Fireplace Fitter Seaham County Durham (SR7): Fitting a new fireplace or re-opening an old disused fireplace in your Seaham property is a good way to add character and a homely feel to any room. The addition of an open fire or wood burning stove for those frosty winter evenings can even prove to be more economical than certain central heating systems, as long as you have a good source of timber. If used in combination with a back boiler it can provide you with plentiful steaming hot water in the process.
Before you begin bashing away at a blocked up chimney there are a few things you will need to do to make sure you can safely install your new fireplace. All work must comply with Part J of the Building Regulations, which covers the construction and installation of chimney breasts, hearths, fireplaces and flue linings of any combustible appliance. If your property is a listed building you will also need to find out if planning permission is necessary from the local council before any work can begin.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you are an enthusiastic and competent DIY'er it may be quite possible to renovate an existing blocked or bricked-up fireplace, but the chance of encountering structural issues in the majority of cases is high. It might be the case that when you pull back the boarding surrounding a disused fireplace to find a hidden gem which requires nothing more than a good clean and a check from a chimney sweep to get a roaring fire going once again. More likely you'll come across old brickwork that requires structural reinforcement and a blocked flue.
Owing to the serious fire risk and health issues that can be caused by an improperly installed or restored fireplace, it is best to avail yourself of the knowledge and experience of a professional fireplace fitter and builder in Seaham. As is laid down in the Building Regulations for fireplaces, there must be enough airflow in a room where there is a fireplace, because in order for it to burn properly, the right quantity of oxygen is necessary. If the airflow is not good enough then it is quite possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
To get past this problem a professional fireplace installation team will consider the circumstances and fit vents around the room, or under the floors, to ensure an adequate airflow for the fire to burn safely and effectively. They might have to install vents in unused chimney flues which can sometimes trap moist air and lead to damp spots and staining to your chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
An enormous amount of soot and dirt can be discharged from a bricked up chimney when reopening it for renovation. It is wise to remove any carpets, furniture and rugs from a room where you're going to uncover an old fireplace, to prevent them being damaged by dirt, soot and dust that will be whipped up during the fireplace installation and chimney cleaning work. If you're fortunate enough to be working on a full renovation project then it should be one of the first tasks to concentrate on before you re-plaster or decorate the walls. This should help to prevent any impairment by soot and dirt to any completed work.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
Once you have exposed your old fireplace you'll have a better understanding of what work needs to be done, and also be able to rigorously sweep the chimney and clear out any parts of hearth that is still in position. The very first job on your to-do list will be to bring in a proper chimney sweep. A chimney sweep will first clean the flue and while doing this can check the structural condition of the chimney and offer you guidance on whether you need a new flue lining.
If it is necessary to install a new flue liner or strengthen the chimney all Building Regulations must be followed. An experienced fireplace installer and builder in Seaham will be required to complete this task, and should have the skills and knowledge of construction to follow all regulations.
If you need to adjust the width of opening of your exposed fireplace to something smaller and more suitable for your new design, a supporting concrete lintel will have to be installed. When this is complete the next phase of your fireplace installation in Seaham will be to upgrade the hearth. You may find the original hearth has been sunken into a floor void, but to conform to current regulations it is required to be raised above floor level. You can get custom-made options to fit any size and design of fireplace, or you can select from a range of popular size and shape hearths to fit in with your decor.
DESIGNS AND STYLES OF FIREPLACE
A trip to a fireplace showroom or a browse online will demonstrate the choices available for the different fireplace designs and styles. It is entirely possible that because of your current chimney and flue, that some fireplaces might not be suitable, therefore it's a good idea to follow the the advice and recommendations of your fireplace company with respect to this.
Whether you go with a wood burner, a multi-fuel stove or an open fireplace will be based on the all round look you're trying to establish, your existing decor and perhaps, the age of your property. If you have an inglenook fireplace, a wood burning stove can look striking in this surrounding, and also has the benefit of effectively deflecting the heat into the room from the stone or brick walls surrounding the stove.
Even if you do not have a chimney in your Seaham home, it is still possible to install a wood burning or multi fuel stove. A chimney is not needed in this instance since a stainless steel flue is fitted to the top or rear of the stove and channeled through an exterior wall.
WOOD, MULTI-FUEL, GAS, ELECTRIC OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
The charm and ambience of an open fire can't be surpassed, but what options are out there if this type of fireplace is not possible within your Seaham home?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As the name indicates they can be used with a range of fuels, such as smokeless coal, oil, wood or gas, and become an attractive focal point in any lounge or kitchen in Seaham. They can be used not simply for heating a single room, but some types such as the AGA collection, can supply hot water, provide a useful cooking area and can be used to heat the complete home if they are plumbed into a radiator network.
Wood Burning Stoves - A wide range of styles to suit any kind of home in Seaham, and can even be a freestanding feature. If coupled with a back boiler these can provide steaming hot water to heat radiators or for use in your home.
