chimney relining

Lucyspell

Hello
We are living in a house built in the 70's, and have chimney problems recently. It may be due to draughtproofing the house, and not sufficient draw in the chimney. We cannot close the door in the room where the fireplace is, without getting a 'smoke fume' smell. We are also getting a 'fumy' smell upstairs, which I think means we need our chimney relined.
We have engaged a chimney 'specialist' to reline our chimney. He is talking about a messy job involving openings in walls upstairs and downstairs, and costing thousands of euros. I am inclined to think a flexi liner of good quality would be sufficient to solve the problem. And also, a vent in the room where the fireplace is.
Any advice, especially on the flexi liners, would be appreciated. We burn smokeless coal. The chimney has been cleaned several times, and is very clean, but with a build up of 'creosote' (?) on the old liners, I would expect.
Thanks
Lucy

youtheman

Here is my tuppence worth, but I freely admit it is based upon 'thoery' as I've no practical experience in this field.

Before I'd think of an expensive upgrade or repair I'd be thinking of an internal inspection. This would be a good clean followed by a video inspection (the like of DynoRod have camera for inspecting drains). I'd get a firm price for this work first, but I think it would be a fraction of the cost of a repair (of course, you could do the inspection and then have to do a repair, but this is a risk you may have to take).

I cannot see why a relining would have to involve any inside (messy) work. A flexi liner, as you mention, would seem the way to go.

My neighbour did a job on his house recently and it involved a forced draft fan installed at the top of the chimney. Not sure if it for a gas or solid fuel fire, but this maybe an option if it's just a problem with insufficient updraft.

An open fire requires a good draft, and the laws of physics means that for a good airflow out the top you have to have an equal flow of air in at the bottom. If your room is sealed then this might be you problem.

cnocbui

I would say a flexi liner is the way to go. I would also seriously consider putting in a wood burning stove - with a multi fuel option if you want to still use coal. As well as fixing the flue problem you would gain 60-70% in heating efficiency at the same time.

Diy-ing it, I put in my stove with liner for less than €1500 some 8 years ago.

gsxr1

i would agree with cnocbui.

But saying that. I a no expert. seems like the sensible thing to do.

Putting in new clay liners would be a nightmare job and some cases would involve cutting in the home. How else would one deal with offsets.

The flexy option is far from cheap though. It is a pro job as far as I can tell. and the liner itself is very expensive as it has to deal with intense solid fuel heat. Its not the same as the type you see being used on oil or gas boilers.

Lucyspell

Thank you both for the replies.
I think there are different grades of flexi liners and we would need one suitable for coal. The room would not suit a stove, and we really like the open fire.
I am searching for a supplier of a good quality liner, and a professional to fit it, hopefully the supplier might recommend a person who would be reliable to do it. We are in Galway.
Thanks again
Lucy

celtboy1888

http://www.build.ie/company_490510.htm

i use this guy an all my reline work, good job done at all times..il a chimney sweep here in monaghan.