a firefighter and probably half of all their call-outs were fires, mostly where material built up in the chimney was curning. The odd few caught rooves or the whole house alight too - due to gaps/cracks in the mortar. If you are burning a lot of wood (ie. more than an open wood fire once a week) in a chimney that has mostly been used for coal then I would say lining is worth doing.
Edited by g_attrill on Saturday 4th April 07:37
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