Fireplace Fitter Kirkham Lancashire (PR4): Opening up an old disused fireplace to install a wood burner, a gas fire or an open fire is a great way to add a homely feel and some charm to any Kirkham property. Nippy winters' evenings can become a joy as you sit beside your fireplace listening to the crackling of a burning fire, and if your fire is used in combination with a back boiler you can even enjoy cheap hot water as well.
There are some important considerations you must bear in mind to achieve a safe and efficient fireplace, before you commence smashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace. For starters, Part J of the UK Building Regulations will have to be followed in relation to the construction and installation of any flue linings, chimney breasts, hearths and fireplaces that are an integral part of a heat producing appliance in your premises in Kirkham.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you're an enthusiastic and competent DIY'er it might be possible to restore an existing bricked-up fireplace, however the likelihood of encountering structural issues in many cases is high. It may be the case that when you pull back the boarding surrounding an old fireplace to uncover a hidden gem that needs little more than a quick clean and a call to a chimney sweep to get a roaring fire going. It's far more likely however, that you'll reveal a flue that is blocked and an expanse of crumbling brickwork that needs to be to be reinforced structurally to ensure that it's safe.
If fireplaces are installed incorrectly there is not only a risk of fire to your property, but there can be associated health hazards, which is why it is better to hire a competent Kirkham installation team for fireplaces. So a fire can burn correctly in a room with a fireplace, there must be enough airflow to create sufficient amounts of oxygen. If there's not enough airflow then it is possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause carbon monoxide to build up, which can be deadly.
To overcome this problem a fireplace specialist in Kirkham will assess the circumstances and fit vents around the room, or beneath the floors, to ensure a sufficient air flow for the fire to burn properly and safely. Blocked off and unused chimney flues might also have to have air vents fitted as they can sometimes trap moist air inside them causing damp to build up inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
Having a fireplace opened up can cause large amounts of soot and muck to enter your home. It's a good idea to remove your your furniture and carpets before any fireplace renovation work begins, because even with coverings for your furniture, the chance of damage from soot and muck is still possible. If you're fortunate enough to be carrying out a complete restoration project then it ought to be one of the very first tasks to complete before you re-plaster or decorate the walls. The reason for this is to avoid the chance of any discolouration damage to any work that has recently been finished.
STRUCTURAL & CONSTRUCTION WORK
You'll have a far better idea about the refurbishment work that's necessary, as soon as the opening up of the old fireplace is finished. You will also be able to get the chimney swept and clean any of the hearth that remains. One of the first items on your to-do-list should be to get hold of a professional chimney sweep who operates in and around Kirkham. Aside from cleaning and sweeping the flue and chimney, they will also assess the condition of your flue liner and chimney and inform you whether any portion of the chimney structure and flue needs replacing.
All the appropriate Building Regulations must be followed, if you need to strengthen the chimney structure or install a flue lining. A qualified craftsman who is familiar with the Building Regs and decent working practices will be needed to carry out this work.
If the dimensions of the existing fireplace are greater than your needs, a steel or concrete lintel should be installed. The upgrade, repair and installation of the hearth can commence once the supporting lintel is in position. The present Building Regulations for the UK say that the fireplace hearth must be set slightly above the normal floor level, although in the old days it would have been sunk into the floor. You'll find that there's a wide array of off-the-shelf hearths in granite, marble or slate, but if your fireplace is of non-standard size you might have to opt for a made to measure hearth, which you could ask your Kirkham fireplace builder about.
FIREPLACE DESIGNS AND STYLES
Visiting a nearby fireplace outlet or browsing on the internet will swiftly make you realise that there is a wonderful selection of different styles of fireplace for your home. It's entirely possible that due to your existing flue and chimney, that some fireplace designs may not be suitable, and it pays to follow the the recommendations and advice of the fireplace installation company with respect to this.
A multi-fuel stove or a wood burner may be appropriate for some rooms and properties in Kirkham, while an open fireplace will be more appropriate for others. For example, the most perfect backdrop to a cast iron wood burning stove is an inglenook fireplace, which not only puts a focus on its charm and beauty but is also effective in reflecting any heat that's produced back into the room.
