Opening up a fireplace

[A380]

I will obtain a big carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. These are really effective at putting out chimney fires (and hearth fires, kitchen fires) you apparently squirt it up and poof it’s out. Save water too in these difficult times.

It’s not getting swept. It’s fine.

 

[bellaozzydog]

In the space of three pages of posts and three pints of slightly sulphurous cider I am now contemplating the joy of an open hearth this cold season

 

[bimble]

Love that you have done this. My utmost respect fellow DIY impulsive person. It’ll be great.

 

[Duncan2]

Love that you have done this. My utmost respect fellow DIY impulsive person. It’ll be great.

Yeah really grate

 

[bimble]

I did this too many years ago but I was top floor of semi derelict dodgy house nobody above. Was absolute life saver. Collected loads of those cylindrical wooden bases people have on their Xmas trees from the Xmas tree recycling places, and they burn lovely with that hole in middle.

 

[MickiQ]

It’s not getting swept. It’s fine.

Famous last words

 

[Chilli.s]

Does it involve vacuum cleaners

Yes, an essential tool for this, along with the dust sheet, chimney brush and roll of gaffa tape

 

[TopCat]

I'm looking at easy find wood. Those big advert hoardings look ripe.

 

[Duncan2]

I'm looking at easy find wood. Those big advert hoardings look ripe.

six inch nails could damage your chainsaw blade.

 

[Indeliblelink]

Had a pigeon stuck in my chimney last week so had to get some gas engineers to remove the gas fire to let it out. Was gonna get the chimney swept while it was open before having the gas fire put back but now I'm thinking maybe leave it open and use as an open fire place, get some wood, dry it in the conservatory when sunny. Would need to have the gas pipe that feeds the fire removed though. Not sure my neighbours would like the smoke although the people on one side of me already burn wood in their fireplace but i quite like the smell.

 

[xenon]

Ha, my screenreader pronounced his name as war n' ash. Which could be the result of a badly done job...

 

[Duncan2]

Had a pigeon stuck in my chimney last week so had to get some gas engineers to remove the gas fire to let it out. Was gonna get the chimney swept while it was open before having the gas fire put back but now I'm thinking maybe leave it open and use as an open fire place, get some wood, dry it in the conservatory when sunny. Would need to have the gas pipe that feeds the fire removed though. Not sure my neighbours would like the smoke although the people on one side of me already burn wood in their fireplace but i quite like the smell.

It's gonna be like Dr Zhivago come December with dozens of us trudging about in the snow tearing chunks out of each other's fences to take home and chuck on the fire to keep the weans warm.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

It's gonna be like Dr Zhivago come December with dozens of us trudging about in the snow tearing chunks out of each other's fences to take home and chuck on the fire to keep the weans warm.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with an unusually cold winter.

 

[jontz01]

Just as a heads up, stacked in full, direct NZ sun it takes me around 7 months to properly season pine, over a year for hardwoods. I usually burn 2 year old wood... Pallets give off lots of fast heat and are usually dry, just don't burn the treated or painted ones!

 

[Duncan2]

Just as a heads up, stacked in full, direct NZ sun it takes me around 7 months to properly season pine, over a year for hardwoods. I usually burn 2 year old wood... Pallets give off lots of fast heat and are usually dry, just don't burn the treated or painted ones!

Totally even when I have access to cordwood through a brother's forestry activities it's seldom bone dry at the core.Last winter I was reduced to buying kindling from Aldi .With a very small amount of wood that has been in a kiln you can burn bigger quantities of otherwise unpromising lumber.

 

[Ax^]

I can't believe you've done that in a rented property, without permission.

i cannot believe he did it before clearing the front room

fair play ya mad bastard TC

 

[Puddy_Tat]

The wheelbarrow and rubble are in the hall. Too heavy to move further and I don’t want it in the garden in case it invites questions.

dig a hole and put the rubble in the hole

 

[Ax^]

The wheelbarrow and rubble are in the hall. Too heavy to move further and I don’t want it in the garden in case it invites questions.

"Like I said , a man will do most anything to keep his mind occupied. Turns out TopCat's favorite hobby was totin' his wall out into the exercise yard, a handful at a time."

 

[Cid]

£53 including delivery, I suspect it will pay for itself several times over this winter.

Not me, but this is how it appears on the evil Amazon site...

View attachment 340477

'I was in Hamlet you know. I mean sure, only as Marcellus, but that's not a bad part.'

 

[Ax^]

you get caught but if you could get peat briquets

they last long and smell lovely when you burn them

 

[Pickman's model]

'I was in Hamlet you know. I mean sure, only as Marcellus, but that's not a bad part.'

The only Shakespearean character to appear in pulp fiction

 

[bellaozzydog]

When I lived in a 47 acre posh commune the wood piles were stacked and protected by wriggly tin and on a 5 year rotation

So fresh cut would sit 5 years under wriggly tin before useful

 

[Sweet FA]

does have the potential to get very messy very quickly

Waaaaay ahead of you there.

I did this too many years ago

Of course you did.

 

[cesare]

Make sure your neighbours don't cleck on you ...

Smoke control areas: the rules

In smoke control areas you can only use certain types of fuel or exempt appliances - find out if you live in one and what you can burn

www.gov.uk

 

[WouldBe]

dig a hole and put the rubble in the hole

An other alternative is to pile it up in the loft.

 

[two sheds]

I don't suppose there are any insurance implications? Normally needs chimney sweep certificate if you have insurance.

 

[Duncan2]

I don't suppose there are any insurance implications? Normally needs chimney sweep certificate if you have insurance.

Quite picky these home insurance companies- this is something I have also noticed .

 

[moose]

We have an open fire, but it draws so efficiently, it whisks a load of cold air past the sofa and up the chimney. I think it's colder with it on.

 

[two sheds]

yes open fires can be only 10 to30% efficient. You'd be much better with a burner which can be 60%+, I've got one that makes the room toasty really quickly. Then you'd need the chimney to be lined though.

Sorry for the "if you're trying to get to there I wouldn't start from here" type posts

 

[Artaxerxes]

I don't suppose there are any insurance implications? Normally needs chimney sweep certificate if you have insurance.

Quite picky these home insurance companies- this is something I have also noticed .

I don't think TC has any fucks to give about insurance. Call it a hunch.