Chimney Flue lining

[kags]

My neighbour had a company round to give her a quote to reline her chimney flue. They did a smoke test and discovered that the smoke also came out of my chimney (the houses are semi detached). I was unaware of all of this until a knock came to the door and the man from the chimney company told me I wasn't allowed to use my gas fire until I get my chimney relined as there is a leak between the chimneys. Oh and by the way it'll cost me �200. And they can't do the work until the end of the month so I shall be 3 weeks without my gas fire. There is an "extremely small" risk of CO build up, but the chimney man admitted it was extremely unlikely, and I have a detector fitted. However, I shall not chance using my fire until this is sorted.

Now, my question is, if my neighbour is getting her chimney relined anyway, surely that will sort out the leak, so do I really need to get mine done as well? I am not being a cheapskate here (well, not entirely), it's just that I don't want to get ripped off.

Any chimney experts out there?

[pilotlight]

kags, It would appear that you and your neighbour have " fallen midfeathers ". This means that the bricks that divide your 2 separate flues have become dislodged. ( This is quite common in properties over 50 years old ). To carry out any work to flues that are a passage for gas appliance products, the company must be Corgi registered. Ask to see proof of registration from the company that made you aware of the problem. If proof is forthcoming, it is your decision on whether you use this company , or provide your own.

The workmen are quite correct in informing you that both flues will need to be lined ( this will be done by installing a 125mm. flexible steel liner down the flue ),providing that the gas fire can be used in conjunction with a class 2 flue. ( the corgi engineer will check this ). If your next door neighbour had this work done, and you didn't, there would still be a possibility of CO fumes entering next door,and possibly your own home.

As this work will be relatively expensive, contact your insurance company, as this is a structural problem. Don't forget ---- Corgi registered company only.

Sorry for being the bearer of bad news, but hope this helps.

[kags]

thank you, that was very helpful. I didn't fully understand what lining entailed, but can now see that lining just one chimney isn't enough. The company was Corgi registered (I checked on their van) , but I just wanted to check I wasn't getting talked into having unnecessary work done.

It's answers like yours that continue to make Answerbank the worthwhile place it is.

[pilotlight]

kags, tabathazig is quite correct, there is a rogue element out there who claim to be Corgi registered, but are not. Usually, a Corgi logo on the van would suggest genuine registration, but as the bus conductor said -----" we've got Ladbokes written on the side of the bus, but we don't take bets ! "

Cheers.