Getting the Log Burning Stove Ready for Winter - Our French Renovation, The Good Life

If only installing a Log Burner was a simple as making a purchase at your local DIY store. We'd started by having our chimney professionally inspected and swept, submitting the paperwork to our insurance company. As a precautionary measure, around the house we'd already installed several smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We had a solid, level granite plinth with nothing in combustible range.
Surely, it should be a walk in the park for us.
Not so, as during previous renovations of an upstairs bedroom we had noticed yellow staining on the plaster-work. Upon further investigation, it turned out all the mortar between the bricks was crumbling and smoke had been leaking into two bedrooms; probably for decades. Upon moving into the attic we found two rows of bricks were missing from the chimney and it was about to collapse.
Our house is of stone and timber construction and when we stood on the roof looking down the chimney, several large scorched wooden beams were visible criss-crossing the flue. Peaking into the chimney we could see at some point the rear of the mantelpiece had caught fire.
Ideally, that wood needs protecting as some of it is starting to show it's age. The flue liner should be kept well away from the wood. Ideally, around 45cm. Our liner is secured on ceramic tiles and centered with a metal plate.
Two of our chimneys are huge and they are un-capped. Each year owls bring wheelbarrow loads of nesting material into the chimney and other animal such as pine-martins had been attacking beams.
A chimney of this size could cope with a massive log burner and luckily we found a 12Kw one at a reasonable price. The goal was to get a solid flue liner up the chimney without touching the sides and stand clear of the top. With a spinning cap on top, the theory is, the fumes will be sucked up from the fire. At 220 square meters, with tall ceilings, this house will take some heating, especially as we have only just begun insulating. This log burner will therefore form a focal point of the house during winter.
We have a small plot of woodland and numerous trees that keep us stocked with plenty of wood. Also, surrounding our land the local farmers manage hectares of forest, so we will never run out of cheap wood.
Getting the flue pipe straight wasn't easy. We had to order a special universal joint that came from the other side of the planet. Each joint is sealed with high temperature sealant. With a solid stainless steel tube rather than flexible pipe, we can thoroughly scrub the pipe ourselves on a regular basis, between having the annual legally required professional sweeping.
With the extra insulation in the ceiling, all the draught fixed and the double glazed windows re-fitted, this room is going to be the most thermally efficient and easiest it's even been to heat. It's definitely the safest.
As with every job on an old house, there are always unexpected jobs, to slow progress but the rewards from this particular job have definitely been worth the wait.
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#DIYLogBurnerInstall
#LogBurnerChimneyInstallation
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[@gypsy1588]

Bravo!!!! You now have a fireplace to keep you warm and to cozy up to. The room is looking amazing, and I love the colors you selected.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you. We went through loads of colours and played safe with the terracotta.

[@charmees6637]

Yay! You got the wood burner going. Doors up. Panelling is painted looking lovely and cosy 👏

[@jeffreyskinner7167]

You have both done a bang on job. A hot toddy in front of the fire in the lounge perhaps? Well done.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Mandy does love a hot toddy.

[@janegendreau6595]

Way to go, you pair, the stove will keep you warm, as well as the beautiful door!! Good job & many, many blessings!! 🇺🇸

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you :)

[@arieveloo9808]

Great work! Your door🎉!!❤

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you! 🤗

[@kathylisowski8563]

Great Video. Thank you.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Our pleasure. It's just a bit of fun really.

[@frenchfarmhouserenovation71]

Love your choice of colour and so happy you got your log burner🔥to keep you warm for the winter😊

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thanks 👍

[@sheridavis261]

I love it all! The fire looks go great and the paint colour is perfect! Have a wonderful Christmas!

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Happy Christmas and a great new year!

[@Helen-uw3pu]

The wealth of knowledge you have on how to tackle all these jobs never ceases to amaze me. Also love your sense of humour. All the best to you both for the Christmas season.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

It's a very relaxing way to live. We love it. We learn new stuff every day. It might seem like we know what we are doing, but we really don't.

[@jennystreet3409]

The doors look amazing and the fireplace too!

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you.

[@coletteellerton1840]

Fabulous work you are doing 🎉

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you

[@melaniewest3947]

The fire looks cosy. Well done.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

The fire was worth the wait.

[@columroche435]

Great work on the chimney and the doors folks 👌

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thanks, the room is really warm now.

[@daynight4902]

BEST TO YOU

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Happy Christmas

[@jeojeo9393]

A time laps of you making the door would have great in the video

[@auntytutu]

Both of you have earned a nice long sit by the fire🔥. I was dancing and cheering too see that warm glow in the glass of the fire. Well done, I know you will be warm all winter 🥶

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

So glad we made you happy. Happy Christmas and and Amazing New Year to you!

[@maxinepearce4909]

Great job both of you.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you

[@Francis-kw9ui]

1 down , 2 more to go

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

1 Chimney is to be removed - that will be a massive job. It was badly installed and is falling over. Not looking forward to that one. The other has also been messed with but hopefully just needs lining.

[@Francis-kw9ui]

@@ourfrenchrenovation best of luck

[@GirlSeeksGhosts1]

Absolutely brilliant you two! Well done! I watch a lot of the french renovation things (french and english) from millionaires and to those who make a fortune on KZbin but I have to say you are by far my favourite renovators. In case you don't get another video on before Christmas, just want to wish you a very warm 😁and happy Christmas and I look forward to watching you in the New Year xx

[@anniek3629]

Likewise, love the work you do 💪🏻it is so real and down to earth! Happy Christmas 🎄

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thanks, that means a lot. We only do it as a bit of fun. We don't consider ourselves vloggers or dedicate much time to it. We're not even that good at renovating. We came into this with zero skills and a budget of just a couple thousand euros. I'm just glad it brings a little bit of happiness into peoples lives. Have a Happy Christmas and a Great New Year

[@tracybush8115]

The woodstove looks terrific, new doors look great and paint colour is going to suit the room beautifully. Looking forward to seeing that room with a Christmas tree in it - very festive.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thanks. A new vlog with the tree up coming out soon.

[@alanseviour7346]

Great job guys. Keep warm and have a nice Christmas.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thanks, you too!

[@user-vy3vk2sb8p]

Great progress!

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thank you

[@neridamoore7635]

great work guys, looks so comfy.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Very comfy. It's going to be a great Christmas

[@TheKatyQ]

Great job!

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Thanks

[@rosannehart7325]

Love the colour of the wood panels. They really tie I. The room. What colour are you doing the doors! Have a great week.

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

Not sure yet on the doors. When we see a colour on something, we'll know. Until then...... we haven't a clue.

[@carolmarshall6106]

Are you hoping to use the room for Christmas?If so hope you get chance to do a vlog to show us what it looks like.If you can't manage that then best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.xx

[@ourfrenchrenovation]

The Vlog is on it's way. Happy Christmas and a Great new year to you too!

[@jeojeo9393]

Where did you get the universal joint from please share the link cheers

[@jeojeo9393]

What is the paint for