It is still viable to put in a wood burning stove, even if there is no chimney in your Kirkham property. Your fireplace fitter can take a stainless steel flue directly from the top or rear of the stove and out through an external wall, therefore an existing chimney isn't needed.
ELECTRIC, GAS, WOOD, OPEN OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?
A roaring fire on a dark evening delivers an ambience and charm that cannot be beaten, however what are the other options available to install in your brand new fireplace in Kirkham?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you will doubtless gather from the name, these sorts of stoves can be fed an assortment of fuels, including gas, coal, oil or wood, and not just that, they can also introduce a unique focal point for your home in Kirkham. One of the best known brands of multi-fuel stoves is AGA, and these products can not only provide you with affordable heating for the whole property, but also cooking facilities and hot water.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces are available in a variety of styles to suit your home and are typically more thermally efficient than open fireplaces. Gas fireplaces can only be maintained and fitted by a qualified Gas Safe registered technician, (Gas Safe replaced CORGI registration in 2009).
Open Fireplaces - Having the capacity to burn almost any solid fuel available on the market, the open fireplace can create a flickering fire as an interesting focal point for any room or living space. An expertly installed modern open fire will be nothing like the smoky old fireplace that was perhaps bricked up by previous owners, and its warm charm is a welcome addition to any house in Kirkham.
Electric Fireplaces - Virtually any competent person can easily and safely install one of these fires, and the huge variety of styles make these an extremely popular choice for property owners in Kirkham. Even if your home has a regular fireplace, an electric fire that looks almost like a "real" fire can be installed.
Wood Burning Stoves - A wide array of styles to match any type of home in Kirkham, and, if required, can even be a freestanding feature. An integrated back boiler is an additional benefit and could provide piping hot water for use around the home, or for heating for the house via radiators.
It's not only in Kirkham that you can find fireplace installers - surrounding areas like: Clifton, Catforth, Saltcotes, Hall Cross, Weeton, Wrea Green, Warton, Ribby, Greenhaigh, Ashton-on-Ribble, Bryning, Wesham, Treales, Moss Side, Newton With Scales can generally also be covered. Fireplace companies from Kirkham should have the postcode PR4 and the telephone code 01772.
Flue Liners
A chimney or flue liner is a crucial part of the chimney system on your house, enabling it to function more effectively than it otherwise would, and improving it's overall safety. Running the whole length of the inside of a chimney, flue liners are ducts manufactured from a number of materials including clay, ceramics or metal. They channel smoke and fumes to the outside of a building. An older chimney in Kirkham might not have a lining at all, or will need relining determined by it's condition and age.
Burning fires can create toxic gases which can cause substantial harm to the flue inside your chimney. A good time to check for potential issues and damage is while your chimney is being swept and cleaned - so ask your chimney sweep to do this. A flue which has been damaged could allow those harmful gases to leak into your dwelling, rather than chanelling them outside. Damaged flue linings can also cause house fires - so get them looked at!
Chimney Sweeping Kirkham
It's easy to put off a routine household task like sweeping the chimney, but if you have an open fire or a wood burner, it's essential that this is done frequently. Chimneys need to be cleaned and swept at least once per year, if not more.
The best course of action to get this done is to contact a specialist Kirkham chimney sweep, who will carry out the work properly and without mess. While your chimney is being cleaned, the sweep will also keep an eye out for any problems or safety issues that there may be with your chimney.
Chimney fires can easily be the result of an accumulation of soot, ash and wood tar if you fail to sweep your chimney. As well as stopping fires, you will also want to avoid the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide gas. When a chimney becomes blocked this toxic substance can be drawn back into your home with horrific consequences.
In the unlikely event that any damages or accidents occur while you are having your chimney swept, ensure your chosen Kirkham chimney sweep has public liability cover. For Kirkham chimney sweeps quotes GO HERE.
