Fireplace Fitter Cheam Greater London (SM2): Re-opening up an unused fireplace or having a new one put in is an excellent way to add character to any room in your home in Cheam. The addition of an open fire or wood burning stove for those frosty winter evenings can even prove to be more cost effective than some central heating systems, as long as you have a ready source of fuel. If combined with a back boiler it can provide you with a plentiful supply of steaming hot water in the process.
Before you go chipping away at a bricked-up chimney there are some things you'll need to consider to make certain you can safely install your new fireplace. All work carried out must follow Part J of the Building Regulations, which covers the construction and installation of flue linings, fireplaces, chimney breasts and hearths of any combustible appliance. Planning permission may also have to be sought before work begins if your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
If you have the skills needed, and are a keen and competent DIY-er you might be capable of doing some of the restoration work on an old or existing fireplace, but professional help might be needed if structural problems arise during the process. You might be fortunate when you reveal the old fireplace and discover that you need nothing more than a decent chimney sweep and a quick clean up of the hearth to get your fire roaring. What you will most likely discover is a pile of crumbling, old bricks that conceals issues such as a blocked chimney or a lintel that needs replacing.
Hiring a professional fireplace installer in Cheam is normally advised, as a fireplace that is poorly installed can can cause a fire risk and respiratory health issues. According to the Building Regulations (Part J), a room with a fireplace must have ample oxygen and airflow to allow the fire to burn correctly. A fire that is burning inefficiently in an inadequately ventilated room can result in an accumulation of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
To ensure an adequate air flow for the fire to combust efficiently and safely, a specialist fireplace installation technician will assess the situation at hand and place vents in locations around the room, or underneath the floor, thus resolving this problem. Vents might also need to be fitted into blocked chimney flues which frequently cause damp areas and staining to to your chimney breast, due to trapped moist air.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
A huge amount of soot and grime can be discharged from an old fireplace upon reopening it for restoration. It is advised to remove your your carpets and furniture before any fireplace renovation work and chimney sweeping begins, because even with covers and other dust protection for your furniture, the risk of damage from muck and soot is still quite likely. If you are performing a complete renovation of a room or house, the fireplace ought to be opened up and worked on before any decoration or plastering works are undertaken. This will help to prevent any harm by soot and other chimney dirt to any previously completed renovation work.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
Now you can see the opening of your fireplace it's time to clean and sweep the hearth and chimney and see what can be refurbished. Contacting a proper chimney sweep to clean your chimney will be one of the first things on your to-do-list. Apart from sweeping and cleaning the flue and chimney, they will also assess the condition of your flue liner and chimney and tell you about any part of the chimney structure and flue that needs replacing.
Construction could be needed to strengthen the existing breast and chimney, and a new flue lining might also have to be put in. All this work must comply with the all important UK Building Regulations which are of course there for you and your family's safety. These are jobs that need to be done by a competent craftsman with a good understanding of the appropriate building regs and sound construction skills.
It is possible that a new concrete lintel will have to be installed, if the revealed fireplace is of a size which is larger than your requirements. Once you've supported the fireplace with your lintel it will then be time to upgrade or repair the hearth. You might discover that your existing hearth has been set into a floor void, however to conform to latest regulations it must be raised slightly above floor level. You could think about asking your fireplace builder in Cheam about a bespoke, custom-built hearth to match the design and style of your house, or if you have a standard sized fireplace, you can choose from a wide range of ready to fit options in stone, marble and slate.
FIREPLACE DESIGNS
Choosing your perfect fireplace can be difficult when faced with the different styles available from a fireplace showroom or online shop. Not all fireplaces will be suitable for your chimney and flue and it's sensible to accept any advice from your sales and installation team in relation to your particular situation.
Whether you opt for a multi-fuel stove, a wood burner or an open fireplace will depend on the all round style that you're trying to establish, your existing decor and perhaps even, the age of your house in Cheam. For example, the most perfect backdrop to a wood burning stove is an inglenook fireplace, which not only puts a focus on its character and charm but is also brilliant at redirecting any heat that is produced back into the room.
Even if you don't have a pre-existing chimney in your Cheam home, it is still feasible to put in a multi-fuel or wood burning stove. So long as you have an outside wall through which a stainless steel flue from the top or back of the stove can be channeled, you don't need a chimney structure to experience a real fire.
OPEN, GAS, MULTI-FUEL, WOOD OR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?
Who doesn't enjoy the crackling of an open fireplace on a cold winters' evening, but if your circumstances do not allow for this, what are the other alternatives?
Gas Fireplaces - There are a range of designs to suit all types of house and their efficiency to warm a room is superior to wood burning stoves. You'll need a Gas Safe authorised heating engineer to fit one these fireplaces in your house in Cheam.
Electric Fireplaces - Anybody who is reasonably capable can safely and easily install one of these fireplaces, and the wide range of styles make these the obvious choice for property owners in Cheam. Can be set into conventional fireplaces, and with "real feel" electric fires it can often be difficult to distinguish one from the genuine thing.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - To introduce an interesting focal point in your property in Cheam, these can be run on an assortment of fuels, such as gas, coal, oil or wood. Some designs, such as the multi-fuel stoves from AGA, can also be used for cooking, providing hot water and heating your whole property.
Open Fireplaces - The traditional fireplace which can use different fuels such as smokeless coal, briquettes, wood and other combustible materials. A skillfully fitted open fire is a far cry from the old style smoky fireplace that was perhaps blocked up by past owners, and its glowing elegance is a welcome addition to any home in Cheam.
