gas fire to log burning fire

[teamB2011]

We have moved into house whuch has marble fire surround and basket in it with artificial coals in it. It was formerly a gas fire but had been capped off by previous owners. We were advised to get chimney sweeped and then had bew chimney pot put on which we have done. The issue is with the next step. We seem to be receiving different advise and wondered if anyone csn assist? One guy said he needs to see photos of the fire but that it may be that whole fire surround has to come off. I can't believe it. He said something about heat of fire could crack it. The floor around fire is concrete in black. Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers

Watching this as I want to install a log burner in place of my open Victorian fire. Am having the chimney swept next week and he also supplies and fits log burners so I will be asking him lots of questions.

I think you need to know a bit more about what is there. Is the flue a proper double-skinned (or clay lined) affair or is it just a single skinned gas flue? Flue gases from a gas fire are much cleaner than from a woodburner so the flue doesn't have to be as robust.

The hearth also needs to be able to take the weight and heat of a stove, both of which are more substantial than for a gas fire.

There are a lot of regulations surrounding what you can fit, for good safety reasons. It's not something to skimp on, unless you want a chimney fire. I found this to be a very helpful website www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_help_and_advice.html
when we had ours done. Make sure your installer is HETAS registered for building regulations.

Thanks very much. I think i may have called it the wrong name. I meant open fire wuth a grate in which you put wood or coal etc, not a log burner. Not sure uf thst has a bearing? Thanks

oh, sorry I just assumed it would be a stove as that's what everyone seems to want these days
IMO it is worth getting one if you can, they pump out far more heat than an open fire. An open fire sends most of its heat up the chimney, sadly.
The same advice about the flue liner and the hearth still holds, though. You really do need to find out what you've actually got inside the chimney. A good sweep should be able to help you out. Some of them have cameras they can put up there.

www.amazon.co.uk/Fireplaces-Chimneys-Stoves-Michael-Waumsley/dp/1861267460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385453644&sr=8-1&keywords=chimneys

This is also a great book to get that explains it all, and the safety reasons behind the requirements.

how old is the house?

thanks for your comments. i will ask our sweep what we have inside the chimney.

pigletjohn - it is 1900.

If it is a 1900 house then it is bound to have been built with chimneys/flues and fireplaces suitable for coal fires, and not little flues for gas fires.

However it will have been altered a lot in the last 60 years, and may need reconstruction and possibly a liner.

An experienced local sweep should be able to identify what needs doing, and know local firms.