Fitting a log burner myself

[dobbslc]

I'm going to fit a new log burner to replace the old knackered one in my lounge, I know it'll need a new chimney liner etc but what else am I likely to need?
Also what rules and regs in England are there that I need to comply with?

 

[addjunkie]

https://www.hetas.co.uk/wp-content/mediauploads/BFCMA-General-Guidance-10-12-12.pdf

 

[Shedendman]

You dont need HETAS for starters you can simply do the job yourself IF you go by the rules googles your friend here
Write to your local building control officer tell them what you intend to do,a drawing helps
Believe it or not they are more than helpful to guide you through the process,you will need to pay a fee,this varies from council to council roughly 200 quids
They will look at your plans etc and give you a yes or no if yes then go ahead,once done you contact them again to say your to do a smoke test.you can get away with them coming out if you submit photos of the installation but its good if they pay a visit just to see,should be no charge either
Its not a minefield if you do it right,and by doing it yourself you'll save quite a few bob to

 

[gaz1]

also consider secondary air inputs so it makes it clean burn

 

[123hotchef]

I did my install myself got rid of the open fire and installed a stove I choose to drop a liner down

 

[julianf]

Download doc j of the buildings control. It has all the details in it, in easy(ish) to read format.

BC will want an inspection charge. Varies by region, but expect about 180.

I do not know if an inspection is required for replacing one burner with another, but, if you get onto things like flue liners, probably so.

 

[julianf]

PS don't 100% always need a liner, but, personally, I would always fit one.

 

[wookie]

they aren't rocket science to install

I can't believe I'm the only one here who just got cracking and forgot to notify the council ?

Mind you I only removed it and then re-installed it as I was only replacing the hearth and the closure plate and the chimney pot....

 

[gaz1]

as ive found out its different regs for houses compared to new installs in a shed

the cost for a test is about 180.00 just for an inspector to come out and verify its clean burning and thats it and then you get your certificate

no other test is used that im aware of but i havent had mine tested yet

on other hand to make them to sell them they have to go through loads of tests

https://www.niftyhomestead.com/blog/wood-stove-decathlon/

enjoy your read

however wood burning stoves tests compared to real life usage is another matter as makers can and does change the settings to suit themselves a sort of ripoff within the stoves market

https://chimneysweeponline.com/hobtucmp.htm

https://chimneysweeponline.com/wscomp8.htm

 

[waddycall]

however wood burning stoves tests compared to real life usage is another matter as makers can and does change the settings to suit themselves a sort of ripoff within the stoves market

Woodburning stove testing shows what they can achieve given the right conditions not what you should expect if you connect it to any flue and bung some random fuel in it with the air controls in a random position. There are far too many variables as the stove itself is only a part of the system. It's not the fault of the manufacturers. They have prescribed test methods and standards they have to stick to. It's just the nature of the appliance.

 

[dobbslc]

The old boy we bought the house from had been using it for years apparently even though it bad been condemned by the firm we had round to clean the other chimney for the oil boiler. So it needs a new liner, hearth, burner everything!
Got quoted £3500 to do the full install of a new burner that costs £1400!
I can buy a decent lathe and mill for that £2100....

 

[julianf]

We have two installs here, both of which I've posted photos of in the past.

Lounge -

Burner £36 off eBay.
Flue kit £80 off eBay (new) - drop shipper left off the 1 so it was 80 and not 180.
Bits of twin wall £120 (I purchased loads - that was for all)
Slate hearth £28 (again, I purchased loads)
Register plate - whatever the steel cost.

Total, about £270 with loads of slate and flue left over.

Kitchen install -

Rayburn £20
Flue kit £180
Twin wall - left over (paid for above)
Single bit of twin wall I had to buy £125!!!
Brackets £30
Slate as above
Register plate

Total £355

BC fee (for the pair) £180

There will be some other bits and bobs, sand cement etc, but we're not talking big money.

It's like everything - if you just want it done, tommorow, in shiny new stuff, without having to lift a finger, its big money.

If you want to diy, with care, and attention to detail, it can be a fraction of the cost.

 

[dobbslc]

This is what I have at the minute!

 

[julianf]

And what do you want? Are you planning on opening up the fireplace, and sitting the burner inside? Is getting rid of the surround?

Is there any danger that the lintle will be wood? That complicates things.

How sure are you that the chimney is 6 inches, minimum, the whole way up? 6 inches is the min for compliant flexi twin wall flue.

You will feed in the flue from the roof and pull it through with a rope, but if there is a tight kink etc it will cause bother.

Its all easy enough work to do.

I looked in to doing hetas certification once, but got another job shortly after...

 

[julianf]

I recognise that burner. I've got one in the yard outside!

They're cheap Chinese units. Small, single pane glazing (so soot up) and cast. If you want a new burner, there are so many better options...

 

[julianf]

Can you get good access to the top of the stack, and are you happy going up there and working on it? Is the chimney pot sound?

If the pot is sound, and the stack is that 6" the whole way, you just drop the flexi down, and you get a cowl thing that clips to the pot. Its really not rocket science. No concrete work if the pot is good.

 

[wookie]

Got quoted £3500 to do the full install of a new burner that costs £1400!
I can buy a decent lathe and mill for that £2100....

Ouch! I chatted to our local chimney sweep before starting. He swept it for us first and then was happy to offer advice on how to go forward.

I deliberately made the closure plate with him in mind so it has big access holes that providing great access and hence very easy for him to sweep, he popped back and did a smoke test after I had finished the work for free.

All in all a cheaper and better service than the council could/would provide IMHO.

 

[sardine]

Machine Mart stoves are junk, wafer thin rubbish grade iron, full of gaps.

 

[gaz1]

yours is like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cast-Iron...843960?hash=item4b21eec778:g:m10AAOSwrRlZpRzb

 

[dobbslc]

Machine Mart stoves are junk, wafer thin rubbish grade iron, full of gaps.

That's what the sweep said it was!

I recognise that burner. I've got one in the yard outside!
Do you want it for spares?

They're cheap Chinese units. Small, single pane glazing (so soot up) and cast. If you want a new burner, there are so many better options...

Looked at some made by Chesney and Aga £££ but nice.

As for the chimney it looks straight up to me and I want the burner sat back in the chimney breast to give us more room and have a nice brick surround, I'd like a real wood mantle but know it has to be a certain distance from the fire etc.