Taped up flue

[Egghead]

Hi, I'm about to buy a house and have a question about the flue which is connected to a gas fire.

Please see the attached photo. The flue has been taped at the joints and i was wondering if this should be something to be concerned about.

The current owners have said that this flue is not connected to anything so is not an issue but there is a gas fire in the front room which must be connected to it (the house does not have a chimney)

Also, the house was built in 1980's is it likely that the gas/water pipes will be earth bonded?

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

 

[Riley]

It rather sets alarm bells ringing more the fact that the owner doesn't know what the Gas fire is attached to. I would insist that a gas safety inspection as a minimum is carried out I bet the gas fire has never been serviced either. Ensure that the gas engineer used has fires on his ticket

 

[quality]

I cant view the picture

 

[Riley]

 

[quality]

even when I click that one it says I don't have permission

 

[Riley]

 

[Egghead]

Thank you Riley. This was what I thought and I have no experience in this field. You have confirmed my suspicions and so I will get a gas safe registered (with fires) person to have a look at it before we buy.
Thanks for your response, it is appreciated

 

[Riley]

Want my honest opinion, do away with it if it's never been serviced and put a new one in or go electric. Gas fires are only good if they're used regularly and are looked after

 

[Egghead]

Ok will have a look into replacing it with an electric one. Thanks

 

[Riley]

FairPlay mate. If you have your heart set on real flame just ensure you maintain

 

[Chalked]

You will have a pre cast flue for the fire. This then terminated in the roof to twinwall flue pipe. I would recommend getting a gas safe engineer to smoke test the entire flue, as the pre cast flies built in the 80's are renowned for blockages caused by cement joints.

 

[Egghead]

Ok thanks Chalked, much appreciated. Will get it checked...better to be safe than sorry.

 

[snowhead]

I'll see your 1980's precast flue loft section
And raise you my own 1980's precast flue loft section, different coloured tape.

Never had a fire fitted tho'
My flue goes to a stainless terminal on the ridge.

They can go to a raised ridge tile; http://www.monier.co.uk/products/pr...nals-3.html?tx_monierproduct_single[tab]=tech

Gas / Water should have been bonded at that age.

 

[Egghead]

Thanks Snowhead...looks like taping flues is all the rage!! 🙂

 

[AWheating]

should be no tape. its an 80s pre cast, its probably passed its lifespan, too small a cathcment and most were fitted incorrectly. brick up and fit a leccy fire.

 

[ajr183]

Fitted quite a few of those back in the day. As other people have said it's fitted with a pre-cast flue for a fire though i've done quite a few with back boilers, that went to twin wall to a ridge terminal or normal terminal.

Generally it was Selkirk twin wall 'twist and lock' and a few installers i knew didn't trust it and would also tape the joint up as well, though the tape on that looks in pretty good nick.

As it's been said before get it checked out, if it's working properly then there's no reason you can't have a gas fire.

 

[Egghead]

Many thanks. We will have it tested.