Chimney Repairs Bristol

CHIMNEY REPAIRS BRISTOL

A chimney is an integral feature of most properties, particularly older ones. In years gone by, the chimney was one of the most important parts of a property because it facilitated the generation of heat for warmth and cooking. At Turner Baker, we have many years experience with chimney repairs Bristol and are available to repair and maintain chimneys on a wide variety of properties.

Nowadays, chimneys on properties in the UK are mostly used for ventilation for wood-burners or connected to a gas stove or an open fire as back up heat source in the winter months. Open fires and wood burners can also be a key selling point or focal point for a property.

Unfortunately in many properties they are left unused, or taken down when no longer required in the property.

As part of a property, it is important that the chimney is maintained and looked after correctly whether it is being used or not.

However, if a chimney is being used with a stove or open fire, it is required to be regularly maintained and regular chimney repairs Bristol to be undertaken. Regular sweeping is the most important part of a good chimney maintenance programme.

We recommendethat you have your chimney swept at the following intervals for the different fuel types:

  • Smokeless fuel: At least once a year
  • Bituminous coal or wood– Quarterly, when in use
  • Oil or Gas – Once a year

It is extremely important to remember that the inside of your chimney is liable to degrade with age, especially so if in frequent use, similarly to the external structure. If your chimney and flue are very old and have been used previously to burn coal, it may also have issues with salt deposits, that will continue to wear away the brickwork long after being deposited.

Having your chimney and flue professionally lined is the best solution to protecting the internal structure so that you can protect your home or business property.

A flue liner is a tube that fits down inside an existing chimney or existing flue in an older property.  Flue liners are available in a variety of different materials including stainless steel, pumice, silica polymer and thermosetting resin.

In recent years, Flue liners have been made obligatory for new build properties to make them in accordance with building regulations Document J.  This means that if you are building a new property with a chimney that you intend to use for heating or cooking purposes then it must be suitably lined by a professional body, such as Turner Baker.

Here is a brief round-up of the different flue liners available: 

Furanflex liners from Turner Baker

Being one of the newer products on the market, Furanflex thermosetting resin lining system is a chimney liner that is supplied as a soft malleable material which can be inserted intside of a chimney. It will then be steamed or ‘cured’ into a hardened structure that is highly resistant to heat and high temperatures.

The Furanflex liner was introduced to the UK in 2010 following a rigorous testing programme by the BBA (British Board of Agreement please see website here (www.bbacerts.co.uk) to ensure that it was suitable and safe to use on properties and buildings in the UK.

There are several benefits to using a Furanflex lining system:

  1. The product is installed as a flexible tube. For properties with chimneys that have bends in them – and this is certainly the case for a lot of older properties – this is a great benefit.
  2. The liner can be installed freestanding and it can mould to take the existing shape of the chimney which maximises the cross-sectional area of the flue. Various other lining systems are a set shape and may reduce the size of the flue which in turn affect performance.
  3. The Furanflex liner doesn’t adhere itself to the chimney and can therefore be removed if necessary. This makes it an ideal option for heritage properties with listing restrictions which won’t allow for permanent changes to the structure.
  4. It is guaranteed to protect your chimney for 25 years, which out lives previously used materials, such as stainless steel, which requires replacing after every chimney fire before using again.
  5. It is able to withstand very high temperatures from fires, and in theory should be able to withstand a chimney fire and uphold its integrity. However, if you do experience a chimney fire, no matter the size, you should have your chimney inspected to assess the damage before reusing your open fire or multi-fuel stove again.

Stainless steel flue liners from Turner Baker

The majority of entry points into chimney and flue linings are made of stainless steel.

Stainless steel is available in two forms:

  • A flexible and malleable format which allows for it to accommodate bends in the chimney or flue. This format is supplied as one long piece.
  • A standard rigid piece. The format is supplied in sections which are slotted together.

At Turner Baker Ltd, we supply flexible stainless steel flue liners for either multi fuel stoves or for gas and oil appliances.

Chimney Repairs Bristol

The Positives and Negatives of Stainless Steel Liners

Positives

  • Can be relatively inexpensive
  • Can be installed as a single freestanding unit on either the inside or outside of a property
  • Can be used for refurbishment of existing flues

Negatives

  • Short lifespan with only a guaranteed life of 10 years
  • Will not withstand any chimney fire
  • Certain fuels speed up corrosion rate
  • Can be easily damaged upon installation

 

Pumice Flue Liners from Turner Baker         

Isokern Flue Pumice is a naturally made chimney insulator. This  is the unique property of Isokern Flue Pumice that separates it from all other chimney materials.

Pumice allow the flue gases in the chimney to quickly reach their optimum temperature which enables the heating appliance, such as a wood burner, to reach its optimum performance shortly after inital lighting.

It will also keep the chimney warmer for longer as the heat output of the appliance decreases. This aids the performance of your heating appliance and reduces the likelihood of condensation and soot build-up.

DM (DOUBLE MODULE)

The Isokern Double Module block system is a top of the range chimney system, which is used extensively in Scandinavia and other parts of wider Europe.

The double wall system maintains flue gas temperatures whilst preventing heat transference to the outer casing. The risk of cracking is reduced to the  separation of the inner and outer components. This means your chimney and flue are less likely to leak or cause staining. It is simple and quick to install.

The Double Module is available in 3 outer casing sizes and is ideally suited to new builds and the construction of entirely new flues and chimney stacks.

FLUE LINERS

The Isokern flue liner range consists of over 17 different sizes, of which we can supply and install on your property. They can be used for new builds, extensions and the relining existing chimneys.

Call Turner Baker Ltd today on 01432 839123 if you are interested in any of these lining products or our chimney repairs Bristol services, and we will be happy to advise you on the system that is right for you.

 

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