Wood burners / Wood burning stoves

Rikki

Well-Known Forumite
If you DIY fit, you are breaking the law and endangering lives.

I haven't checked but I would assume this statement is incorrect. In theory you can fit boilers do all your own wiring fit new double glazing etc (pretty mych anything)in your own home as long as building control are notified and it is checked over by someone who knows what they're doing. I see no reason why the same wouldn't apply to a wood burner.

I'm not encouraging people to think its ok to do what they want and fit appliances dangerously. I just think if someone wants to do work in their own home and is willing to take the time to make sure they follow the correct procedures and do the job properly, they should be able to.
 

Graham

Graham
Can I just say, not all qualified people are competent, check the HETAS Register, I am a HETAS registered installer, chimney engineer and sweep, and will happily answer any questions on fires of any type.
Most fires are caused by DIY fitters, and incompetent builders, neither of These are legally allowed to touch chimneys or fires.
If you DIY fit, you are breaking the law and endangering lives. It is perfectly safe to leave a woodburner or Multifuel stove overnight, if fitted correctly. Would you let anyone play with your gas boiler? Therefore call an expert, I am always happy to help and good advice is not only free it saves lives
07879048679

Really? I thought a builder or DIY installation can be certificated by an LPA building inspector as long as it complies with current regs.
 

sooty

Active Member
Really? I thought a builder or DIY installation can be certificated by an LPA building inspector as long as it complies with current regs.
You can pay for a building regs application and fit yourself in theory, but unless you have a skilled knowledge of chimneys, flues and the part J of the building code then you can endanger lives. It also costs around £300.
Just to comply is in my opinion not enough, it is a skilled trade, disrespected by some, that has lost its credibility. Sweeps and engineers should be competent to advise although, there are many who are not. All I would say is be careful, just following guidelines is inadequate when it comes to the intracucies of flues and chimneys.
 

sooty

Active Member
I haven't checked but I would assume this statement is incorrect. In theory you can fit boilers do all your own wiring fit new double glazing etc (pretty mych anything)in your own home as long as building control are notified and it is checked over by someone who knows what they're doing. I see no reason why the same wouldn't apply to a wood burner.

I'm not encouraging people to think its ok to do what they want and fit appliances dangerously. I just think if someone wants to do work in their own home and is willing to take the time to make sure they follow the correct procedures and do the job properly, they should be able to.
I agree in part with what you are saying. It is possible to apply for a building control certificate for any work, and then get it checked by an appropriate qualified person. However, the Certs cost ar
 

sooty

Active Member
I agree in part with what you are saying. It is possible to apply for a building control certificate for any work, and then get it checked by an appropriate qualified person. However, the Certs cost ar
Around 300 quid, and an inspection by an approved specialist could be at least that.
There are a number of people in the are claiming to be able to do this work, and doing it badly.
From liners fitted of ladders, to the use of suspension cowls, and incorrect flue diameters and poor correctional work on bends in the flue.
Most people think chimneys to be of no danger, but they are regular killers. I personally, would only use a competent gas safe engineer for any domestic gas work, so why attempt chimney work yourself unless you are a qualified engineer and preferably sweep.
 

sooty

Active Member
There have been four fires caused by wood burning stoves recently and the fire service have called on people not to leave them alight when they go out or when they go to bed. Has anyone got one? Would you recommend having one?
Chimney fires are caused by a number of factors. Poor installation. Incorrect sweeping. Poor initial survey of the flue. Incorrect fuel use.
Chimney fires are not caused by woodburners, they are caused by incorrect use.
You must have your. Himney swept every three months when in use, and get your appliance serviced at the same time. Don't use incompetent installers and get a good chimney survey before you start any thoughts regarding getting a woodburner.
I have heard of many shops locally quoting prices for a stove, installation, and requirements for various extras without ever visiting a the property and getting the chimney surveyed! Shame on them. Wood burners and multi fuel stoves are superb Eco friendly methods of heating a home safely if installed correctly, and are perfectly safe for vernight use
 

sooty

Active Member
I have a woodburner, it is a mine field when coming to get them fitted you get told allsorts! It is best to go to a reputable dealer and have them fitted by a hetas registered fitter! You should have a flue installed in your chimney although some fitters who aren't registered with hetas will tell you different! It is a costly exercise because the local company we bought from didn't tell us about the hetas fitting he was just looking to sell the burner without mentioning the hetas bit, we thought our builder we had in could fit it at the time, who has apparently fitted loads round stafford. But this isn't the case get the proper advice and go through hetas! You also have to have your chimney swept once a year and get a certificate for it to present to the house insurancers should there be any problems, again by a hetas registered person!
agree wholeheartedly with these wise words, HETAS are the awarding body and govern all aspects of solid fuel installation. They also govern competent chimney sweeps, who are just as important after the fact. Get your chimney swept and appliance tested regularly and you will have nothing but joy from your appliance
 

sooty

Active Member
Does anyone know a competent installer of wood burning stoves in the area?

I have one installed, but the chimney sweep has made a mess of the horizontal flue and back board and they need replacing/repairing.

Pat Darcy fitted it originally but i don't think he does it any more......

Any contacts appreciated

ta
Happy to help with advice and fitting, I'm All Your Chimney Needs Hetas registered installer and sweep, 07879048679
 

Carnaegy

A few posts under my belt
Sooty (Nick Paine from All Your Chimney Needs Ltd) has been removed by HETAS from their list of approved installers and sweeps.

If you have had problems with an installation, suffered financial loss, paid for incompleted work or been the victim of inappropriate behaviour then contact Staffordshire Trading Standards (08454040506) and HETAS CEO (Bruce Allen 01242682048) directly to make a complaint.
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
On paper we've found a brilliant log burner supplier - http://www.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk/

Yesterday I ordered the Aga Ludlow and the price is almost £300 cheaper than direct from Aga.

Easy ordering and £30 for next day delivery from South East Wales didn't seem too bad either.

Just hope it turns up now!
 

captainpish

Well-Known Forumite
Obviously your complaint wasnt serious enough to warrant the bloke being struck off then. What did he do? Get soot on your carpets?
 

dr watson

Well-Known Forumite
Obviously your complaint wasnt serious enough to warrant the bloke being struck off then. What did he do? Get soot on your carpets?
I have checked with HETAS today.
Nick Paine / Sooty / All your Chimney needs ltd is no longer registered with them.
 

Diane

Well-Known Forumite
Sooty (Nick Paine from All Your Chimney Needs Ltd) has been removed by HETAS from their list of approved installers and sweeps.

I tried to contact him this morning before reading these posts :( could anyone recommend an approved competent fitter to quote us for a freestanding multifuel stove ? Thanks
 

SuzyShoe

A few posts under my belt
Did anyone else get Sooty to install a log burner? Or have any problem with him? Sounds very dodgy. I think he his trading in France now.. as Chauffage Naturellement or Heating naturally. I think he is the same person who's done dangerous work in France installing Log Burners for ex-pats none the wiser.
 
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