Fireplace

I thought I would start with showing the reason why we had to change the fireplace in the lounge. This is what we have been living with since we moved here and after Katy condemned the fire, it was ornamental only.


Once it was all ripped out, I think it looks better already. The fire back had to come out too and it left a bigger hole that I expected.

Standing back, you can see that it is quite a bit smaller than the old fire surround but looking good.

By the time I had finished breakfast it was all rendered and looking wonderful.


They had trouble getting the flue down the chimney as there was some mortar sticking out at the bend, but with one of them on the room and the other with his head up the chimney they did it and it was so exciting to think we can soon have smoke billowing up the flue and out of the new cowl on top of the chimney.


The end result is fantastic and we couldn't resist putting a few logs on to test it.

One thing they warned us about were fumes from the flue, paint and stove the first time we used the fire so we took it slowly. Unfortunately the smoke alarms detected the fumes and rather than sitting relaxing in front of a warm fire, we had to open the door and keep jumping up to waft something under the smoke detector.

Day two it was a different story and we got a bigger fire going. It wasn't long before we had to open the door and let the heat go out to the rest of the house.

Due to the problems with the flue, they ran out of time to put the mantle in place so more updates to follow later in the week once we have painted the wall and the wood is in place.