CLEANFLUE NI CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Customer Information Centre
Clear guidance for safer, more efficient solid-fuel use
Choose a guide below for practical operating, maintenance and safety information. This guidance supports, but never replaces, the instructions supplied by your appliance manufacturer.
Beams, Cladding, Firebox Edges & Hearths
Beam choices, firebox cladding and brick panels, edge finishes and hearth materials, sizes and styles.
Stove Size & Ventilation Calculators
Estimate room heat output and permanent air-vent requirements for Northern Ireland.
Wood Burning Guide
Traditional and top-down lighting, suitable wood and safe burning.
Coal Fire Instructions
How to light a multi-fuel stove safely with smokeless coal.
Customer Stove Guidance
Essential stove and liner do’s, don’ts and reminders.
Open Fire Guidance
Safe operation, suitable fuels and open-fire precautions.
F600 Flue Liner
Product specification, performance and guarantee summary.
Chimney Repointing
The six-stage process and why sound mortar matters.
Unused Flueway Termination
Correct top and bottom ventilation for blocked fireplaces and disused chimneys.
Smoke Control Areas
NI district map, appliance and fuel rules, plus Ecodesign and exemption guidance.
Lead Tray Guidance
Internal chimney damp proofing, drainage, warning signs and material guidance.
Birds’ Nests & the Law
What to do when a chimney nest is found and when removal is lawful.
Building Control Guidance
Prior notification, inspection, commissioning and official downloads.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning frequencies, tools and seasonal maintenance.
Camera Inspections & Flue Testing
Camera inspection, appliance spillage testing and flue smoke-integrity testing explained clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common customer questions.
Troubleshooting Guide
Common stove and flue problems, causes and next steps.
Customer Reviews
Verified feedback shown in your supplied review material.
Free Colouring Pages
Download and print four free children’s colouring pages from Sweep.
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Firebrick Replacement
Cracks, damage, replacement signs and safe stove-use guidance.
Down-Draught Causes
Wind, roof height, local terrain, warning signs and practical next steps.
Stove maintenance
Firebrick replacement
Firebricks line the inside of a stove and protect its metal body from intense heat. They are consumable parts, so cracking and wear can develop over time. A small hairline crack does not automatically make the stove unsafe, but the bricks should be checked regularly.
Usually suitable to monitor
- Only a small hairline crack is present.
- The brick remains firm and securely in position.
- There is no large gap or missing section.
- The brick still shields the stove body and the appliance operates normally.
Arrange inspection or replacement
- A brick is loose, broken, missing, crumbling or very thin.
- A large gap exposes the stove body.
- The stove body is distorted or cracked.
- There is smoke leakage, reduced heat output or poor performance.
Common causes
- Repeated heating and cooling.
- Impact from logs, pokers or tools.
- Damp fuel or very rapid heating from cold.
- Normal age and wear.
Help the bricks last longer
- Burn dry, well-seasoned fuel and let the stove cool naturally.
- Place logs in gently and avoid striking the bricks.
- Use the correct replacement parts specified by the stove manufacturer.
- Do not use ordinary cement or household adhesive.
Always follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions, because firebrick shapes, materials and replacement methods differ between stove models.
Flue performance
Down-draught causes
Down-draught occurs when wind pressure or turbulence pushes air back down a chimney instead of allowing combustion gases to rise safely. A termination that is too low in relation to the main roof apex can contribute to poor draught, smoke spillage and an increased risk of carbon monoxide entering the home.
Common contributing factors
- A chimney termination that is too low or badly positioned relative to the roof.
- Cliffs, elevated land or exposure on the lee side of high ground.
- Rolling hills and valley locations that create turbulent wind patterns.
- Nearby trees, tall vegetation or buildings disrupting airflow.
Warning signs
- Smoke spilling into the room.
- Difficulty lighting the fire or keeping it drawing.
- Poor burning performance.
- A smell of smoke, particularly during windy weather.
- A carbon-monoxide alarm sounding or occupants feeling unwell.
What should be checked
- The whole flue for blockage, damage, contamination and correct sizing.
- The appliance air supply and room ventilation.
- The terminal height and position against current Northern Ireland requirements.
- How the local roof shape, terrain, buildings and vegetation affect airflow.
Possible remedies after diagnosis
- Correcting or extending the terminal where appropriate.
- Using a suitable anti-down-draught terminal only after the cause is established.
- Managing nearby vegetation where this can be done safely and lawfully.
- Completing any necessary flue repairs, cleaning or ventilation work.
A cowl is not a universal cure. Persistent draught problems need a site-specific inspection so the underlying cause can be identified and the chimney remains compliant with current Northern Ireland Building Regulations.