Multi-fuel stove - chimney liner needed?

karvala

Looking to have a multi-fuel stove installed, to replace an existing gas fire. This is a 1940s ex-council house with a brick-built chimney on top.

We haven't had a smoke test done, but assuming it's okay when it's done and there are no leaks, my question is: do we need to have the chimney lined? I've heard differing opinions on this, so I'm a bit unsure.

If we do, what would be a reasonable installation cost for: removal of the old gas fire, capping the gas, removal of the old fireplace, installation of a new limestone fireplace and a new multi-fuel stove (both of which we will supply, so just the installation costs plus the cost of lining materials and registration plate etc.)? Thanks.

Fed_Up_Tradesman

It is not compulsory to fit a chimney liner for a multi fuel stove whatsoever.

Older properties were not built with proper chimney liners but the regs changed in the 60's or 70's at some point iirc.

If you have an older property then it is advisable to line it because of the corrosion that can occur with fumes and the mortar.

Speak to professional fireplace / stove companies as always.

I've always found chimney sweeps to be very helpful and knowledgeable too.

Canucklehead

karvala wrote: »

Looking to have a multi-fuel stove installed, to replace an existing gas fire. This is a 1940s ex-council house with a brick-built chimney on top.

We haven't had a smoke test done, but assuming it's okay when it's done and there are no leaks, my question is: do we need to have the chimney lined? I've heard differing opinions on this, so I'm a bit unsure.

If we do, what would be a reasonable installation cost for: removal of the old gas fire, capping the gas, removal of the old fireplace, installation of a new limestone fireplace and a new multi-fuel stove (both of which we will supply, so just the installation costs plus the cost of lining materials and registration plate etc.)? Thanks.

You need to get someone in i.e. HETAS installer to conduct a site survey and test your chimney. He/she would be best placed to advise on costs for your particular installation and location in the UK.

111KAB

I had mine lined 'just in case' - can't help you on all your costs as our new stove replaced an open fireplace however the supply and installation of the liner and installation of the stove (I supplied) was around £900. It took two guys the whole day.

Leif

karvala wrote: »

Looking to have a multi-fuel stove installed, to replace an existing gas fire. This is a 1940s ex-council house with a brick-built chimney on top.

We haven't had a smoke test done, but assuming it's okay when it's done and there are no leaks, my question is: do we need to have the chimney lined? I've heard differing opinions on this, so I'm a bit unsure.

If we do, what would be a reasonable installation cost for: removal of the old gas fire, capping the gas, removal of the old fireplace, installation of a new limestone fireplace and a new multi-fuel stove (both of which we will supply, so just the installation costs plus the cost of lining materials and registration plate etc.)? Thanks.

What Canucklehead said. The danger with a stove is that tar will condense on the flue sides, and corrode the mortar, and you will then get posionous gases leaking into various parts of your house. A normal fire produce hotter gases, which escape up the chimney, so this is not an issue. As far as I am aware, most chimneys need lining.

Advice often given is to get 3 quotes. That will tell you the going rate, and generally avoid one that is too cheap or too expensive, unless they can explain why it is so cheap or expensive. Getting more quotes wastes peoples time.

The price will depend on area, demand and your house. There may be complexities.

I had numerous quotes for my bungalow. In the end I had builders remove the stone decorative hearth and surround, for a few hundred pounds, and then skim the wall. I removed the fire brick and rubble myself. I then had a granite hearth put in, a chimney liner, a Charwood C-Four stove, and the plaster round the opening made good. I paid £1800. I had quotes up to almost £3,000. I visited the local shop quite a few times, and chatted with the people there, who do the work themselves. I found them approachable and knowledgeable. They even explained how I could do stuff myself. In the end they did the work, and their quote was cheapest. The price for the stove was also very competitive, and they supplied it. I think the fact that they do the work in house, rather than hire trades, is the reason why they were cheapest. They were also easy to deal with, very pleasant. (All Time Grates in Wykeham, for what it is worth, I'm happy to advertise them.)

I felt more comfortable going with a company that had a shop, where I could view stoves. Yes there are one man bands, but I felt that a shop was less likely to be fly by night.

By the way, you can do the work yourself, as long as it complies with the regs, which means having it inspected, by the council building control officer I think, although I might be mistaken. Whatever you do, make sure you get the certificate e.g. Hetas, otherwise selling your house will be harder.

vaio

Leif wrote: »

.......By the way, you can do the work yourself, as long as it complies with the regs, which means having it inspected, by the council building control officer I think, although I might be mistaken. Whatever you do, make sure you get the certificate e.g. Hetas, otherwise selling your house will be harder.

I thought that HETAS members could self certify like we do on the electrical side thus avoiding site visits by the council

Taadaa

HETAS do self cert, poster meant if they did some of the qoek themselves. Burners have to be installed by a qualifies engineer though l think..or at least the flue does.

We were quoted 2k to line a chimney and put the flue in. The hearth needs to be a certain thickness. If you have wooden floorboards rather than a concrete floor it Mau need digging out due to heat and weight issues.

vaio

We stay away from domestic but if a customer wanted to do some of the work themselves than I'd assume I'd tell them what was required, then inspect it and include it in my certification

muckybutt

And remember despite what some installers say YOU do need the liner sweeping at least ONCE a year

Gastines2

A few years ago while re-furbing a 4 storey terrace in St.Johns Wood area,after papering one bedroom with very expensive paper,we started noticing short grey lines on one section appearing on the wall backing onto the next house in the terrace.We stripped the paper,cleaned off the surface ,re-lined and re-papered. After a week the same little steaks started once again.I stripped the wall again and after marking where the lines occured, I could actually feel steam coing out of some brick lines.This only happened at odd tims but in the end I found out that the house next door,owned by an embassy,had installed a huge new boiler in the basement garage.They initially refused us entry to inspect the installation but lack of a decent flue liner was the cause of the problem.It took a court order to get it rectified.

Fed_Up_Tradesman

A real life experience of corroded mortar caused by an unlined chimney. Scarey stuff Gastines, bet you were well happy - hope you got paid for all your remedial work but I'm betting otherwise ...