Fireplace Fitter Maldon Essex (CM9): A marvelous way to add some character to any Maldon property is by the installation of a new fireplace, or the renovation of an existing one. Nippy winter evenings can become a pleasure as you sit beside your fireplace surrounded by the crackle of firewood, and if your fire is used in combination with a back boiler you can also benefit from cheap hot water too.
Before you go prising away at a bricked-up chimney there are a few things you will need to consider to make certain you can install your new fireplace in a safe and efficient way. Any combustible appliance in domestic homes in Maldon must conform to Part J of the UK's buildings regulations, and this applies to fireplaces, flue linings, chimney breasts and hearths. If your home is a listed building you will also need to find out if planning permission is necessary from the local council before any work begins.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You might be capable of doing some of the work in restoring a pre-existing fireplace if you have the ability needed, however safety and structural issues are often discovered which need to be resolved professionally. It might be your good fortune when you remove the covering from a disused fireplace to discover a hidden gem which requires little more than a good clear out and a call to a chimney sweep to get a fire roaring once again. More likely you will come across a blocked flue and old brickwork that needs structural reinforcement.
Owing to the acute fire risk and health issues that can be caused by an incorrectly installed or restored fireplace, it is better to avail yourself of the knowledge and experience of a competent fireplace installer in Maldon. According to the Building Regulations, a room that has a fireplace installed in it must have sufficient airflow and oxygen to allow the fire to burn efficiently. Carbon monoxide fumes (which are dangerous can build-up and become a problem in a poorly ventilated area where an inefficently burning fire is installed.
To get past this concern a fireplace specialist in Maldon will evaluate the circumstances and fit vents in the room, or beneath the floors, to guarantee a sufficient amount of air flow for the fire to combust safely and efficiently. Unused and blocked up chimney flues may also need to have air vents installed since they can trap moist air within them and cause damp to develop inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
A substantial amount of dirt and soot can be released from a bricked up chimney upon opening it up for renovation. A fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to cover up your home furnishings and provide a bit of protection, but it is advisable where possible to remove furniture and woven floor coverings from the room before work starts in earnest. If your fireplace is being installed as part of an overall restoration project then it ought to be one of the first things to be done once you have brought the room back to its bare walls and floors. By opening a fireplace first you will avoid any soot from the chimney causing damage to other phases of your renovation project, such as wallpapered walls or fresh plaster.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
With your fireplace open, it's time to see what can be renovated or replaced and give the hearth and chimney a good cleaning. The very first item on your to-do list will be to bring in a proper chimney sweep. Not only will they make sure your flue and chimney are clean, but they can additionally look at the condition of the flue liner and existing chimney and provide guidance if you need to replace any section of the chimney structure and flue.
After a chimney sweep's assessment it may be necessary to strengthen the chimney breast or install a new flue liner as laid down in Part J of the Building Regulations. This kind of work needs to be accomplished by a skilled person with experience of the building regulations and decent working practices.
If it is necessary to modify the width of opening of your existing fireplace to something more suitable for your new design, a concrete supporting lintel must be put in. When your new lintel is in position and secure you can now press on with the upgrade, renovation and installation of the fireplace hearth. You might discover that your existing hearth has been set into the floor, but to be in accordance with latest regulations it must be raised above floor level. Off-the-shelf solutions from concrete, slate or marble are available to achieve this, or your fireplace installer in Maldon may be able to provide you with a bespoke, made to measure hearth to match the style of your room.
STYLES AND DESIGNS OF FIREPLACE
Choosing your ideal fireplace can be challenging amongst the many shapes, sizes and styles available from an online shop or fireplace showroom. It is quite possible that due to your existing flue, chimney and airflow to the room, that some fireplaces might not be suitable, and it's a good idea to follow the the recommendations and advice of the fireplace company with respect to this.
Certain rooms and properties will look better with an open fireplace than a wood burner or multi fuel stove and vice versa. For example, an inglenook fireplace can be an eye-catching backdrop for a classic cast iron wood burning stove, which highlights its charm and reflects the heat into the room.
A cast iron wood burner is also an excellent choice if your Maldon property does not have a chimney breast. As long as you've got an exterior wall through which a flue from the back or top of the stove can be passed, you do not need a chimney structure in place to be able to benefit from that "real" fire experience.
MULTI-FUEL, WOOD, OPEN, ELECTRIC OR GAS FIREPLACE?
Who doesn't enjoy the flickering of a natural fire on a cool evening, however if your circumstances do not allow for this, what other options are available?
Open Fireplaces - The classic fireplace that can use various fuels such as wood, smokeless coal, briquettes and other burnable materials. An open fire is a delight to the eye and modern fireplaces are no longer the draughty, inefficient and smoky items they once were.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As the name suggests multi-fuel stoves can be fired up with with different fuels, such as gas, wood, smokeless coal or oil, and become a unique focal point in any lounge or kitchen in Maldon. The AGA range for example is renowned as being capable of providing heating for an entire house, a constant supply of hot water and a hob and oven all in one useful appliance.
