Wood Burning Stove Installation
Like many things nowadays, you can find stoves on the internet cheap as chips and the fitters will be offering to install it for you at next to nothing. You may be saving money but choosing a cheap stove and getting it fitted inexpensively will mostly result in a dangerous situation. Badly manufactured and installed stoves could be in the end, potentially deadly.
When installing a wood burning stove into your home, there are a lot of things to take into consideration, for example 'are you 100% positive that the fitter you have chosen is going to install the stove to meet the building regulations?' If you have some doubts, then all you need to do if find another fitter even if it costs you more. In the end, choosing the inexpensive fitter who will not meet the regulations may result in costing you more; with possible fines of up to £4000 for not meeting the high standards of the building regulations.
There are many different stories going around in the media about badly installed stoves turning deadly. Recently, a bungalow owner in Loughborough decided to take it upon himself to install the stove himself with the ending being not so happy, his bungalow burnt down. Fortunately, the owner wasn't hurt in the fire but he lost his home and faced fines of £4000.
In basic terms, a wood burning stove is a box of fire, which in normal circumstances is a force not to be messed with because of its destructive powers. With all the damage fire can cause, it is certainly in your best interests to get your stove installed perfectly to avoid any potentially fatal situations.
Whilst the fire is the first thing you think of when considering the dangers of a badly manufactured and installed stove, it is not the only one. Carbon Monoxide can be deadly too. With every stove that has been installed you should always make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm nearby. This will then inform you of any leakages of the dangerous substance so you can act fast and save lives.
When beginning the search for a stove and installer, the first thing to do that will be the most beneficial is to get advice from a HETAS trained installer with all the appropriate training and experience. These installers will be able to give you some recommendations on where to buy your stove from to ensure it is a genuine wood burning stove and not a fake version. Also, importantly will be able to advise you on what type of flue system you need to install the stove safely.
Remember once your wood burning stove has been installed safely, you need to maintain it by keeping it clean, swept and replacing any parts it may need.
Do not let these horror stories but you off enjoying the beauty of a wood burning stove. All you need to do is research and get as much information and quotes as possible before going ahead and installing it.
Here at Bowland Stoves, we can arrange everything you need to get the stove to your home; from deciding on the stove to organising a HETAS fitter to come and install it. Once installed we can also help you maintain your stove by supplying you with replacement glass or anyspare parts! If you can't find what you are looking for on our website, give us a ring on 01706 813393 and one of our team can help you!
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