I didn't realise just how significant having your chimney checked was, until recently!We live in a typical 1930's house which was 'modernised' in the 1950's with (horrible) fire surrounds which were in turn 'modernised' with gas fires some years later.When we bought the house, with young children, we took out the fire surrounds and gas fire's and plastered the hole where the fireback once was, leaving the chimney brest and added our piece of 'modernisation' with central heating. This has been fine until the last couple of years with the increasing frequency of power cuts when we realised we have no form of heating without dependancy on electricity.We have thought about reinstating the fire surround to burn solid fuel occasionally and had a very thorough survey and advice about putting in a wood burning stove which will back up the central heating. Amazing amount of regulations, building regs and possible DEFRA involvement!Thing is, if you walk around in the evenings (I recklessly on occasion still chance the pavements) it is pretty evident that these regulations are not observed.Additionally we have long term on going issues with builders disposing of 'everything which can be burnt' on bonfires in the garden of the latest development. The odd one going on from dawn to dusk several days on the trot. One group of builders working on an Ealing (supposedly)site are (supposedly) bringing bits and bobs back home of an evening to burn. A few years ago when discussing this with a Hounslow Council person about another week long bonfire, I was told that as long as the fire is contained they (the builders) can burn anything. The same advice was given to the the builder who adjusted to the 'new set of regulations' by taking the old water tank out of the loft and filling that, as their container!I checked the Chimney sweeps web site and notice that they check the 'draw on the chimney' and work to building regulations, and apparently if we do the same, that is the way to start.
Sarah Felstead ● 5293d