Woodburner flue - how often does this need sweeping?

[Mobile Chicane]

I rent a house with a woodburning stove which I use in preference to the gas-fired central heating whenever possible since I can get free firewood.

I've been here a year-and-a-half, in which time the flue hasn't been swept, and I have no idea when it was last swept before I moved in.

The flue is cladded:



however it does get very hot when the burner is fully loaded, at which point the smoke outside has a brownish tinge and starts to smell like a smoky old taxi. Should I be concerned by this?

Also, is there is any statutory obligation on landlords to sweep flues? Unfortunately my landlord is the type of person who won't undertake any kind of maintenance unless compelled to do so.

Thanks in advance.

[Hereward]

Depends upon how often you have a fire, what type of wood you burn, how well seasoned the wood is and how hard (hot) you run the fire. Anyway, a sweep every 12 months is reasonable.

[Mobile Chicane]

Hereward said:

Depends upon how often you have a fire, what type of wood you burn, how well seasoned the wood is and how hard (hot) you run the fire. Anyway, a sweep every 12 months is reasonable.

I agree that the flue probably needs sweeping. I use the woodburner most evenings, and the flue hasn't been swept in the year-and-a-half I've lived here.

Question is, whose responsibility is this? The landlord's or the tenant's? Anyone know? There isn't anything in the tenancy agreement about it.

I would also be interested to know if there is any legal obligation on landlords to maintain stove flues in a safe condition, in the same way that safety certificates apply to gas appliances.

There is gas central heating here by the way, and I'd imagine that the woodburner was intended as a decorative feature rather than to be used as the primary heat source, if that has any bearing.

Can anyone advise as to 'how' I can best approach the subject of the flue sweeping?

Thanks in advance.

[freecar]

As there is some ambiguity here with regards to whether the landlord intended the woodburner to be used, I would suggest that you do it.

As you get the wood for free and this is essentially saving you money, a yearly sweep wouldn't be too much to do.

Granted by law this may be the landlord's responsibility, however were I a landlord of a property with heating and a woodburner. I would decommision the woodburner and insist you use the central heating!

[pilchardthecat]

I sweep one chimney once every year as it's not used that often. The other one i use every day in the winter, and that get's done 2-3 times a year. I get about half of a large builders bucket of soot out every time.

You can buy sweeping gear for about £30. Yours needs doing now.

[rovermorris999]

At least twice a year with wood, once with smokeless fuel. I'd do it now, but I would assume it's the landlord's responsibility. Google is your friend for that.

[Mobile Chicane]

pilchardthecat said:

You can buy sweeping gear for about £30. Yours needs doing now.

Where from?

[GingerWizard]

Every twelve months. useally just before you fire it up for the winter so autumn is good.

[rovermorris999]

Mobile Chicane said:

pilchardthecat said:

You can buy sweeping gear for about £30. Yours needs doing now.

Where from?

Screwfix for one. Search for 'drain rods' and 'chimney brush'. Although you may need a smaller 4 or 5'' brush. These can be bought from anywhere that sells fires.

Edited by rovermorris999 on Monday 5th April 12:26

[pilchardthecat]

Mobile Chicane said:

pilchardthecat said:

You can buy sweeping gear for about £30. Yours needs doing now.

Where from?

eg;

http://www.transtools.co.uk/store/prod_2473/store/...

as someone else said, look for drain rod set that comes with a chimney brush attachment.

[Bonefish Blues]

Mobile Chicane said:

pilchardthecat said:

You can buy sweeping gear for about £30. Yours needs doing now.

Where from?

Set on eBay for £17 at the moment - also clears drains!

[Ken Sington]

Just had woodburners put into our place and installers recommended sweeping at least once a year

[mosstrooper]

Be very, very careful regarding which rods and brushes you buy. If you have a flexible liner fitted, then a 16" dia flue brush is not suitable.

[Mobile Chicane]

Thanks all, however I think I'm going to get a professional in. I'd need 20 feet of bendy rods (there's a 45 degree kink) and these aren't cheap.

I also don't fancy dealing with the mountain of soot that will no doubt result. The burner isn't 'drawing' particularly well, and I suspect there's a lot of soot up there.

[Steve_W]

mosstrooper said:

Be very, very careful regarding which rods and brushes you buy. If you have a flexible liner fitted, then a 16" dia flue brush is not suitable.

Ah - interesting; can you elaborate please?

We've got a 6 inch flexible flue on our multifuel stove, so I'd appreciate knowing what sort of brush is best.

Thanks,
Steve

[mosstrooper]

Try this link - http://www.thegreenlivingforum.net/forum/viewforum...

There's more information there on wood stoves than you might have thought possible..