Forum Topic

Log Burners and severe headaches

I am asking for a friend in the country who has a wood burner stove. It's is in a central position of the home and heats the core of the house.  However, over the past months he has experienced really bad acute headaches and now dare not light this fire at all.   The whole family is freeing to death.   Central heating boiler just for water and rads., designed for background heat.   I don't think wood burners are allowed now in W4 but many people did have them so may be able to advise.   My immediate suggestion would be get the services of a chimney sweep!   Any other suggestions please.

Jennifer Selig ● 2086d13 Comments

I'd check for Carbon Monoxide poisoning. I wouldn't light it until I was certain it was safe.

Carl Wynne ● 2086d

Yes, get it checked! Carbon monoxide is a hidden killer.

Russell Pearson ● 2086d

When a new wood burner is installed you are required to have a carbon monoxide alarm such as a Honeywell XC70 fitted. It would be wise if they acquired and fitted one.

Richard Greenhough ● 2086d

Yes definitely check for carbon monoxide, it causes headaches. They could use a simple freestanding detector such as:-https://www.toolstation.com/fireangel-digital-7-year-life-carbon-monoxide-alarm/p66368

Michael David Rowe ● 2086d

I would definitely get the chimney swept and check the efficiency of the flue, as well as a cm detector.

Keith Iddon ● 2086d

Almost definitely carbon monoxide poisoning.A carbon monoxide monitor should be essential safety kit for any sort of live flame heater/boiler. We have the FireAngel one in the kitchen next to the gas boiler and another above the fireplace where we have a real fire.

Gail Busza ● 2086d

Absolutely get it checked. We had friends whose house nearly burned down through a log burner fault. Could be chimney, flue or the burner itself. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes headaches and worse.

Alina Dansord ● 2086d

Log burners need good and permanent ventilation which might not be the case if everything has been tightly closed during this cold weather.

Peter Evans ● 2086d

Most grateful everyone and many thanks,  have passed the jnfo onto my friends.  Steps being taken to immediately check out CM poisoned gas emissions, get everything checked - meanwhile gather everyone wearing double thermals, fleeces and bed socks over normal socks!

Jennifer Selig ● 2086d

It may also be worth checking with either the  wood burner manufacturer or whoever carried out the installation.  Very important to have a Carbon monoxide alarm.

Janice White ● 2086d

I got a free standing detector at Waitrose. Very important, tell your friend to get on urgently! So easy put batteries in and stand near the wood burner.

Nicholas Beard ● 2086d

There was an article in the Guardian early in January concerning the dangers of wood burning stoves used in confined spaces which may be of interest.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2086d

It turns out that my pal with the log burner has an allergy to the very fine particulates called PM2.5 (basically wood smoke) which inevitably comes into the room a bit when you open the door of the a log burning stove. So we no longer use it he says.  The chimney is swept yearly, house is modern construction, top quality build too with a smoothly lined flue/chimney.  Headaches being carefully monitored by GP and soon a consultant.  Meanwhile anyone with a wood burner suffering from allergic reactions to these particulates PM2.5 in wood smoke?  Since heard a big problem in Canada and a UK University, Swanage?Swansea? not sure S'mpton? has published an extensive paper on this subject.

Jennifer Selig ● 2085d