If your answer is not listed below please feel free to contact us, click here to be directed to our Contact page

Why should I have a Fireplace?

We believe finding a home with a fireplace is on the wish list of most people wanting to buy a home. Onetime, the fireplace was found right in the middle of the home and for a good reason. The fireplace originally functioned to heat the entire home and to be used for cooking. But with modern appliances being invented and fancier ways of cooking food and heating the home now available, many fireplaces are not as functional as they were. They're generally considered as a decorative choice.  

What should I bear in mind when deciding on a Hearth material?

When Choosing a Material for you fireplace, remember the harder the product the better it will perform. Unfortunately accidents do occur, dropping Pokers or tongs are often happen, which can leave nasty chips in the newly laid hearth.

What are the clearances needed around my stove?

When installing a stove into an inglenook setting it is important to allow adequate clearance around the stove.  This allows air to circulate efficiently into the room, access to any controls on the side of the stove and also protects both the stove and the surroundings from damage by excess heat.

Manufacturers differ in their stated clearances, but the figures below are a good guide. The hearth depth (C) must be retained to comply with building regulations.

The stove must stand above a hearth constructed of suitably robust materials and should be able to accommodate the weight of the appliance. The hearth should be composed of a constructional hearth of at least 125mm thick and a superimposed hearth e.g. Slate or tile 50mm thick. In instances were the hearth temperature of a stove is rated below 100°c a 12mm thick non combustible hearth is suitable.

PLEASE NOTE - THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY

Why HETAS?

Floors and Fires are experienced HETAS Qualified engineers.

It is strongly recommended that you use a HETAS regulated fitter to do the work to ensure you meet all the required building regulations. Work carried out by a suitably qualified HETAS installer can be self-certified at installation rather than the customer applying for a Building Notice from their Local Authority.

As HETAS approved installers we have greater experience and often complete an installation quicker, cheaper and to a higher standard.

Please note, failure to meet building regulations could result in you invalidating your home insurance.

Why Install A Liner?

There are a number of reasons why an old chimney may need lining.

 1.  The flue is leaking smoke and fumes into other rooms or parts of the building.

 2.  To stop condensates or tar seeping through the chimney walls causing staining, either inside or outside the building (a common problem with wood burning stoves due to lower volumes of hot air moving throughout the chimney in comparison with an open fire).

3. The flue is much too large for the type of fire or appliance being used.

4. The flue is too cold, particularly if on an outside wall, and is not drawing properly.

5. If the chimney was built since 1965, but with the liners fitted the wrong way up, tar and condensate leakage may occur.

6. The old flue surface is eroded and rough, causing frictional resistance to the flow of the gasses resulting in poor updraught.

7.  The chimney is not sweepable due to access to the flue being too small.

Re-lining of a chimney solves all of the above issues making your stove perform the best it possibly can.  Not to mention keeping your family and property safe and making sweeping a very clean and simple operation.

Chimney sweeping is an essential part of running a stove/fire. Your chimney should be swept 1-4 times a year depending upon fuel and usage. Regular sweeping of your chimney will keep your stove/fire working well and keep your home and family safe.

The modern day chimney sweep makes it a very quick and clean operation.

If you've just moved house ask the previous owner to provide a sweep certificate to prove when the flue was last swept.  If there is any doubt at all over when the flue was last swept, get a sweep in.  A blocked flue can cause serious harm....even death.