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the tiniest room in Maldon can be improved by the fitting of a wood burner, which are available in a range of styles, and can even be installed free standing. If combined with a back boiler they can provide piping hot water for radiators or for use around the home.
Electric Fireplaces - Can be fitted easily and safely by anyone who's reasonable competent and there are designs and styles that are appropriate for virtually any room and property in Maldon. Even if your house has a traditional fireplace, an electric fire that appears almost like a "real" fire can be fitted.
Gas Fireplaces - There are many designs to suit all property types and their effectiveness in warming a room is better than wood burning stoves. A Gas Safe registered contractor must maintain and install any gas fire in your home, (CORGI was replaced by Gas Safe registered qualification in 2009).
Fireplace installers are available in Woodham Mortimer, Latchingdon, Mundon, Woodham Walter, Goldhanger, Little Baddow, Great Totham, Langford, Beeleigh, Maylandsea, Ulting, in these postcodes: CM9 5EF, CM9 5FJ, CM9 4YQ, CM9 4DL, CM9 5PR, CM9 5LJ, CM9 4QD, CM9 5QA, CM9 5JD, and CM9 4XA, as well as in Maldon itself. If a fireplace service has the telephone dialling code 01621 and the postcode CM9, it's most likely that they hail from the Maldon area. This is one thing you can check if you favour using a locally based fireplace fitter. To acquire details on any aspect of fireplace installation in your area just click the "QUOTE" banner or form.
The Best Way To Retain Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bills
With all the current fears about the environment, the fireplace has lost a little of its charm, however it's still a favourite feature for many householders in Maldon. The natural comfort of a fireplace invokes special recollections for those who've got them. Having a fireplace has its benefits but there are a handful of downsides that could affect its performance. With the cost of energy increasing annually, your fireplace must give out heat in a cost-effective way. While having a fire blazing in a fireplace keeps the people near to it toasty, it can actually suck warm air from other parts of the room, causing your heater to work harder. If you do not have a fire, the damper is supposed to keep heat in. However, dampers are not terribly efficient seals, consequently a lot of the warm air escapes and enables cold air to come into the property.
Many homeowners that possess fireplaces in their home in Maldon do not realise how the fireplace can cause their utility bills to skyrocket. Instead of keeping heating costs down, it can actually do the precise opposite if one is not careful. Just consider that it's not all hopeless because there are techniques for making your fireplace very cost-effective. There are at least 4 easy points that you could certainly do to fix up your fireplace. These definitely will make your fireplace much more effective, and reduce your heating bills.
The first tip is to replace your existing fireplace damper with a new top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is set up at the top of your chimney which in turn also behaves the same as a storm door. It does a good job of retaining warm air in the home during wintertime and cool air from escaping in the warmer months. The seal is simple to fit, and can be obtained online. An additional thing which can be done would be to place a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. It's produced from cast iron and it is used to enhance the look of your fireplace whilst protecting the back wall from heat damage. The fire-back reflects the heat from a fire, and radiates the heat back inside the room, improving the overall performance of the fireplace.
The next thing that can help is a fireplace fan/heater, which heats the air that's being circulated through an internal chamber, and blows it back into the room. These heating devices are sealed systems, hence no smoke is emitted, and they can really make a huge difference to the temperature of your house. The last and final thing you're able to do is to fix glass doors, which may be your biggest expense. Browsing around, you will be able to locate a bargain, and with instructions, you could possibly fit them on your own. Glass doors can keep the air in your home from escaping and also help to save your pets and children from falling into the flames.
The suggestions given here aren't terribly hard to accomplish and you should be able to buy most of the items from the internet. Preserve your existing fireplace and decrease heating expenses by making it more efficient.
Flue Linings
A flue liner is a vital part of your chimney system, enabling it to perform a lot more effectively than it would without one, and improving the overall safety of your home. Flue liners are conduits fabricated from clay, metal or ceramic material that are fitted to the inside of chimneys to carry smoke and fumes outside. Some chimneys in older homes in Maldon might not even be fitted with a flue lining, or if the current liner is defective, may have to be re-lined.
The dangerous gases which are created when burning a fire can eat away at your chimney's flue lining. Make sure your fireplace installer assesses the flue for damage and possible problems. If it is damaged, those toxic gases could possibly seep into your home rather than being properly vented outdoors. There's additionally the danger of fires inside the home as an impaired flue liner can enable intense heat to penetrate the chimney's structure.
Chimney Sweeping Maldon
It's easy to postpone a routine household task like sweeping the chimney, but if you've got a wood burner or an open fire, it's crucial that this is done regularly. Chimney cleaning and sweeping should generally be carried out at least once annually.
The best course of action to get this done is to contact a specialist Maldon chimney sweep, who'll complete the work properly and without mess. If there are any safety issues or problems with your chimney, your chimney sweep will be able to spot them and let you know about them.
If you don't regularly sweep your chimney in Maldon, the resulting accumulation of ash, soot and wood tar can easily lead to a chimney fire. An equally hazardous situation that can arise as a result of a badly maintained chimney is carbon monoxide fumes being drawn back into your property.