Electric Fireplaces - Electric fireplaces can be fitted easily and safely by any competent individual and there are styles and designs which are suitable for virtually any room and type of property in Seaham. Even if your property has a traditional fireplace, an electric fire which looks almost like a "real" fire can be installed.
Gas Fireplaces - Providing instant heat and more efficient when compared to wood burning stoves or open fireplaces, there are a multitude of designs to suit any type of Seaham home. Have to be professionally fitted and maintained by a Gas Safe certified technician.
Open Fireplaces - The traditional fireplace which can use different fuels such as briquettes, wood, smokeless coal and other burnable materials. An open fire is a delight to the eye and contemporary fireplaces are no more the draughty, smoky and inefficient items they were in the past.
Fireplace installation work can be undertaken in Seaham and also in nearby places like: Wearside, Ryhope, South Hetton, Dalton-le-Dale, East Herrington, Hawthorn, Dawdon, Cold Hesledon, Silksworth, Seaham Grange, as well as in these postcodes SR7 0AJ, SR7 0PP, SR7 0BL, SR7 0HT, SR7 0YT, SR7 0BU, SR7 7BH, SR7 7AB, SR7 0BE, and SR7 0HX. Seaham fireplace services should have the postcode SR7 and the dialling code 0191.
Chimney Sweep Seaham
No matter whether you have a wood burning stove or an open fire, it is important to get your chimney swept on a regular basis. To be totally safe, it is best to clean and sweep your chimney two times per year, especially if you are burning coal or wood.
This is a filthy job, so it is wise to call in a professional Seaham chimney sweep. While the chimney sweep is cleaning your chimney, he'll also be keeping an eye out for any safety issues or problems, so that they can then be promptly resolved.
Routine sweeping helps prevent a build-up of soot, ash and creosote, a common cause of chimney fires. Toxic carbon monoxide fumes can also flow back into your home if you allow your chimney to become poorly maintained.
Check that your chosen chimney sweep in Seaham is adequately covered by public liability insurance, and is skilled in this field. GO HERE to get a chimney sweeps quote in Seaham.
Tips To Take Care Of Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Costs
With all of the current worries about the environment, the traditional fireplace has lost a little of its allure, but it still is a favourite feature for many householders in Seaham. Sitting in front of the heat of a fireplace, brings back many cherished memories for a lot of people. There are lots of benefits to having a fireplace however there are several drawbacks that might need to be dealt with. With the cost of energy rising each year, your fireplace has to give out heat in a very cost-effective way. When a fire is burning, it may possibly warm up those standing right in front of it, but it can in fact pull warm air out of the room, making your heater work even harder. The fireplace damper is supposed to keep cold air from entering your home when you haven't got a fire going in the fireplace. Unfortunately, fireplace dampers are renowned for being inefficient in keeping warm air in the home and cold air out.
Plenty of property owners in Seaham with a fireplace don't realise how it can impact the cost of heating. Instead of warming a home naturally, a fireplace can actually add hundreds of pounds to the cost of your heating. There's a simple way to take your inefficient fireplace, and turn it into a heat creating system that your budget will love. There are at least four easy points that you can do to fix up your fireplace. Each of these is going to make your fireplace very economical and more efficient.
The initial thing that should be done is to replace the existing damper with a new top sealing damper. This style of damper is set up at the top end of the chimney, and acts like a storm door. It does a superb job of keeping warm air in the house during winter months and cool air from escaping in the warmer months. It doesn't take much time to install and you can get one online. Another thing you're able to do is to position a fire-back at the rear of your fireplace. A fire-back consists of cast iron and it is meant to protect the back wall from fire damage, while at the same time making your fireplace look more stylish. The fire-back basically heats up from the fire and reflects the heat back into a room, consequently enhancing the fireplace's efficiency.
Another cost saver is a fireplace heater, which heats the space by drawing the air into a chamber and recycling the air back into the room. These heaters do not produce any smoke and are be very effective in keeping your property warm and cosy. And finally, putting in glass doors, even though a bit on the expensive side, can be effective in making your open fire economical to run. If you do your homework, you can definitely get a good deal on glass doors and they're not that hard to install yourself. These doors create a buffer between your living space and the fireplace, not only stopping the heat from escaping, but also providing protection.
All these ideas are simple to implement, and the products can be sourced online. Get the best from your fireplace and observe your energy bills drop.
Flue Linings
A flue liner is an important part of the chimney structure on your house, allowing it to perform more effectively than it would without one, and improving it's overall safety. Installed inside chimneys to carry smoke and fumes outside, flue liners are conduits manufactured from ceramic material, clay or metal. Some older chimneys in Seaham might not even be fitted with a flue liner, or if the existing liner is impaired, may need to be re-lined.
Dangerous fumes and gases can be generated by burning fires and these can easily damage the flue lining of your chimney. Ensure that your fireplace specialist inspects the flue lining for possible problems and damage. If it is compromised, those toxic gases might be able to seep into your home rather than being properly vented outdoors. Excessive heat may also be permitted to penetrate the chimney's structure, generating the possibility of fires.
