Neighbours Log Burner
Discussion
Background:
We got new neighbours about a year ago, having lived in our current house for 5 years. Our previous neighbours had two small children and were from Greece, so when they were in their garden they could be quite loud but it wasn't ever an issue because when they were in their house we never, ever heard them.
Since the new neighbours moving in, we can't quite understand it, but they somehow have managed to make closing doors and cupboard doors without making our radiators shake and our baby monitor 'activate' impossible. We are a tolerant family and as such, we just get along with it and they are very friendly.
On top of somehow being so loud, they have spent seemingly the last 12 months entirely doing DIY. A couple of examples;
- Cavity wall filling.
- Tree's taken down in back garden.
- New kitchen (went on for 8 weeks).
- Their dog has broken into our garden twice, the last time at 11.30 pm and it did two s
ts too. I even returned their dog to them and I got a thank you...I didn't tell them about the st, I just cleaned it up.
- Dogs barking.
- Using a chainsaw and other power tools in the relatively small garden (no more than 10x10 metres).
- Fitment and use of a log burner.
Log Burner:
They installed this log burner themselves (3 weekends of heavy drilling) and it isn't like any other log burner I've seen before. The ones I've seen people install, have the chimneys pointing out of the roof as the pipework is 'inside' the house. This one is about 1 foot clear of the guttering but is not set back into the roof. Instead, it's about 6 inches in front of the gutter.
Question:
What are the rules surrounding the exhausts? I've had a quick look and it seems there are regulations but can't make much sense out of the rules. In the winter it wasn't really a problem but with this warmer weather we have had our windows open and as you can tell we are very tolerant but our house consistently smells of smoke.
Can it be right that the fumes can make our clothes, duvet and sofas smell of smoke? I really hope not!
I can provide pictures if required.
We got new neighbours about a year ago, having lived in our current house for 5 years. Our previous neighbours had two small children and were from Greece, so when they were in their garden they could be quite loud but it wasn't ever an issue because when they were in their house we never, ever heard them.
Since the new neighbours moving in, we can't quite understand it, but they somehow have managed to make closing doors and cupboard doors without making our radiators shake and our baby monitor 'activate' impossible. We are a tolerant family and as such, we just get along with it and they are very friendly.
On top of somehow being so loud, they have spent seemingly the last 12 months entirely doing DIY. A couple of examples;
- Cavity wall filling.
- Tree's taken down in back garden.
- New kitchen (went on for 8 weeks).
- Their dog has broken into our garden twice, the last time at 11.30 pm and it did two s
ts too. I even returned their dog to them and I got a thank you...I didn't tell them about the st, I just cleaned it up. - Dogs barking.
- Using a chainsaw and other power tools in the relatively small garden (no more than 10x10 metres).
- Fitment and use of a log burner.
Log Burner:
They installed this log burner themselves (3 weekends of heavy drilling) and it isn't like any other log burner I've seen before. The ones I've seen people install, have the chimneys pointing out of the roof as the pipework is 'inside' the house. This one is about 1 foot clear of the guttering but is not set back into the roof. Instead, it's about 6 inches in front of the gutter.
Question:
What are the rules surrounding the exhausts? I've had a quick look and it seems there are regulations but can't make much sense out of the rules. In the winter it wasn't really a problem but with this warmer weather we have had our windows open and as you can tell we are very tolerant but our house consistently smells of smoke.
Can it be right that the fumes can make our clothes, duvet and sofas smell of smoke? I really hope not!
I can provide pictures if required.
You should not have to put up with smoke and smells from a neighbors flue so it certainly sounds like its not been installed correctly.
You can download Part J of the building regs here - http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF...
Skip to page 30
You can download Part J of the building regs here - http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF...
Skip to page 30
Hooli said:
IIRC its 1m from a window & 1m above the roof it protrudes from. Is your area designated a smoke free zone by your local council? if so they need to have installed a Defra approved log burner & it doesn't sound like they have (or they are burning wet wood).
Source on that?The gov.uk website makes it sound as if you just need to use approved smokeless fuel OR an exempt wood burner.
https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules
gov.uk said:
What you can burn in smoke control areas
In a smoke control area you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels, unless you’re using an exempt appliance
In a smoke control area you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels, unless you’re using an exempt appliance
Building regs will state but the flues around here all have to be high enough to reach the ridge. The picture below is actually of a boiler flue but the log burners are pretty much the same. You catch a wiff outside on the wind occasionally, usually when they're first being lit, but never in the house.
