Bonnie

Thanks for all your replies. I'm sure it is mud as it is gritty and has collected in the "brush" that I use and doesn't smell. My fosse is buried in the front lawn about 15 metres away.   It was uncovered for 3 months over the Xmas/NY period about 3 years ago and was not at all pleasant - useless local plumbers!  But he did use something like a pick axe and it flowed so wonderfully.   The 2 holes were eventually covered and earth replaced along with grass seed. This was the first time the fosse had been emptied in 40 or so years - I bought the property 15 years ago. Not residue from Eparcyl either. I'll just have to keep an eye on it.

Not a lot of rain but it's been extremely damp everywhere after heavy mists for the last week.

Hi Patf, Thanks for the quick reply.   The water is clean in the cistern which is why I think it's coming in from below.

My loo is flushing well but the water is dark.   I took out the bloc hanging over the edge to stop the frothy water and there seems to be a layer of mud on the bottom. I've had a lot of problems before with my fosse - is this a sign that it's about to back up?

Hi Mint, Couldn't be more stressed as also have other problems like Saur saying that I've "lost" 2 swimming pools of water.............. I mentioned joss sticks for the smell rather than the smoke as I've had lots of smokey fires but have not noticed it in the house.   I thought that smell would be a better guide.

Oh - I'm still trying to find some jossticks but may have to buy some.   Otherwise, nothing happening at the moment.

Hi Theiere, This is very interesting.   I'm with Macif so I suppose I, and many others, could do the same?  I'm a pensioner so getting it done twice a year is something I am avoiding as I believe I am paying Paris prices - €64 (didn't go up last year).

Idun, I cannot understand why Invicta aren't being more helpful!   If I am complaining about possible toxic fumes and obvious dirt coming in, then they should be here taking it apart now, before I even start a fire this year.   If it costs me money, then I will have no choice - as you say. BritinBretagne, I've had plenty of smoky fires but have never noticed it in the room.   I'm wondering if I could use a jostick and try to smell it - I can turn on the fans manually to simulate a real fire.   Now......, where did I put them?    I've already taken the precaution of buying CO alarms. Woolybanana, I have the chimney swept every year but I have this problem consistently.   I think the sweep would have removed any nest or other obstruction. Theire, Now, that would be helpful.   I'm now due for the sweep to come so I'll see if I can explain all this to him - in the absence of any further help from Invicta.   Incidentally, I didn't hear again from Priscillia who was supposed to be liaising for me.   Also Theire, how do you get insurance cover if you sweep yourself?

Woolybanana, I totally agree with you.   If the vents are taped over then the smoke will just find another way out and could be worse. I can see the SS tube proud of the chimney.   If I could post photos then a lot will become clear. I have absolutely no idea if it's all connected properly and this cannot be known unless it is all taken apart - something Invicta seems reluctant to do.   I've just removed one of the vents and taken a photo.   There is definitely piping joined to the vents - all very dirty.

I copied and pasted a number of photos but they are not showing. Please Administrator, can you give me permission to post these as it would make everything much clearer.

I had a RDV for yesterday morning but things happened rather quickly last Monday.  The rep phoned and said he'd be here in 30 mins. Again, lots of sketches on how it was built in, then he asked to trace the chimney breast up thru' the roof space.   I took him up but then hit my head, fell and thumped my back!   I was fine for a while and we agreed to meet back at his shop the next morning with someone who could explain more fully in English what he thought.   Unfortunately, my condition worsened and I couldn't get there. However, by Weds, I thought I would drop into his shop and make another RDV.   He's usually out on the road so I was surprised to see him there. He took me into the back of his shop and showed me some insulation.   This was his answer........... simply to block up the side vents!!!    I was astounded at this suggestion as in the winter, these extra vents chuck out a lot of heat which is valuable........... but I could see his point.   This would not explain, though, why the stonework is still smoke-stained from the vent about the glass door.  I've just discovered how to post photos.......... The stonework was built around the fire.......... Present situation......... I had already cleaned last year before these photos were taken last week...........   Difficult to see the dirt runs in the second photo where I had tried to wash the wall.  Didn't realise how greasy smoke is but washing up detergent didn't help.   If it's too strong, rinsing takes forever.         In the meantime, I wrote to Invicta UK and asked them to help me liaise.  Someone called Pricillia responded so I explained the situation and copied the above photos.   I have not heard back from her. So, blocking up the vents may be one answer (which I don't want to do) but this doesn't explain the extra staining above the fire - I think the rep doesn't want to have to dismantle but there must be a way of testing for toxic fumes - the silent killer? As usual, comments would be very much appreciated.   Photos do help!

Thanks all. Hi Woolybanana,  I believe it is stainless steel............

Yes, Suein56,   I'm hoping I can deal with the guy.   I'll report again next Thurs.

Now have an appt for 8.30 next Thursday  - an Invicta man.