Chimney Repair Kirkham
A critical element in preserving the safety and efficiency of fireplaces and heating systems is chimney repair. As time goes by, chimneys can experience wear and tear, leading to problems like leaks, blockages or cracks. Preventing potential hazards, including fire and carbon monoxide exposure, necessitates prompt repairs. In Kirkham, chimney repair experts can rectify these issues, ensuring the chimney functions optimally and meets the appropriate safety regulations. Prolonging the chimney's longevity and minimizing the need for expensive future repairs, regular repairs and inspections provide homeowners with reassurance and a dependable heating source. (51227 - Chimney Repairs Kirkham)
Leaving a Review
In the past, folks used to turn to the Yellow Pages or local free paper to find businesses and services in the area, these days they are more likely to read reviews online, which are becoming increasingly more favoured. If you are pleased with the performance of someone you've used, why not take some time to thank them by leaving an appreciative review. In this way you can help both the business itself and its possible future customers, by relating your first hand knowledge. If you read reviews to find someone to do your work, you'll realise how useful that process can be. Even if a company website seemed to be really professional, if it wasn't supported by decent reviews and feedback, you may well have looked elsewhere.
But, how much faith can be put on so called customer reviews which are displayed on the website of a business? They might have been "thought up" by a company employee, seeking to make their services look better, or were they written by real customers?
If you want to find sincere and authentic reviews, a great strategy is to look at the the reviews on Google My Business listings on any fireplace company in Kirkham. This is the review website which is trusted by millions to determine company reputations, and can affect their placement in the search engines as well. The 2nd largest review website for local companies in Kirkham is Bing Places for Business, and this is the serious competitor of Google My Business. Helping to build an overview of the trustworthiness and standards of a company that worked on your fireplace project, leaving a review here can also help to increase their profile in the Kirkham area.
Feedback and reviews can also be left on Facebook and Twitter pages, which are great and immediately visible ways to promote a local company. These social media giants can be really influential and will form a leading part of the media marketing campaigns of most small businesses in Kirkham. Their message will be reinforced by your feedback and give a starting point to relatives and friends who are trying to find similar services.
Even in these high-tech, modern times, it is still acceptable to send in a hand-written thank you letter, if you are not computer savvy. Believe it or not these are still handy in an online world and can be scanned in for use on websites, or perhaps even framed or gathered together to build a portfolio of reviews for one on one meetings with prospective clients. Regardless of how your review is created, you will feel good that you might have helped out a local small business who gave you good service.
Kirkham Fireplace Related Tasks
The variety of tasks and services that can be accomplished by your local fireplace installer are varied and wide, and will include stuff like fireplace removal in Kirkham, chimney cowl installations, chimney modifications, inset stove installation, the installation of tiled fireplaces, brick fireplace installation, electric fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces Kirkham, fireplaceestimates Kirkham, the installation of modern fireplaces in Kirkham, gas fireplaces, fireplace mantels, three-sided fireplaces in Kirkham, modern gas fires, modern fireplace installation, wood & multifuel stoves, freestanding stoves Kirkham, open fireplaces Kirkham, wood burning fireplaces Kirkham, cast fireplace installations, fireplace repairs, reclaimed fireplaces Kirkham, fireplace fitting, gas fireplace installation Kirkham, designer fireplaces Kirkham, fake fireplaces, inglenook fireplace installation, stone fireplace installation, hearth fireplaces, flue lining in Kirkham, fireplace surrounds Kirkham, stone fireplaces, marble fireplace installations, marble fireplaces, Victorian fireplace installations, and others not listed. If you have fireplace requirements in Kirkham, that you don't see here, you could go HERE and fill out our simple quote form.
Fireplace Installers Near Kirkham
Also find: Wrea Green fireplace installers, Bryning fireplace installers, Saltcotes fireplace installers, Warton fireplace installers, Greenhaigh fireplace installers, Ribby fireplace installers, Weeton fireplace installers, Treales fireplace installers, Moss Side fireplace installers, Clifton fireplace installers, Ashton-on-Ribble fireplace installers, Newton With Scales fireplace installers, Hall Cross fireplace installers, Catforth fireplace installers, Wesham fireplace installers and more. It is possible to get fireplaces installed in all these areas. These skilled tradesmen have the know-how and experience necessary to successfully install fireplaces in your home. Dedicated experts facilitate residents in enjoying the ambiance, warmth and comfort that come with having a fireplace in their living areas. By clicking here, local home and property owners can obtain fireplace installation quotes.
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Fireplace installation in PR4 area, and dialling code 01772.
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