Fireplace Fitter Chudleigh Devon (TQ13): The installation of a new fireplace, or the renovation of an existing one is a good way to add a bit of charm to any Chudleigh home. If you integrate a back boiler with your brand new fireplace, not only can you delight in the warmth and ambience of an open fire during the nippy winters' evenings, you will also be supplied with a plentiful supply of piping hot water.
If you are to wind up with a safe and efficient fireplace, there are some vital considerations you must keep in mind, before you start smashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace. All work carried out must abide by Part J of the Building Regulations, which covers the construction and installation of fireplaces, flue linings, hearths and chimney breasts of any heat producing appliance. If you are living in a designated conservation area or a listed building you must check with local authorities to see if planning permission is necessary for a fireplace installation in your house.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
If you're a keen do-it-yourselfer it is quite possible to renovate an existing blocked or bricked-up fireplace, but the likelihood of encountering structural issues in the majority of cases is unfortunately high. You might find that the chimney breast, lintel and hearth are in good working order, when you have exposed your old fireplace, and the hidden treasure beneath needs little more than the services of a chimney sweep. Much more likely you will come across crumbling brickwork that needs structural reinforcement and a stopped up flue.
Owing to the severe health and fire risk problems that can be caused by a poorly fitted or renovated fireplace, it is advisable to rely on the experience and knowledge of a skilled fireplace fitter in Chudleigh. There must always be enough airflow into a room where a fireplace is installed to guarantee sufficient levels of oxygen for the fire to burn properly. Carbon monoxide fumes (which are poisonous can build-up in an inadequately ventilated area where a fire that is burning inefficiently is installed.
An experienced fireplace installation engineer will evaluate the circumstances and get over this challenge to guarantee an adequate amount of air flow for the fireplace to burn safely and effectively, by installing vents around the room, or underneath the flooring. Vents may also have to be fitted into blocked chimney flues which can sometimes cause damp spots and stains to to the chimney breast, due to trapped condensing air.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
A substantial amount of muck and soot can be discharged from an old chimney when opening it up for renovation. So that any furniture, carpets and rugs inside a room do not get adversely affected by the soot and muck that is released during the fireplace installation work, it's good practice to have them removed beforehand. When it is merely part of a more substantial home refurbishment project, opening up a fireplace should be one of the first things that you do, because of the mess involved. This helps prevent any discolouration damage to any restored work you've already completed.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
As soon as the old fireplace has been opened up and revealed, you'll get a much clearer concept of the refurbishment work that needs to be undertaken. You can then also proceed to sweep the chimney and clean any repairable portions of the hearth. The very first thing on your to-do list should be to bring in a decent Chudleigh chimney sweep. Apart from cleaning the flue and chimney, they'll also consider the condition of your flue liner and chimney and tell you about any element of the chimney structure and flue that needs replacing.
After an examination by a professional chimney sweep, and observing Part J of the Building Regulations, work to strengthen the chimney and/or install a new liner could be needed. A competent craftsman with experience of the Building Regulations and decent construction practices will need to carry out this work.
It is quite possible that a supporting concrete lintel will be required, if the existing fireplace is of a size that's larger than your requirements. Once this is complete the next phase of your Chudleigh fireplace installation should be to update the old hearth. To remain in accordance with the latest Building Regulations, a hearth needs to be set slightly above floor level, although you may discover that your hearth is sunken into the floor, as they frequently were in the old days. You can find made to measure solutions to fit virtually any design and size of fireplace, or you can pick from a variety of popular size and shape hearths to fit in with your decor.
DESIGNS 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 usually pays to heed the recommendations of the fireplace company with regards to which fireplaces will be appropriate for your chimney and flue, because some of them won't be.
You home's age, and the theme that you're trying to develop for your room, should all help you decide on the type and design of fireplace which is most suitable. If you are lucky enough to have a home with an inglenook fireplace for instance, this can be the ideal setting for a cast iron wood burning stove. This won't only reflect any heat that is produced back into the room, but will also put the focus on the charm and elegance of the stove.
It's still viable to put in a wood burning stove, even if you haven't got a chimney breast in your Chudleigh home. This style of fireplace can be fitted with a flue which is channeled through an outside wall and doesn't require a chimney, to be safely installed.
GAS, OPEN, MULTI-FUEL, WOOD OR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?
You simply can't beat a crackling fire on a damp winter's evening, to create a unique charm and ambience in your Chudleigh home, but what other options exist?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Running on an assortment of fuels such as wood, oil, gas or coal, a multi-fuel stove can be made into an excellent focal point in your lounge or kitchen. These products can be used not simply for heating a room, but some types such as the AGA collection, can provide useful cooking areas, supply hot water and can be employed for heating the complete home if they are plumbed into a system of radiators.
Electric Fireplaces - These can be fitted safely and easily by any reasonable competent person and there are styles and designs which are appropriate for virtually any room and type of home in Chudleigh. It can be hard to distinguish them from the genuine article with with "real feel" electric fires, and they can be set into a traditional fireplace when required.
Wood Burning Stoves - Available in a broad variety of styles and sizes which can be freestanding where needed, these popular stoves can be used in rooms of any size. A version with an integrated back boiler can deliver supplementary heating by connecting the heated water to radiators in cold spots in your home.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fires are a lot better than wood burners or multi-fuel stoves when it comes to thermal efficiency, and you will find a variety of sizes and styles to complement any home in Chudleigh. You'll need a Gas Safe contractor to fit one these fireplaces in your house in Chudleigh.
Open Fireplaces - Can be used with many different solid fuels, and provides an excellent focal point for your living space. Being a far cry from the old style smoky fireplace, a modern, professionally installed open fire can provide a cosy and warm environment in any Chudleigh home.
Chimney Sweeping
If you have a wood burning stove or an open fire in your home, it is best to have the chimney swept frequently. Chimney cleaning and sweeping should generally be done at least once annually.
It is invariably best to bring in a professional Chudleigh chimney sweep if you want to get this done properly. While the chimney sweep is cleaning your chimney, he will also be on the lookout for any problems, so that they can then be quickly dealt with.
Regular sweeping helps prevent a build-up of ash, soot and creosote, a common cause of chimney fires. As well as stopping fires, you'll also want to avoid the possibility of poisoning by carbon monoxide fumes. When a chimney becomes blocked this toxic substance can flow back into your house with horrible consequences.
The importance of employing a reliable chimney sweep in Chudleigh, should now be obvious. To get a price for chimney cleaning in Chudleigh CLICK HERE.
Chudleigh Fireplace Related Tasks
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Fireplace Installers Near Chudleigh
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