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| FAQ's |
To all readers please note; Appliances that use gas, oil wood or smokeless fuels all produce Carbon Monoxide. It is potentially fatal and even low levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to your health.
Please click on the appropriate question to be taken to the answer.
Q: I have a faulty chimney and it’s failed a smoke test, what do I do?
Q: Does the chimney lining need to be installed by a qualified installer?
Q: I have sandy particles and debris falling down my chimney, what is it and what needs to be done?
Q. I’m getting smoke leaking into another room or neighbouring property, what could be causing this?
Q. I think my neighbour has damaged my chimney, what can I do about it?
Q; My chimney leaks smoke in to my attic, can I repair this one area?
Q. Has a new loft conversion caused my chimney problems?
Q. I would like to reinstate my fire, what do I need to do?
Q. I don’t have a chimney or a complete chimney but would love one, what are my options?
Q. I have smoke coming back into the room, the flue is not drawing properly, why and how can this be rectified?
Q:Do I need to maintain my chimney?
Q: Do you work on building sites?
Q: I have been told that I have a build up of tar within my chimney, is this anything to worry about?
Q. Would a chimney fire damage my flue?
Q: I have a thatched property, should I be concerned about fire damage to my roof from my chimney?
Q: How can I make payment to you for my works?
Should you have any other questions not listed here please call our freephone helpline on 0800 015 4636.
Q: I have a faulty chimney and it’s failed a smoke test, what do I do?
A: Contact Chimney Care’s free advice line 0800 015 4636, our experienced and knowledgeable team can discuss the problem and offer a solution. If appropriate, a surveyor will visit the property to provide a report and estimate on the suitable method of repair. The surveyor may suggest a further internal survey of the inner flue to ascertain the extent of the fault.
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Q: Does the chimney lining need to be installed by a qualified installer?
A: Yes, the lining needs to be installed, if for gas by a CORGI approved installer, or if for solid fuel by a HETAS qualified installer. If the installers are not accredited Building Control, approval must be sought from and signed off by your local inspector. Approved installers such as Chimney Care Ltd are able to register their own work to comply with Building J Regulations.
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Q: I have sandy particles and debris falling down my chimney, what is it and what needs to be Done?
We have two examples of this.
A) Most commonly on properties built in the 1900's this indicates that the original lining (Pargetting) has deteriorated. This exposes the mortar joints and brick work to corrosion from the effects of the combustion gasses through soot acid attack and weathering.
If the deterioration continues the mortar joints and brick-work (masonry) will corrode further. This could make the brickwork so weak that the flue way, the dividing walls within the chimney structure, could collapse. This problem is typical for properties built in the 1900's.
Our specialised Thermocrete B2C lining system can rectify this problem by reinforcing (repairing and strengthening the structure from the inside) the chimney and preventing further internal deterioration. This system is guaranteed for 25 years and has an expected lifespan of 65 years.
B) A more common problem for properties built around the 1930's is when sandy particles and debris fall down the flue way due to the original lining starts to deteriorate, this is the first stages of the deterioration.
Our Thermocrete chimney sealant would be applied to the inner flue, replacing the original mortar lining with a ceramic sealant spray lining suitable for all fuels and leaving a smooth inner surface while not reducing the inner flue size. This system is guaranteed for 10 years.
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Q. I'm getting smoke leaking into another room or neighbouring property, what could be causing this?
A. This is a common problem where the chimney is deteriorating mainly through corrosion and age of property. In this situation do not use the appliance until you have spoken to our technical engineers. In most cases a surveyor would visit the site to assess the problem, provide a report and estimate on the most suitable lining method. Reline the chimney and enable safe use of your appliances.
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Q. I think my neighbour has damaged my chimney, what can I do about it?
A. The Party Wall Act 1996 came into force in 1997. Under this act all adjoining property owners must notify neighbours of any works on the 'Party Wall'.
The first step is to identify whether any works have damaged your chimney. The CCTV camera survey can provide a coloured DVD of the inside of the flue way and report any defects found and the most likely cause of these defects. A smoke integrity test is carried out to identify the integrity of the flue. A report and estimate for necessary remedial works is produced detailing the best method to reinstate the flue. This information can be discussed to your neighbour or in some cases a Party Wall (surveyor) Award is issued.
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Q. My chimney leaks smoke into my attic; can I repair this one area?
A.It would not be safe to repair this one area of leakage. Chimneys corrode throughout, on all sides of the flue way, by repairing this one area smoke will just find its way through another breach within the flue.
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Q. Has a new loft conversion caused my chimney problems?
