Problem with smoke from next doors burner.

Soconfused14

I will start by saying I dont like my neighbours. They are totally self absorbed and dont even seem to think about how what they do impacts others.

They have just built an extension on the back of their house. All was fine, completed shell and they are now doing the inside themselves. Had a few issues with them making noise early on a weekend but had a word and all sorted. Even told them that we dont mind them making noise in the evening as our kids are older.

However, just before christmas they had a wood burner installed and the ugliest flue fastened to the side of their house. The problem is that we are getting all the smoke in our house and garden. My windows have vents I keep open so dont get mould and so when they start burning, my house smells of smoke. This also means I cant open my windows for ventilation and I cant use my garden to hang out my washing. I cant even go to the bin at the side of the house cos the wind sort of sling shots round my house, always has done, so the smoke comes there too. 

It really stinks and I am thinking they are not using the right wood/coke to burn. I know what they are like and from past experience , wouldnt put it past them to be using any old rubbish on it. 
We live in a Smoke free area and the burner causes black smoke to come out of the chimney/flue. Once or twice actual plumes of black smoke have come over the fence.

I need to go and see them but want to be sure of my facts before I do.

If you have one of these, is this normal or not? 

diystarter7

Hi OP

I feel for you are these lot are clearly selfish
Have you told them?
Check if your area is a smoke free zone and read link below very helpful IMO
then decide. I'm sure others suffering from this plight will post in order to help.

https://www.problemneighbours.co.uk/neighbour-guide-wood-burning-stoves-chimineas.html

Good luck

edit 2nd link added
https://www.problemneighbours.co.uk/wood-burning-stove-can-neighbour-object.html

grumbler

A photo of the chimney an both roofs?

ThisIsWeird

And keep a record of the smoke emissions, dated, timed, and a short description of the smell... With photos.

Soconfused14

Thanks for all your replies.
What I need to know is if its normal for the smoke to be black or not. Should there be a smell like a bonfire?
I thought that it should burn no smoke at all.

FreeBear

Any smoke should be white and there shouldn't be much of a smell (although that bit is subjective). If you have plumes of acrid black smoke, you are burning the wrong stuff.

Doozergirl

Soconfused14 said:

Thanks for all your replies.
What I need to know is if its normal for the smoke to be black or not. Should there be a smell like a bonfire?
I thought that it should burn no smoke at all.

And what we're interested in initially is whether the flue is in the right place to meet the building regulations.  🙂 

It shouldn't really be bothering you that much. I've got mine on in the garden office today and I can smell it outside, but the smoke is white.  

As freebear says, whether it is pleasant is subjective, but I've always found others burning to be a comforting smell when I'm out and about as opposed to having camp fire smell in your hair 🤢 

Perhaps it isn't burning cleanly or hasn't been installed by the right people.   Pictures will help.  

plumb1_2

He’s not a electrician burning cable? Should have been installed by a Hetas qualified fitter.

FreeBear

plumb1_2 said: Should have been installed by a Hetas qualified fitter.

You can DIY a stove installation as long as it is signed off by Building Control.

Soconfused14

Was installed correctly as far as I know ,as guy that did it had works van with company logos on.
I pretty sure its what he is burning. He had another burner a few years ago in his shed and had same issue with that but that was only a few times a month, this is all day every day.

Chickereeeee

Anybody that installs a wood burning stove doesn't care about their neighbours. Apart from, maybe, right out in the country, they should be banned.