What are the new coal and wet wood fire rules? UK government - Wet wood & House Coal is being phased out this season. (February 2021)

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Wet wood & House Coal is being phased out this season. (February 2021)

What is the new UK Government rules for fires and wood burners that burn wood and coal?

• The sales of all bagged traditional house coal will be phased out by February 2021.
• The sale of loose coal direct to customers via approved coal merchants by February 2023. 
• The sales of wet wood in units of under 2m3 will be restricted from sale from February 2021,

Coal burning customers
Buying smokeless coal (clean coal) will be your option.

Wood burning customers
This shouldn't effect you too much as most of my customer already buy fully seasoned / barn or kiln dried fire wood.

Looking at seasoning the fire wood yourself?
Wet wood sold in volumes greater than 2m3 will be sold with advice on how to dry it before burning from February 2021

Jim Chim-in-ey - Dorset Chimney Sweep for Bournemouth,C & Poole

Visit my advice page for more fire related guidance.
https://www.jimchimney.co/p/advice.html

Jim's Firewood articles

1. What is the difference between kiln dried and seasoned firewood?
2. #7 Ways to tell if your firewood is seasoned and ready to burn
3. The best way to store your firewood!
4. #7 Questions to ask before burning your firewood!
5. Softwood vs Hardwood.
6. Wood Types that are good and not so good to burn
7. Burning woodwork off-cuts
8. What wood gives off the best heat?
9. What size logs should you burn in your chimney or woodburner?

Looking for more information on the new fire & wood burner UK government regulation?
Please visit.

.Gov Website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-takes-action-to-cut-pollution-from-household-burning

Easy Read Article:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/21/house-coal-and-wet-wood-to-be-phased-out-by-2023-to-cut-pollution]

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

Click above to Sign-Up for the FREE reminder service by Jim Chim-in-ey

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, Wimborne, Christchurch and Dorset.

Want to have your chimney swept?

Contact JC Today!

The wood burner safety checklist to tick off this winter.

Here is a handy woodburner safety check list that woodburner owners can do to ensure their woodburner, stove or multi fuel is in tip top working condition, ready for a safe winter burning season.

woodburner winter checklist

Fire rope - is your fire sealing correctly around the door of your wood burner?

• Is your fire-rope fraying?
• Is your fire rope making a tight seal? To check cut a piece of paper and shut the door on a strip of paper and pull the paper to see if the door is gripping it. Do this in multiple places around wood-burner / stove.
• Is the fire rope coming away from the door?

If any of the above then you fire-rope will need replacing.

Is the stove pipe smoke tight?
Check that none of the fire cement or fire silicone is missing around the joints of the stove pipe and replace if required.

Are your fire bricks cracked?
If Yes it is recommended to replace the fire brick.

• For a temporary fix you can use fire cement to fill the crack.
• To replace either the fire brick part from a wood burner supplier or you can purchase vermiculite and cut it to size to replace the fire brick.

Clear the wood burners throat regularly.
Also known as a baffle plate, to remove this you may need to remove the fire bricks and then the baffle plate to clear the soot that gathers on the throat. If soot gathers here it  can restrict the woodburner's efficiency and increase the chance of fire. This should be done about once every 2 month during burning season.

Ensure flammable items are at least 60cm away from the woodburner.

• Check under and around the woodburner for items, you would surprised how many toys and items that get knocked under the wood burner which can cause a fire risk.
• Ensure your firewood basket is not too close, I've seen many of these singed which could have caused a house fire.
• Stack your firewood at least 60 cm away from the burner the room temperature will still help dry the wood.

Important! Don't ever miss a sweep? 

Your chimney sweep uses their experience to safely assess and recommend the next chimney sweep date, by missing a sweep your chances of a chimney fire increase and you insurance may not be covered.

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

Click above to Sign-Up for the FREE reminder service by Jim Chim-in-ey

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, Wimborne, Christchurch and Dorset.

Want to have your chimney swept?

Contact JC Today!

What is a chimney smoke pressure test?

What is a chimney smoke pressure test?

The smoke pressure test, also known as a chimney soundness test can identify any fault that causes fumes to escape during the normal operation of the appliance. The test is carried out by a professional following the procedure described in the European Standard BSEN 15287-1. To comply with Building Regulations chimneys should be pressure smoke tested to ensure that the appliance is safe to use when planning to reinstate or open up a fireplace. This is because mortar joints can deteriorate with age.

Does a chimney sweep certificate ensure my chimney is sound? 

A simple visual check by your chimney sweep may be used as guidance of the condition of your flue, but please be aware that this check only refers to what can be seen from the ground with a mirror and torch. It is always advised that a pressure smoke test is undertaken. 

What if my chimney fails the smoke pressure test? 

Every part of a property will require repairs over time and a chimney is no different. It is unrealistic to expect an old chimney to be sound for a lifetime. If your chimney fails the soundness test then the test has been successful in preventing you from being exposed to harmful fumes. Yes, It may be necessary to have the chimney lined or an alternative appliance installed, but at least you are safe.

Thinking of opening up your fireplace?

Stay safe and make sure you talk to an experienced chimney sweep in your area before lighting a fire.