Make certain you choose a trustworthy chimney sweep in Maldon, and check that they're covered by public liability insurance in the event of accidents or damages. To obtain a price for chimney sweeping in Maldon GO HERE.
Browsing on the Internet
In this day and age the majority of home owners in Maldon who are trying to find tradesmen and services of any kind are likely to "Google it", in other words search for them on the internet. As you are checking out this web page right now, you almost certainly stumbled on it by doing a search on Ask, Yahoo, Google or Bing. At first glance it may appear that the listings displayed on the opening page are exactly what you were looking for, but that is not invariably the reality. Thinking of a suitable search phrase is important when you are looking around for a particular service, and in this case it might be something along the lines of "Maldon fireplace installation", "fireplace installation near me", "fireplace installation Maldon" or "fireplace installation in Maldon".
The results that will come up however, will mainly be "pay per click" advertising, internet directories like Yelp, Hotfrog, 3 Best Rated or Yell, or entries from the top trade portals such as My Builder, Local Heroes, Rated People, Checkatrade, Quotatis or TrustaTrader. If you navigate to the second or third pages of the listing results you may perhaps stand a greater chance of finding websites belonging to actual fireplace installers nearby. Therefore you must navigate further to find those. Clearly, lots of fireplace fitters in Maldon still haven't got their own company websites, therefore if that's the case you could happily use one of the various trademan vetting portals such as Trustatrader or Rated People where you are able to get free quotations, consider customers appraisals and read through reviews
Maldon Fireplace Related Tasks
There are a number of different tasks that can be carried out by your local Maldon fireplace specialist including freestanding stoves, electric fire suites, wood burning fireplace installation, hearth fireplaces Maldon, period fireplaces, fireplace repairs, limestone fireplaces, 3-sided fireplaces Maldon, fireplace replacement, fireplaces, fireplace surrounds, chimney sweeping, fireplace inserts, open fireplaces, cheap fireplace installation, electric fireplace installations in Maldon, fake fireplaces, double-sided stoves, stone fireplace installations, 2-sided fireplaces, fireplace design Maldon, electric fireplaces, cast iron fireplaces, marble fireplace surrounds, fireplace mantels, fake fireplace installation Maldon, multifuel stoves, made-to-measure fireplaces, gas fireplace installation, inglenook fireplaces, oak beam fireplaces, wood burning stove installations, gas fireplaces in Maldon, wood burning fireplaces, stone fireplaces, and more. Listed are just a small portion of the duties that are conducted by people fitting fireplaces. Maldon providers will be delighted to keep you abreast of their entire range of fireplace services.
Information and Advice
To learn the type of social media marketing that's done on fireplaces, check this out. To read an enlightening article about fireplace decorating ideas head here. Wikipedia is a great place to go to if you'd like to read more about fireplaces, their page discusses the different types of fireplaces, the history of the fireplace, how fireplaces affect the environment, gas fireplaces, the heating efficiency of fireplaces and the health effects of fireplaces. To follow discussions in relation to fireplace installation go to the Buildhub Forum here, discussion threads include log burning stoves, chimney flues, pellet boilers and stoves, widening fireplaces, trims for stoves and understanding building regulations. See a YouTube video on do-it-yourself fireplace installation here.
Fireplace Installers Near Maldon
Also find: Woodham Walter fireplace installers, Woodham Mortimer fireplace installers, Beeleigh fireplace installers, Goldhanger fireplace installers, Langford fireplace installers, Great Totham fireplace installers, Mundon fireplace installers, Latchingdon fireplace installers, Ulting fireplace installers, Little Baddow fireplace installers, Maylandsea fireplace installers and more. It is possible to get fireplaces installed in almost all of these villages and towns. The adept installation of a fireplace in your property is well within the capabilities of these professional tradesmen, given their experience and know-how. With the help of these dedicated specialists, residents can enjoy the warmth, comfort and ambiance that a fireplace brings to their living areas. By simply clicking here, fireplace installation quotes are readily accessible to local householders.
More Maldon Tradespeople: Whenever you're looking at doing improvements to your home in Maldon, Essex, it's quite possible you'll need several different tradespeople over the course of the project, and whilst you may be currently searching for a local Maldon fireplace installer, you might also be in the market for a carpet fitter in Maldon, an electrician in Maldon, a carpenter in Maldon, waste removal in Maldon, a plasterer in Maldon, a chimney sweep in Maldon, a plumber in Maldon, a roofing contractor in Maldon, a cleaner in Maldon, a tiler in Maldon, SKIP HIRE in Maldon, a builder in Maldon, a stonemason in Maldon, a painter and decorator in Maldon, an odd job man in Maldon, a bricklayer in Maldon, and more.
Fireplaces Maldon
Fireplace Fitter Near Maldon
Fireplace Installation MaldonTo find out local Maldon information look here
Fireplace installation in CM9 area, and dialling code 01621.
Fireplace Installation Services Maldon - Domestic Fireplaces Maldon - Fireplace Designs Maldon - Fireplace Installation Quotations Maldon - CM9 - Fireplace Installers Maldon - Fireplace Ideas Maldon - Fireplaces Maldon - Fireplace Maldon