Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

[bkins]

Hi there,

We recently installed a multi-fuel stove in a pre-existing fireplace in our living room. It was done by a certified professional and was tested for leaks etc upon installation. We have certificates and paperwork to show this was done satisfactorily. Since we have started using the stove, our neighbours have reported that they can smell 'fumes' or a 'coal smell' each time it is lit. This happened last night, so my husband went round. He said that they have an electric heater type thing and what looks like a old back boiler in their living room on the other side of the wall which our stove is on. These are likely what are causing the smell when they get hot from our stove. There is no smell our side, and we have carbon monoxide alarms etc to ensure the stove is safe.

We are going to show them our paperwork etc this evening, and maybe give the guy who installed it a call to get him to check it is all okay, and maybe get some advice from him for them. We're reticent to light our stove until this is done, but we'd like to use it now we've spent the money on putting it in!!

Legally though were anything to happen or if they had to upgrade or change their back boiler, would we be liable for any of it? Is there anything we should do specifically to cover ourselves?

Thanks!
Anna

[des8]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

I would assume your installer will be able to allay their fears.

If they (or previous owners) used coal there are probably deposits of coal tar in and around the flue which they are smelling when the deposits are heated.
As you are heating their house for them are they going to subsidise your fuel bills

[meellis]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

Most multi fuel stoves are now installed with a flexible flue liner from the top of the chimney down to the stove because the chimneys do not get as hot as they used to, you want as much of the heat in the room not heating the chimney. So that means that there should be this liner, and a brick wall between your chimney and your neighbours there shouldn't be just one chimney void you share there should be two one for each building built within the chimney. Because of this your neighbours shouldn't be getting too hot and really should not get any fumes from your stove. The only possibility if it has been installed correctly could be some form of downdraught bringing the fumes back down their chimney from yours. Just because you have paperwork doesn't mean that the installation is correct it just means the installer say's it is correct.

[des8]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

Depends on age of the property.
I've lived in house where the flue was shared between houses (and it did cause problems till rebuilt)

[meellis]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

You are right Des but there should still be a liner from the stove and if there is only one chimney void then it is more important that a liner is installed.

[wales01man]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

Can the Op check the invoice to see if liner was installed? And properly having been a builder I have see some installed in such a bodge way to be potentially lethal Until its check it should NOT be used

[meellis]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

The OP wouldn't have to check if a liner has been installed by reading the invoice its fairly noticeable when somebody has to get on your roof and lower 40ft of 6inch silver pipe down the chimney. I would suggest looking at the manufacturers instructions and see what it states about the installation requirements of the chimney. A flexible liner for a solid fuel stove would be around £30+vat a metre trade but the health and safety requirements of installing it can make that part of the job far more expensive than the stove itself.

[bkins]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

He definitely installed a liner, it took him most of a morning, and checked it for leaks before leaving. <br>It smells fine, works fine, looks fine on our side, CO alarm next to it is all good and he is Hetas certified, I'm assuming that says something about his abilities and trustworthiness.

We have 2 flues, one for each house, so there is flue liner and brick between our side and theirs. From what my husband could smell, it is not fumes from our chimney, but the smell of their boiler, directly behind our stove (plus brick wall) getting warm.<br><br>We will contact the installer and ask for his advice, then perhaps suggest our neighbours get their back boiler checked. Just wondering if we'd be liable for any costs their incur assuming everything is installed correctly on our side.<br><br>Thanks for your replies!

[meellis]

Re: Stove causing smell in neighbour's house

Hetas is the solid fuel equivalent of being gassafe registered for gas so is a good thing and it certainly sounds a good install. The only concern I would have is why their fireplace is getting warm from your stove. You would expect it not to be cold but if it is warm enough to create fumes it is strange, maybe look into something behind your stove to reflect more of the heat into your property where you want it. By the way carbon monoxide is odourless hence the need for an alarm, fumes do not always indicate carbon monoxide but that doesn't mean fumes don't always contain carbon monoxide. I could not see why you should be liable for any maintenance costs for their equipment unless there was something found that could be attributed to you or the installer but the fact that they are neighbours it always pays to be responsive to there concerns over any matters to atop them escalating.