Searching On the Internet For Fireplace Installation in Seaham
If you're looking for services or tradesmen in Seaham, you will in all likelihood go online initially to check out what is available. Immediate and relevant results are the main advantage of using Bing, Google, Yahoo or Ask, which are available for this particular purpose. However, the search engines already mentioned sometimes produce the first page listings which are not the most focused. In this specific case you will be keying in something like "fireplace installation Seaham", "Seaham fireplace installation", "fireplace installation in Seaham" or "fireplace installation near me" to track down a suitable individual.
For your information, you will generally discover that the first and last 4 listings are all too often some kind of PPC advertising, while most of the rest will likely be online directories such as Yelp, Three Best Rated, Free Index or Yell, or entries for large lead generating sites like TrustaTrader, Rated People, Local Heroes, Quotatis, My Hammer or Checkatrade, which might or might not be of any use. The web sites belonging to bona fide fireplace installers in Seaham are likely to be largely unseen on page 2 or 3 of the search engine listings, therefore you will need to delve much deeper if you prefer to contact fireplace installers directly.
More Help and Advice
You can visit the Wikipedia webpage to read information about the health effects of fireplaces, the history of the fireplace, fireplace heating efficiency, wood burning fireplaces, the environmental effects of fireplaces and the different types of fireplace. Fireplace Installation advice and guidance is readily accessible from internet forums, so to take advantage of this you should pop along to the Buildhub Forum, topics include understanding building regulations, stove vents, log burning stoves, chimney design, widening fireplaces and pellet stoves and boilers. See a step by step You Tube guide on how to install and restore a Victorian cast iron fireplace range here. There's a great deal high quality info about fireplace installation on the internet these days, and to discover more about elegant fireplace designs click here. To see the kind of social media marketing that is being done on fireplaces, check this out.
Seaham Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a variety of work that can be carried out by your local Seaham fireplace company including multifuel stoves Seaham, fireplace repairs, chimney lining, open fireplaces, marble fireplace installations, oak beam fireplaces Seaham, inset stove installation, fireplacequotations, wood burning stove installations, wood burning fireplaces, inglenook fireplace, cheap fireplace installation in Seaham, freestanding stoves, limestone fireplace, fireplace surrounds Seaham, fireplace services, fireplace refurbishment, cast iron fireplaces, gas fireplaces, brick fireplace installations in Seaham, Victorian fireplaces Seaham, fireplace fitting, flue liner installation, fireplace replacement, fire grate conversions, bespoke fireplaces, fireplace hearths in Seaham, fireplace inserts, and more. Listed are just a small portion of the tasks that are performed by those installing fireplaces. Seaham professionals will inform you of their whole range of fireplace related services.
Seaham Skip Hire
Garden revamps and home renovations make us feel better about our lives and our properties in Seaham, but even so, as with almost everything that make us feel good there are negative aspects, and in this instance it is the mounds of waste that are generated. Subject to your particular situation, fireplace installations will create different quantities of waste. Now some tradespeople will be prepared to take this waste away for you, and recycle it in an eco-friendly way, while others will simply leave you to deal with it on your own.
Regardless of whether the tradesperson is sorting this out or you are doing it yourself, hiring a skip will usually be the best solution for waste removal. No matter what amount of rubbish is involved, there will be a perfect skip size on offer. For small projects you can choose skip bags and mini-skips, for bigger home refurbishments and garden clearances there are midi-skips and standard builders skips, and for commercial use or really huge projects, roll-on roll-off skips are the best solution.
To check the current skip hire prices in Seaham GO HERE.
Fireplace Installers Near Seaham
Also find: East Herrington fireplace installers, Silksworth fireplace installers, Hawthorn fireplace installers, Cold Hesledon fireplace installers, Dawdon fireplace installers, Wearside fireplace installers, Dalton-le-Dale fireplace installers, Seaham Grange fireplace installers, Ryhope fireplace installers, South Hetton fireplace installers and more. Fireplace installation services are widely available in all these locations. These seasoned tradesmen's experience and know-how make them well-suited for the successful installation of fireplaces in your property. The warmth, ambiance and comfort that a fireplace brings to their living spaces can be experienced by residents with the help of these dedicated professionals. Local property owners can get estimates by clicking here. Why not get started with your fireplace installation right away?
Fireplaces Seaham
Fireplace Fitter Near Seaham
Fireplace Installation SeahamIf you want local Seaham info check here
Fireplace installation in SR7 area, phone code 0191.
Domestic Fireplaces Seaham - Marble Fireplaces Seaham - Fireplace Fitter Seaham - SR7 - Fireplaces Seaham - Fireplace Ideas Seaham - Fireplace Installation Quotations Seaham - Fireplace Fitters Seaham - Fireplace Designs Seaham