A. Major building works on older properties can cause already deteriorated mortar joints and brick work to loosen further, allowing the chimney to leak fumes after building works have been completed. This is mainly down to the age of the property; however, when working on Party Walls it is advisable to ascertain the condition of the chimneys prior to the start of any works.
If an object such as an RSJ (steel beam) has been placed into a flue on a party wall, or other forms of breaches, either from your builders or in some cases neighbouring properties, the flue is deemed unsafe and unusable until the flue is reinstated.
In both cases above we would recommend you contact our advice line 0800 015 4636, we can offer advice on the most appropriate methods of repair. To reinstate a flue from a breach we would recommend a CCTV camera survey for an internal inspection to access the best solution.
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Q. I would like to reinstate my fire, what do I need to do?
A. The flue way would need to be swept and smoke integrity tested to confirm the suitability of the appliance chosen. A chimney test certificate would then be issued on sound flue ways. On unsound flues a report and estimate on remedial works will be issued.
Chimney Care Ltd provides a full service of cleaning and testing the flue(s) through smoke integrity test, CCTV camera surveys, test pull length, providing reports, DVD's and estimates.
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Q. I don't have a chimney or a complete chimney but would love one, what are my options?
A. With our Twin Wall insulated flues and chimney fan systems this is not a problem. Our technical engineers can produce a bespoke system in almost any situation where there is no existing chimney or part existing flue ways to suit your requirements.
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Q. I have smoke coming back into the room, the flue is not drawing properly, why and how can this be rectified?
A. There are a number of factors as to why flue ways don't draw; this happens most commonly due to a blocked flue, the chimney suffering from a down draught problem, chimney stack being reduced or the fire opening size is too large in relationship to the flue height and diameter of the flue.
In most cases our technical engineers can diagnose the problem over the telephone and provide an idea for the solution. However a site inspection may need to be carried out to assess the problem further, followed by a report and estimate for any remedial works.
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Q. Do I need to maintain my chimney?
A. Yes, all chimneys should have a safety check annually by a registered competent person i.e. a NACS (National Association Of Chimney Sweeps) member, HETAS registered engineer or CORGI Installer, even after they have been relined. Chimney Care Ltd can provide this maintenance service should it be required.
Landlord Responsibilities
It is the landlord's responsibility to provide you with proof that a Gas Safe registered installer has checked the gas appliances and issued Gas Safety Certificates within the last 12 months. A responsible landlord will also provide the same for solid fuel and oil appliances and flues.
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Q: Do you work on building sites?
A. Yes. Chimney Care Ltd prides themselves on a high standard of Health and Safety. Engineers are Construction Skills Certification Scheme registered and City and Guilds NVQ Qualified Chimney Engineers. Chimney Care Ltd is a Lang O'Rourke and Costain approved sub-contractor, with a comprehensive Health and Safety policy. We produce Method Statements and Risk Assessments for each activity and are fully insured.
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Q: I have been told that I have a build up of tar within my chimney, is this anything to worry about?
A. Unfortunately this is a potential danger and usually caused by burning unseasoned/wet wood. In a worst-case scenario, this could cause a chimney fire.
Chimney Care's Creosote De-tarring solution can be applied to the inside of the flue (chimney) to aid the removal of the build up, preventing chimney fires. In addition we recommend that unseasoned wood should not be used for burning.
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Q. Would a chimney fire damage my flue?
A. Yes. The heat from the chimney fire is likely to crack the original lining and masonry causing the chimney to leak smoke. You also need to know what caused the fire, was it from a partial blockage or soot / tar build up?
A. A full CCTV camera inspection and smoke test should be carried out. A report and recommendations on remedial works will be provided. For your information, chimney fire damaged and repair can in some cases be covered by homeowner insurance policies.
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Q. I have a thatched property, should I be concerned about fire damage to my roof from my chimney?
A. Recent research and investigations have revealed that a far more common cause of thatched roof fires is by heat being transmitted from within the chimney. The heat is transmitted through the brick work of the chimney itself, to the underside of the thatch, combustion takes place and the thatch roof catches fire.
Ensure you use your appliance safely and with the correct fuel. The chimney should be lined with an insulated flue and an early warning 'Chimney Temperature Monitor' system should be installed. With all this in place you can minimise the risk of chimney fires in thatched properties.
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Q: How can I make payment to you for my works?
A: In most cases a 50% deposit of the total works is required to proceed. We can accept payment by cheque over the telephone with Visa cards and Master cards; unfortunately we do not accept payment with Switch or American Express. For BACS details please contact 0800 015 4636.
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