Hello Mint,   I dislike the guy intensely!!  There's a bit above the inside of the fire like false ceiling - is this called a baffle plate?   This freely comes out as it collects soot from the liner further up.  It was fitted back to front and during my first fire, it came crashing down!!   I took photos, went to the company and demanded action.   They were around the next day and immediately knew what had happened.   As I had not paid the full amount, I wanted to wait another week and therefore another 7 fires to see that it was working correctly but this guy just blew up at my suggestion.   His face turned a funny kind of purple, swelled up enormously and he started spitting in my face!   His side kick took a back step and also looked astounded at his boss' temper. I had no alternative but to pay the cheque.   So you see, I really do not want to go back there - with any luck he may have passed the business over to his son in the interim.............   However, it's their fire and their fitting so it should really be my first choice.

Unfortunately, the Mairie wasn't much help.   She suggested I go back to the original company who fitted it but they are hardly likely to admit that it was fitted incorrectly, are they?   I've had this problem probably right from the start, but because I'm not decorating every year, the problem builds up and seems worse every year. She ended up giving me the name of a local company that does heating, plumbing, all sorts and told me to enquire for depannage.   This is a possibility but I'm not convinced that they are the right sort of expert I'm looking for.

Hi Mint, Yes, I think the Mairie would be the first step - I'll go up now.

I'll keep you posted but I still have no idea where to start.   The companies around here are small and basically just want to fit a new fire rather than sort out old problems. Thanks to all for your comments.

Thanks Nick.   I'm in a basic bungalow with a converted loft so I haven't your scope of problems. I think I'll be fine with just 2 at different levels. Theiere, will a pro have to take out the whole thing?   Sounds like you have experience of fixing these beasts - they are incredibly heavy!   Sweeps tend to work on their own so I can't see one man doing this job anyway (in spite of being light-headed!). I believe my wood is quite "fresh" when I buy it - he's a local chap down the road so I see his log deliveries every so often.   He has massive machinery on his site so I've seen the operation of picking up a log, placing it in a splicer and chopping it up.   It is then dropped into his open van where he measures the weight - max 5 stieres at a time.   Oh - do you mean 20% moisture when I come to burn it or when it is delivered in the Spring?   I think that wood can sometimes be too dry and therefore has little calorific value?   Your diagram is exactly like mine but without the distribution. Idun - I would actually call it a folding flap rather than a valve but it does the same thing and I know what you mean.

OK Nick - I understand what you are saying about Dahuron.  They seem to be a large company with many specialist trades.   I'm still not sure what to look for here though - heating engineers?   Woodburner specialists?   I don't think there is an equivalent down here.  I've no intention of replacing my present one but I certainly would be interested in a smoke test. Andyh4 - I can always get a second and place it higher up. Idun - thanks for your contribution.   Is the clapet lever the swivel knob I use to close the exit to the chimney above?   If so, I understand.   The chimney does have a liner.   The fire used to be open when I bought the property so everything was there before the insert was fitted.   I usually buy the wood in April, or around Easter so it has a long period of drying before my first fire which tends to be in December as I use paraffin heaters in the interim. Thanks to everyone so far - I feel I'm getting somewhere

Hello Theire, It's an Insert with 2 fans which come on automatically when the temperature gets up.  There is a booster if I want extra but it's noisy.   I don't have any filters to change.   Should there be filters in the side vents in the chimney breast?

Thanks Nick, I wanted confirmation that this is not normal before I go to any expense just to get a negative answer.   Just goes to show that the manufacturers (Invicta) and sellers (Casto) haven't got a clue. I have been using a carbon monoxide alarm for the past 2 years almost at floor level as I believe that CM is heavier than Oxygen. Now then, you suggest I get a "professional" to check it out.   Can you advise please?   I don't see any point in going to an agent like Godin, Invicta I have tried, so would it be just a heating engineer/fitter?   Can you offer a phrase I can look for please? You also mention a "smoke test"...... can the usual sweep do this?   Presumably the stove would have to be working to be tested?

He hasn't said anything - just whistles while he works!

I have an Invicta woodburner which was installed by a reputable company about 10 years ago.   Since then I've learned to live with the filth it creates as par for the course but a friend has pointed out that it should not be exuding this dirty air and that it may be fitted incorrectly.   Indeed, he is concerned that it may be chucking out poisonous fumes. I have to decorate the ceilings every year, and also the top half of my living room (down to the point where the colour matches).   There are vents on either side of the chimney breast which have soot stains. I have asked in my nearest Castorama but they said this was normal.   My friend has asked in the UK and was told that it is possible that the chimney flue is not connected to the flue or that the side vents are not properly connected. Can someone please advise if there is an independent company who can look at my installation?  I did ask an Invicta salesman to come out (last year) and he just walked up and down and drew a pretty picture, said he would send a report and didn't! I'm in the Lot et Garonne and quite close to Agen. Bonnie