JellyBean2605 Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 My long suffering Father in Law has finally found a spare minute, we grabbed hold of the poor bloke and got him to fit our woodburner. Sadly I neglected to take a "before" picture but there was a broken gas fire in place with a pine surround with marble insert and hearth. This was the result of day one.... We ripped out the fire and all the bricks and blocks behind, left with a nice neat hole. The next day.... We cut the marble insert up and fitted it behind the hearth, then we went shopping for plaster board etc... Day 3... Plaster board and insulation is fitted Day 4.... We stripped the surrounding wallpaper while my Father in Law plastered the hole, he's also fitted an air brick behind for extra air flow. The surround isn't fixed, we're going to paint the bare plaster and the wall over the weekend. The flue has also gone in and is tucked up out of sight. But this gives an idea of what it will look like when finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Ooh, lovely! Just in time for winter - you'll love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Just what you will need in this weather - I've had one for about 16 years, and never regretted it - I get free wood, so it saves on heating bills. Do make sure that you have adequate ventilation in that room (floor vents are good) and a carbon monoxide detector (they are compulsory). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 How are you going to sweep the flue JellyBean? It needs to be done every year at least, depending on the quality of the wood seasoning and the amount of use. House insurance is invalid in the vent of a fire if the chimney isn't swept. As Dogmother says, fit a Carbon Monoxide detector. We have one since we were poisoned two years ago. It is essential to open a window or have a vent fitted. This is particularly important when you open the door to put more wood in, otherwise the fumes take the easy path into the room. Detectors work above 50ppm, but the effects can be felt at 30ppm, so if the room feels stuffy or you feel unusually tired open a window. We are running a Jotul 3 wood burner with no ash tray. They burn very hot and with high efficiency IF the wood is properly seasoned and fully dried hardwood, otherwise the flue soots up. That means certainly over two years except oak that needs five. We sweep twice a year as a precaution and have a set of rods. Problem is very high efficiency units release a lot of Carbon Monoxide, so we have to be vigilant. If it is a dual fuel unit be aware that you can burn either wood or coal BUT not at the same time, because that creates Sulphuric acid which eats through the chimney or flue. Homefire smokeless ovals are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Why do high efficiency models produce more carbon monoxide? (I agree with detectors and open windows, etc. but just curious. I now have a small woodburner in my kitchen as well as one in my livingroom !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Because the burning with such low controlled available air supply deprives combustion of the excess oxygen needed to make Carbon Dioxide. So only Carbon Monoxide is produced, or so I've read anyway. Chemistry wasn't a strong point of mine Saronne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Carbon monoxide is indeed only produced when there isn't enough oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless and very deadly as it binds to your hemoglobin with a much stronger bond than oxygen. You suffocate because your hemoglobin can't bind oxygen anymore. (Chemistry is my strongpoint... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 ................(Chemistry is my strongpoint... ) My daughter is doing it for A level... I'll have to direct her to you if she gets stuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 My daughter is doing it for A level... I'll have to direct her to you if she gets stuck! I'm a Chemistry (and Physics, but only lower years) teacher here in Holland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Oooo, I'm impressed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Haha sounds more impressing than it is, I think.... I'm considering changing my hens names to Copper, Tungsten and Bismuth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyBean2605 Posted December 28, 2014 Author Share Posted December 28, 2014 here it is finished complete with painted wall behind.... Beantree rest assured we do have a carbon monoxide detector present (its just on the right hand side of the hearth) and my father in law fitted us an air brick to provide extra ventilation (not a requirement for this size of burner but he wanted to be sure) as for the sweeping i must admit i've no idea how that will take place, suppose i'll send the OH up there with a toothbrush next time he annoys me..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Well done! Very clean looking you should see my hearth... NOT! The stove has been churning away all weekend, and the house is really toasty... the kettle is on it and just coming to the boil, and I have jacket spuds inside the stove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Looks amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 That looks lovely Jellybean. We have looked at a house today with 3 fireplaces I am sure one needs a wood burner if things work out and we move. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Oooo, where are you moving to Chrissie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
