DIY open fire! help

[b.lynch plum]

Alright all, me father in law has just took out his electric fire and unblock his chimney himself, he's not checked for soundness or put a liner in or even swept! Just thrown some logs in and set alight! Now he's stocked up on logs and is planning to leave it as it is! He won't listen to me so can you all list the dangers hear and I'll show him wot you all think of this stupidity
O and he's left the disconected cable there going through the wall lol
cheers all

 

[Keefy]

I don't believe anyone could be that stupid so would like to see a few pictures please.

 

[b.lynch plum]

I'm not welcome round at the min cuz iv tried to tell him but I will try and get some pics
Hands down me misses is fallen out with me as I don't want my kid staying there they all think I'm trying to have a dig at him cuz we don't get on!

 

[Keefy]

Is there something in the water today?

 

[b.lynch plum]

I want folks on hear to list the problems with this and the dangers so that I can show them its not just me that thinks its wrong lol, the lack of sweping sound testing or anythink! All that he's looked at is if he can see some smoke coming through pot outside . I haven't seen any! All I'm asking them to do is to listen to the dangers and understand and get it checked out lol. So I aim is to use your guys thought to proof it! Farmers for you!!!

 

[Rickster123]

Ok I'll start.

1). His neighbours will never speak to him again...

 

[lame plumber]

from his point of view it used to be an open fire and should be ok. if its drawing ok, and theres no fumes elsewhere in the property then chances are all ok. why would it need a liner if it was ok before it was closed down? Having said that it would be good to get a sweep to check it over once winters over ready for next year. some may not agree but the best thing you can do is buy him a co sensor fire the room the fires in to meet current regs re solid fuel fires

 

[joni os]

Your father-in-law will be from a generation that could sweep a chimney without a HEATAS certificate, fought Hitler to be free from dictators and views all new regulations European or domestic as a betrayal of the principals for which he went to war.(He will think this way even if he was born 20 years after the war was over.)" two world wars and one world cup" etc. No good talking if he's not listening. Instead of confrontation, compliment him on his work, note that if the room is not full of smoke the chimney would appear to have an adequate draw and persuade him to allow a smoke test, not forgetting to check stack in loft as well as rooms. With a wood fire if the smoke goes into the neighbours property they will likely smell it and complain.(Such action could be encouraged.) I can remember people who would clean their chimney by lighting newspaper and sending it up the chimney on the principal that a little chimney fire now and again would do no harm. We survived, but houses had more drafts in those days.

 

[lame plumber]

just saw the op thread again, just be nice to him and isolate the electric fire cable🙂

 

[tamz]

I can remember people who would clean their chimney by lighting newspaper and sending it up the chimney on the principal that a little chimney fire now and again would do no harm.

I was one of them:lol:
A chimney fire could be put out with the steam from a few cups of water too :smile:

 

[b.lynch plum]

I know if he new it was ok befor but he's never used it befor so he doesn't know the state of it or hasn't checked the loft which I told him to

 

[tamz]

Well if he can still see the telly and isn't coughing his guts out in a room full of smoke it can't be too wrong. "Ask" him to get a sweep in to check it.

 

[WHPES]

Can't believe anyone could be so reckless!

 

[lame plumber]

Can't believe anyone could be so reckless!

tend to agree with tamz on this, its a fire and chimmney for solid fuel originally, so removing a leccy fire and restoring to original use isnt going to be that reckless.

 

[WHPES]

Disagree - I've reinstated a couple of flues and most of them were choked with debris, one had a crack which would have allowed fumes into the house.