So the flue exits the propery, runs up the side of the house and then steps out to pass the roof overhang? exit is a foot above the roofline and approx 6 inches away from the roof laterally?
just trying to clear this up for others who may have knowledge as your description didnt make a huge amount of sense to me
just trying to clear this up for others who may have knowledge as your description didnt make a huge amount of sense to me
andburg said:
So the flue exits the propery, runs up the side of the house and then steps out to pass the roof overhang? exit is a foot above the roofline and approx 6 inches away from the roof laterally?
just trying to clear this up for others who may have knowledge as your description didnt make a huge amount of sense to me
There's one near me just like that.just trying to clear this up for others who may have knowledge as your description didnt make a huge amount of sense to me
andburg said:
So the flue exits the propery, runs up the side of the house and then steps out to pass the roof overhang? exit is a foot above the roofline and approx 6 inches away from the roof laterally?
just trying to clear this up for others who may have knowledge as your description didnt make a huge amount of sense to me
It's very much like this one below, except the uppermost bend is in line with the lowest part of the gutter, making it sit slightly lower. just trying to clear this up for others who may have knowledge as your description didnt make a huge amount of sense to me
I guess it could just be that he's burning the incorrect wood as it appears to be a proper kit he has purchased.
I'd call the local planning dept and inquire about restrictions as if you were planning on installing on yourself.
That way you'll know if you have a case to make a complaint.
if the exit has to be ridge height then they may have to extend it, whether that would make a noticeable different is an entirely different matter. I'd imagine that drying clothes outside is also now a no go?
That way you'll know if you have a case to make a complaint.
if the exit has to be ridge height then they may have to extend it, whether that would make a noticeable different is an entirely different matter. I'd imagine that drying clothes outside is also now a no go?
You have my sympathy. We have a neighbour who has moved in who had a wood burner installed, by a company. The problem is if the wind is in the right direction the smoke smell does get into the house. He is a nice enough guy but retired and money is tight you know, so he burns logs he gets.
The smoke less zones were designed to be er.. smokeless but the trendiness and tight fistedness seems to trump that.
The smoke less zones were designed to be er.. smokeless but the trendiness and tight fistedness seems to trump that.
Can't help with the log burner but expanding foam is marvellous stuff.
wrt the noise, they do sound inconsiderate at best and I assume attached (semi or terraced) hence more of an issue. My advice is start making some noise so they hear it, a lot of people just don't realise the noise they make, get the hammer drill out and make a racket back.
It might be they were getting some major things done and it will settle down, if it doesn't then move before falling out with them.
wrt the noise, they do sound inconsiderate at best and I assume attached (semi or terraced) hence more of an issue. My advice is start making some noise so they hear it, a lot of people just don't realise the noise they make, get the hammer drill out and make a racket back.
It might be they were getting some major things done and it will settle down, if it doesn't then move before falling out with them.
I'd be asking them if they notified Building Control (as they should have done for a new appliance and flue). I would suggest that this did not happen as the chimney install sounds not compliant. Maybe suggest to them that a retrospective involvement of the BCO may be sensible (...giving them the option to sort it before you do).
As you say they are nice people I would proceed with diplomacy. You're asking if the log burner will smell - why not wait and see? You can always ask them to extend the flue.
If they have been in for one year then they might well be doing up the house and it might end soon.
Maybe they keep the windows open so the doors slam.
Start with a friendly chat is my advice.
If they have been in for one year then they might well be doing up the house and it might end soon.
Maybe they keep the windows open so the doors slam.
Start with a friendly chat is my advice.
budgie smuggler said:
Hooli said:
IIRC its 1m from a window & 1m above the roof it protrudes from. Is your area designated a smoke free zone by your local council? if so they need to have installed a Defra approved log burner & it doesn't sound like they have (or they are burning wet wood).
Source on that?The gov.uk website makes it sound as if you just need to use approved smokeless fuel OR an exempt wood burner.
https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules
gov.uk said:
What you can burn in smoke control areas
In a smoke control area you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels, unless you’re using an exempt appliance
In a smoke control area you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels, unless you’re using an exempt appliance
The point made later in the thread that it needs Building Control approval is worth noting too.
Hooli said:
Sorry, you're right. I forgot the second bit as we're burning wood in ours so had to get a Defra stove.
The point made later in the thread that it needs Building Control approval is worth noting too.
No problem, I was just a tad worried as I'm in a smoke control area and have recommissioned an open fireplace this week!The point made later in the thread that it needs Building Control approval is worth noting too.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Sometimes it's the only option. I'm guessing that may be for an oil burning AGA or similar though. Either way, it's legal to do that, though IIRC you lose a lot of the efficiency and it's mega expensive! I work for a company that sells these things, so know a little. You have to have them installed by a HETAS engineer, or signed off by Building Control (which is mega expensive for obvious reasons). If they've done it DIY, they may get served a building control notice to put it right.As others have said, if you're in a smoke controlled area you will need to install a DEFRA approved stove and can only burn wood normally. I'm outside of that area so I have a multi-fuel stove (though at present just burn wood). Thought it prudent in case I changed my mind.
budgie smuggler said:
Hooli said:
Sorry, you're right. I forgot the second bit as we're burning wood in ours so had to get a Defra stove.
The point made later in the thread that it needs Building Control approval is worth noting too.
No problem, I was just a tad worried as I'm in a smoke control area and have recommissioned an open fireplace this week!The point made later in the thread that it needs Building Control approval is worth noting too.
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