New log burning stove not happy with finish

Poppycat

I paid over £1400 for 8 meters of stainless steel lining, cowl, hearth, the job took 2 days with two guys its a two man operation (builders) they do this type of job round this area all time so he claims.

The slate slabs have tile grout stuck in the slate (slate is fairness has pits in it) Also if you touch the slate you get finger stains it does clean up. I have scrubbed the slate to see if I can remove the marks. I saw the builder kept cleaning the slate while I was there so it was hard to see until they went.

I paid cash but I think having paid all that money job should be right. They even didn't cut down the original skirting so we had to finish job off

The grout is dull pale white/yellow look and doesn't blend in too well to the slate, perhaps it should have been black/grey

Here's some pictures
They also sprayed the metal plate above the burner with fire proof paint but the spray can got blocked so spent ages looking for a suitable aersol spray but couldnt get one so they sprayed it with a aerosol spray thing with a small pipe on end, it went to direct on the metal plate and didnt cover some areas and it touched the round metal pipe from log burner to the chimney which is glossy and the paint is matt







Also the sides of the walls and back are cement rendering but it inst smooth but pitted

Poppycat

I sealed the slate hearth with boiled lineseed oild as instructed by the builder but having left in 4-5 hours there oil still on top, any suggestions what to do, I cant stand the bits of grout you can see in the slate at least wetting the slate hides this

Errata

I lived in an old house which had a slate kitchen floor. I rubbed in milk to keep the slates looking good, and wire wool to shift anything that wouldn't wipe off. HTH

Poppycat

Thanks

Also bought some seasoned logs only when we used them once the glass has got tainted, the manual for log burners says they are green logs. How can I clean the glass, polish doesnt work

Errata

Dab of oven cleaner? Or that stuff for ceramic hobs? You might find whatever wood you burn it could leave a residue on the glass.

never_enough

I know it's sometimes hard to see everything when people are finishing a job. I've missed things myself & it's annoying. Have you spoken to the builder about him coming back?
I think that grey grout would be less obvious. You can buy it ready mixed in a tub if you wanted to redo it yourself.
I've never heard about using linseed to seal slate, but have heard milk works to clean it.
I vaguely remember reading that in some stoves the glass will clean itself. Not quite sure how, or if it's all of them, but maybe worth checking in your manuel? Otherwise it might be a good idea to speak to the shop where you bought it so you don't damage the glass (or get used to dirty glass!?) There is a cleaner called Astonish (Kleeneze & Lakeland sell it) which is quite gentle (you can use it on Agas) which may be suitable.

This can be used to seal slate;
http://www.hgmaintenance.com/products/?applicationID=7

never_enough

http://www.hgmaintenance.com/products/?applicationID=57

cleans glass

nickcardwell

my fire place is slate, and to clean it i was told wd40 does the trick (and not to buy any expensive cleaners)

Poppycat

Thanks. I read that milk and wd40 cleans it having searched goggle, some people claim milk can cause a stink when it goes off

I just checked the slate and the residue of the oil seems to have go rather tacky now rather than when you run you finger along you get a load of oil. I will see how it goes

As for the glass it has a self clean thing (air wash) or something but if you dont use the right logs the manual states it colours with tar. I was assured by the builders one of which supplied us with the logs that there where seasoned. I paid £50 for a pickup load, they are stored in a large garage now out of the rain but I open door during day to let air in, its secure where its kept

peat

If the airwash is not set right you will get blackening of the glass even with the best of logs. Read the manual or consult the stove supplier for advise.

Poppycat

I have a Franco Belge Savoy multi fuel stove.

It says"The Camargue, Belfort, Savoy and Limousin series feature our powerful top air-supply airwash systems to provide cleaner burning and to keep the glass doors free of unsightly deposits." but I seen no mention of this in the manual or searching the PDF

http://www.franco-belge.co.uk/pages/fbmultifuel.html

http://www.franco-belge.co.uk/pdfdownloads/mfinstall/SAVOY_13.PDF