Trouble lighting fire with an exposed external chimney?

Exposed external chimneys

Exposed external chimneys, particularly solid steel flue systems, will now and again produce draught issues when lighting the stove. for instance, if the air temperature outside is colder then the air within the chimney stack it could be working at an equivalent temperature. this might make a cold ‘block’ that produces a chilly down-draught inside the room. However, there's is things you can try to change this: Within the area where the stove stands open an outside door or window against the wind to form a lower pressure. Then open the stove door for some minutes so the higher room pressure will ‘escape’ through the stove pipe and flue system … your chimney draught may now be operating in the right direction!

Heating the flue with a fan heater, blowtorch or newspaper can also help encourage an updraught before starting the fire.

Call Jim to book your Bournemouth, Poole & Dorset Chimney Sweep Today

Recommended article: Five reasons to book Jim as your Dorset chimney sweep?

______________________________

This article was written by Jim Chim-in-ey, 

An insurance approved chimney sweep 

JC sweeps all open fires, wood burners and stoves.

Covering Bournemouth, Poole, Blandford Forum and Dorset.

Want to have your chimney swept?

Contact JC Today!

Simple soot test to look at the fuel & quality of your fires.

Simple soot test to look at the fuel & wood quality of your burn

Investigating you quality of fuel and burning conditions is not just for chimney sweeps, its something you can do at home too.

The first signs to look out for are Carbon deposits in the fire chamber and Darkening of the glass in the door, if you notice these signs then its time to undertake a straightforward visual check.

What you will need:

• Camera - To log how your stove goes back together.
• Torch - To help you see up the chimney flue.
• Mirror - to help look up the flue
• Sheets - To cover carpet and hearth
• Gloves - As Soot is an irritant 

How to gain access to your flue:

Option 1 - No inspection hatch in the solid stove pipe.

1. Firstly, Photograph the inside of your stove and take note of how she goes back together. You may wish to refer to the manual.
2.  Remove your throat / baffel plate, this may require the removal of fire bricks first.
3. Use your torch & mirror to look in the fire box and up the flue.
4. Look at the soot that is sticking to the walls and inside of your flue.

Option 2 - Inspection hatch in the solid stove pipe.

1. Open up the inspection hatch on the pipework. this may be attached by a clip at the back or by screws or bolts.
2. Use your tourch to look in the flue
3. Look at the soot that is sticking to the walls and inside of your flue

What to look out for:

• If there is a build-up of flaky biscuity soot or shiny tar like particles, it is a likely sign that poor quality damp fuel has been burned or your fuel is not getting enough oxygen. These deposits may eventually ‘fur’ up the flue system, restricting the up-draught, or potentially cause a chimney fire.
• Its a good idea to call you chimney sweep to investigate further and try to catch the problem early, Your sweep will also be able to advise you on what changes can be made to stop this happening in the future.
• If you have a fine covering of dry ash powder which may simply be rubbed away with your finger, this is a sign that your your fuel quality and burning habits are workingwell.

Note from a chimney sweep:

If in any doubt when working with your wood burner, stove or appliance, always call in a professional chimney sweep or specialist. Chimneys require regular sweeping and maintenance to keep them safe throughout the burning season and an inspection without sweeping will not reduce the risk of fire.

Call Jim to book your Bournemouth, Poole & Dorset Chimney Sweep Today

Recommended article: Five reasons to book Jim as your Dorset chimney sweep?

______________________________

This article was written by Jim Chim-in-ey, 

An insurance approved chimney sweep 

JC sweeps all open fires, wood burners and stoves.

Covering Bournemouth, Poole, Blandford Forum and Dorset.

Want to have your chimney swept?

Contact JC Today!

How to check for up draught in your stove, woodburner or multi-fuel?

Safety Match Test - Home up-draught test for your chimney

If you would like to check the performance of the stove yourself, this is a simple wood burner, stove or multi-fuel up-draught performance test that you can do with just a match.

What you will need . . . 

• A safety match (Preferably Extra long) such as - Bryant & May Extra Long Matches

How to perform the updraught test?

1. When the stove is cold, open the stove door to make with a tiny gap.
2. Hold a burning match just outside of the gap (about fifty millimeter / 2"). 
3. Watch and record the flames movement.

How to read the flame.

1. If the flame is drawn into stoves fire chamber, the flue system has up-draught. 
2. If the flame isn't drawn in, or it is pushed outward into the room then the flue may not have a up-draught or you maybe a down-draught issue.
3.  If the match is drawn in to the woodburner or multi-fuel so powerfully that it goes out, then you most likely have a good up-draught.

A note from a Dorset Chimney Sweep:
"Although this test does not replace a No.2 Smoke Test (up-draught test), it can be a useful tool to check the up-draught in between your regular chimney sweeps."

For information about how often you should get a chimney swept visit - http://www.jimchimney.co/p/chimney-sweeping-service-why-do-you.html

Call Jim to book your Bournemouth, Poole & Dorset Chimney Sweep Today

Recommended article: Five reasons to book Jim as your Dorset chimney sweep?

______________________________

This article was written by Jim Chim-in-ey, 

An insurance approved chimney sweep 

JC sweeps all open fires, wood burners and stoves.

Covering Bournemouth, Poole, Blandford Forum and Dorset.

Want to have your chimney swept?

Contact JC Today!