What Happens if Your Chimney Fails its

Smoke Test?

What Happens if Your Chimney Fails its Smoke Test?This leaflet will explain what will happen if your solid fuel chimney fails its smoke test as a result of the solid fuel service. You will not be able to use your open fire or stove until the chimney has been relined. You will be issued with portable heaters to use in the interim and compensated for their use according to the table opposite. We will instruct our chimney relining contractor to carry out the work and they will normally respond within two working weeks.

The works to the chimney involve sweeping it before drawing a plug up through the flue from the top to line it with pumped material. This is a relatively clean process and our contractor will take all the necessary steps to minimise disturbance to your home, such as providing dust sheets, cleaning, etc.

It may also be necessary to break into the chimney breast at several points. Where possible, this will be done from outside the property. If this is not possible, you will be issued with vouchers to help the cost of re-decorating your home. Following the relining works, the chimney will need to be dried out as follows:

• If you have a built in stove with a back-boiler, a blower heater (2kw) will be used for 12 hours following completion of the lining with the stove doors open.

• If you have an open fire, a blower or convector heater will be placed in front of the opening for 12 hours following completion of the lining.

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• In both circumstances after warming the flue, use three fires over three days: day 1 - low (small fire), day 2 - medium (medium fire) and day 3 - high (large fire).

The above procedure will cure the flue without damage.

Any Queries?Should you have any queries or wish to discuss anything about your chimney relining, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01588 676200.

Compensation Table

Where your primary form You will be compensated of heating is: at a rate of*:

Open fire using Housecoal 94 pence per day whilst the chimney is unusable

Open fire using Homefire Ovals 94 pence per day whilst the chimney is unusable

Closed room heater using 49 pence per day whilst the anthracite chimney is unusable

* These figures have been derived from the data at http://www.deadirect.co.uk

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5626

3: 0

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South Shropshire Housing AssociationThe Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9BWTel: 01588 676200 Email: info@sshropsha.co.uk www.shropshirehousing.org.uk

Shropshire Housing Group consists of the following organisations

Shropshire Housing Group consists of the following organisations

Equal Opportunities statement We recognise the damage that disadvantage and discrimination can cause. We are committed to equal opportunities and will take positive steps to ensure that you will not be treated less favourably than anyone else in your dealings with us because of race, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, class or age.

Access for all...If you require this document in another format, for example Braille, large type, audio tape or another language please contact us.