Co Aware, Fire Kills

Chimney repair businesses' for people who live in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne or Dorset? 

• Chimney Geeks - Bournemouth & Poole leaders in chimney engineering
• Dorset Wood Burner Centre - Suppliers & installers of wood burners and multi-fuel stoves
• Avon forest chimneys - Wood Burning Stove Installation, Solid/Multi Fuel & Fireplaces Throughout Christchurch, Bournemouth, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire & South West England
• Chimney Keepers - Provide a chimney sweeping and repair service throughout Dorset and the surrounding areas.
• Billing Chimney & Flue Services Ltd Offer professional chimney design, installation and repair services across the South of the UK.

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

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

______________________________

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, Christchurch, 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!

A Dorset chimney sweeps guide to the 3 stages (Degrees) of creosote / soot

3 stages of creosote

What is creosote / Soot

In chimney speak, The term creosote & soot refers to the black stuff that sticks to the inside of your chimney.

Soot is used to describe a powdery residue of un-burnt particles including whats known as stage 1 creosote.

Creosote is generally used to describes a more tar like residue of unburned carbon which can form from poorly bunt wood.

There are, as a rule, three sorts of creosote that are found in chimneys and they are normally called "stages" or "degrees." All three stages are flammable and should be removed regularly by a professional chimney sweep.

Stage 1 creosote (first degree)

This is a light & fluffy good quality soot. 
The fuel that has been burnt is burning efficiently and the wood has had lots of air for the combustion process. The appliance is likely to be in good working order with high flue gas temperatures.
The soot can be removed effectively by a chimney sweeps doing a manual or power sweep.

Stage 2 creosote (Second degree)

This is a honeycomb/ flaky / biscuit type of substance.
This highlights something might not be quite right and it might be time to change your burning / chimney sweep patterns before it gets worse.
Follow this link fo the list of actions that could be causing creosote issues in your chimney.

Stage 3 (Third degree)

This is where the un-burned carbon particles sticks to the flue in the form of a tar like substance. 
It is a concentration of fuel and is extremely difficult to remove by traditional sweeping methods. To remove requires either chemical removal or a flue reline. This is caused by the same issues that can create stage 2 and is usually formed over longer exposure to poor burning conditions.
Follow this link fo the list of actions that could be causing creosote issues in your chimney.

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!

CCTV inspection - Chimney Sweep Dorset

CCTV - Chimney Sweep

Did you know that all C.S.A members have CCTV inspecting gear on board as part of their chimney sweeping kit.

This can be used to fault find, investigate and remove blockages, determine capped stacks and to ensure the chimney is in good working order.

This is also great tool to check if there is any cables, wires or pipes running through a stack before installing a wood burner or multi-fuel.

Recommended article:  How Jim Chim-in-ey investigates a suspected birds nest in a chimney

______________________________

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!

Jim Chimney - Dorset's Chimney Sweep Specialist covering Bournemouth, Poole & Dorset

Why is it so important to protect wild birds?

Dorset Chimney Bird Nest Guide: Article Four

I met up with professional Ecologist, Edward Parrott to find out why it is so important to not disturb wild bird nests in season.

“Many birds within the UK have suffered dramatic population declines in recent decades. This has been for numerous reasons including loss of habitat, restriction in food supply, and even direct persecution by people. Finding a suitable site, collecting materials and building a nest, attracting a mate, laying eggs, incubating the eggs and feeding and defending chicks from predators takes an enormous amount of time and energy for bird. They’re at their most vulnerable when they’re on their nest and it’s really important that they are not disturbed so that they can complete their life cycle.”

Useful links
Rspb.org.uk

Recommended article: #7 ways to tell if your firewood is seasoned and ready to burn

______________________________

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!

What optimum temperature should your wood burner or stove be at?

The Temperature Guide

Getting the right temperature in your wood burner or stove will help reduce the build up of soot and creosote in your chimney flue.

There are 3 main temperature zones that will effect your wood-burner or stove.

Zone One - The Creosote Zone - 0'c - 129'c
This is the cool temperature where creosote thrives, Tiny unburned particles in the smoke sticks to the inside of the liner causing a taring of the chimney flue. Once its on it can be difficult for a chimney sweep to remove.

Zone Two - The Optimum Zone - 130'c - 240'c
Time to relax and enjoy the warmth of your fire.

Zone Three - The Damage Zone - 241'c - 500'c
You could be damaging your stove. Your burning her to HOT which can result in the Discoloring of paint, warping of important components such as maintenance bolts. In some cases you may get the cracking of weld-joints which would result in your stove being unsafe.



You can pick up a stove pipe thermometer / temperature gauge for under £5.00 online!
Here is a couple of direct links I found from a quick UK search.

• Ebay option one - Stove pipe thermometer
• Amazon option two - Stove pipe thermometer

Remember: Always refer to your wood-burner or stoves manual as some stoves have a lower recommended temperature..

Recommended article: The best way to store your firewood!

______________________________

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!

______________________________
Please check your wood-burners manufactures instruction for recommended temperatures. The above article is just a generally speaking.