Contura i4 crack in thermal board/lining inside firebox

Frere

Good morning people,

This is my first post, though a 5 year plus guest lurker of these forums.

Background gist:

Had a Contura i4 classic insert Woodburner installed, and signed off by a HETAS installer on 28 August 2013. Didn't get used regularly until end September or so. Between Christmas and new year, noted a crack 1mm wide running top to bottom on the back thermal lining (called Thermotte iirc by Contura).

The warranty excludes specific items such as this, but am thinking there may be remedies through the Sale of Goods Act etc.

My queries are:

Since this is a newly installed item, barely six months, is it usual for such cracks to develop?

What would be the likely causes of this crack?

Any other comments?

The HETAS guy was contacted after New Year, and suggested he repairing it with fire cement, and promised to call in to do the job within a week. He has not been in contact since. So, it's time to consider other options under the SOGA, but before I do, would like to try to establish whether this cracking is normal, or whether there is a manufacturing defect or other causes.

The thermal output of the fire has notably dropped somewhat since the crack developed.

Very many thanks for your help people, it's appreciated.

Best wishes,

Frere

matelodave

They won't include the thermal lining in the warranty as they have no control over how the fire is used. Same for the glass. You might have poked a log through it or chucked one in a bit vigorously or a log might have expanded enough to crack it. It's not hard to get a bit of fire cement yourself or even get some vermiculite board to replace it - it's a lot cheaper to get some board rather than buying it from the heater manufacurer

muckybutt

These thermal insulators are really fragile and are easily damaged either at installation or during general use.

Vermiculite board is very similar stuff and is easy to cut and shape, now you could go down the route of making a new panel yourself, or go through to Contura and order a replacement direct.

Alternatively you could repair it yourself with fire cement, I use a particular one which has added resins etc and ive found is far better than normal fire cement, the stuff I use is Inglenook fire cement, easy enough to get hold of online if you google it or pop down to Wilko's as they seem to stock it nationwide.

Frere

Good evening,

Many thanks folks for the very helpful replies. Looks as though I will have to get the HETAS guy to come out, with a SOGA letter as an incentive, to fix some fire cement on the crack. Prolly a mix of various reasons leading to the crack, installation, my inexperience etc, and monitor after the crack has been cemented up.

Best wishes,

Frere