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the smallest room in Cheam can be improved by the fitting of a wood burner, which are available in a variety of styles, and, if necessary, can even be fitted as a free standing feature. An additional benefit of these products is that they can provide piping hot water for use around the home, or supply heating to another room by means of a radiator, when used in tandem with a back boiler.
It's not only in Cheam itself that you can find fireplace fitters - neighbouring areas like: Lower Morden, The Wrythe, Rosehill, Little Woodcote, North Cheam, Nork, South Beddington, Benhilton, Stoneleigh, Woodmansterne, West Sutton, Tolworth can also be covered. If they have the telephone dialling code 020 and the postcode SM2, it's a good bet that they work in Cheam or someplace nearby. This is obviously something you can confirm if you favour using a local fireplace company.
Flue Linings
Fitted to improve the safety and efficiency of your chimney system, a chimney or flue liner is crucial and should never be omitted whatever the circumstances. Running the entire length of the inside of the chimney, flue liners are ducts that can be manufactured from various different materials including clay, ceramics or metal. They transport fumes outside your home. Subject to their condition and age, older chimneys in Cheam might need to be re-lined, or may not be fitted with a flue lining at all.
Your fireplace flue lining can, over time, be compromised by the dangerous gases that are created by burning a fire. You could either get the chimney sweep to assess it for damages as your chimney is being swept and cleaned, or alternatively you could ask your fireplace installer to inspect it. You need to stop those harmful gases from seeping into your living area, which is what can occur when a flue lining is impaired. There's furthermore the risk of fires in the property because a damaged flue liner can let extreme heat penetrate the chimney structure.
Hints To Maintain Your Open Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bill
With all the current green issues, the fireplace has lost a little of its allure, but it still is a favourite feature for many people in Cheam. The natural ambiance of an open fireplace invokes special remembrances for those who have them. Having an open fireplace has its many perks and benefits but there are also several issues which could affect its performance. With power costs rising so swiftly nowadays, your fireplace should be a reliable source of heat, not one of inefficiency. When you've got a fire going in the fireplace, it can literally remove warm air away from the room, making your heater work harder. The hearth damper is meant to stop cold air from entering your home when you haven't got a fire going in the fireplace. Yet, dampers are generally not particularly effective seals, consequently all of the warm air escapes and allows cold air to enter the property.
What many homeowners in Cheam may not understand about their fireplace is that it does not always do what they imagine it is doing. Rather than conserving resources, and heating costs, it is generally adding hundreds of pounds of energy expenditure. Nevertheless, there are some techniques that can be done that will be able to turn your budget busting fireplace into something a lot more efficient. There are at least 4 easy elements that you could certainly do to improve your fireplace. You will recognize that these guidelines will help to make your fireplace create quality heat and your current heating bill smaller.
The very first thing to do is to replace the damper with a top sealing damper. This kind of damper is mounted at the top end of the chimney, and acts like a storm door. The top sealing damper keeps the air in your home from escaping and works very well in both warm and cold weather. It is not that challenging to put in and may also be easily bought online. An additional thing which can be done is to fit a fire-back at the rear of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate that is designed to add to the room design, while saving the back wall from damage due to the fires. The fire-back also absorbs heat coming from the fire and channels it back into the room, making your fireplace more efficient.
Another cost saver is a fireplace heater/fan, which heats the room by drawing the air into a chamber and recycling the air back into the room. These devices do not release any smoke and are be very successful in keeping your house warm and cosy. The last and final thing that you can do is to install glass doors, which could be your biggest expense. Searching around, you will be able to find a good deal, and with an instruction manual, you can even install them yourself. These doors create a screen between your living space and the chimney, not only stopping the heat from escaping, but also affording some protection to the inhabitants.
The guidance we just presented isn't difficult to put into action, and all of the required products can be purchased online, or from your local stockist. Simply do your utmost to ensure your fireplace is efficient and see your heating bill plummet.
Chimney Repair
Maintaining a safe and efficient fireplace or heating system requires giving due attention to chimney repair. Over time, wear and tear can cause chimneys to develop issues like leaks, blockages or cracks. Prompt repairs play a crucial role in preventing potential hazards, including exposure to carbon monoxide and fire. By availing the services of professional chimney repair in Cheam, these problems can be addressed, ensuring safety compliance and optimal chimney performance. Extending the chimney's life expectancy and reducing the necessity for costly repairs in the future, regular inspections and repairs afford householders peace of mind and a reliable heating source. (88224 - Chimney Repairs Cheam)
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Fireplace Installers Near Cheam
Also find: Woodmansterne fireplace installers, South Beddington fireplace installers, The Wrythe fireplace installers, Rosehill fireplace installers, Benhilton fireplace installers, North Cheam fireplace installers, West Sutton fireplace installers, Stoneleigh fireplace installers, Lower Morden fireplace installers, Nork fireplace installers, Little Woodcote fireplace installers, Tolworth fireplace installers and more. All these locations are served by people who fit fireplaces. To successfully install fireplaces in your home, these skilled tradesmen have the necessary experience and knowledge. With the assistance of these dedicated experts, residents can enjoy the comfort, warmth and ambiance that a fireplace brings to their living areas. By clicking here, local property owners can obtain fireplace installation price quotes.
Cheam Fireplace Related Tasks
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