My neighbors wood stove keeps leaving soot in MY house, it’s driving me crazy

A HOMEOWNER has revealed her neighbor is “going crazy” thanks to a device that spreads dirt into HER home.

The fed-up woman revealed she no longer even had to keep her windows open thanks to her neighbour’s wood-burning stove.

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Posting on social media, she asked: “If your neighbor uses a wood stove in their house and you are not attached to their house, should your house fill with light smoke and smell?”

She added: “I love wood burning stoves but I now have to close my windows and it’s still coming through the bathroom vent. It’s starting to drive me crazy.

“I clean the soot off my pictures, etc. I have to do some decorating every year to keep the place smelling fresh.

“They fitted them and I mean two, and have now bought another house next door and fitted another.”

And people immediately agree that something doesn’t smell right about the whole wood stove situation.

“I had the same problem with the neighbour’s wood burner but I know it was burning old pallets. The smell is awful,” said one.

A second person said: “What are they burning in it? If they are just installed, they don’t need to be wiped yet, but that doesn’t sound good.

“My parents have the same problem: even with the right chimney, the neighbor’s burner, which is on all day, means they can’t hang their laundry outside or open their windows to the smell.”

A third added: “The flue should be high enough not to obstruct anyone (such as an open fire chimney). Check the regulations for your area and take photos if possible.”

A fourth suggested: “Maybe an old one that doesn’t meet current regulations?”

Meanwhile, a fifth echoed: “My partner is a chimney sweep. No, this shouldn’t happen. Talk to your neighbor and it’s best to have someone come out and clean and inspect the chimney.”

The woman later revealed that she got along “pretty well” with her neighbors, but became concerned with environmental health.

It comes as homeowners have been warned they could be fined £300 if they use the devices to heat their homes more cheaply in winter.

With energy prices rising and the cost of living rising, it’s no wonder that a nice fire is becoming more attractive than ever.

And it means many have turned to wood-burning stoves to stay warm and cozy during winter nights, because it’s cheaper than buying electric heaters.

But experts warn homeowners could face hefty fines and even a criminal record for lighting wood-burning stoves.

Professionals at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have reminded people that clean air rules must be followed if they plan to use their wood-burning stoves.

If they are not properly adhered to, households could be hit with a £300 fine and a criminal conviction.

John Cutts, expert at MeandMyGlass.co.uk said: “With the cold weather fast approaching, many of us are likely to want to get warm and cozy by lighting wood-burning stoves at home.

“But many wood stove owners are unaware of the recent implications of clean air regulations.

‘If they are not followed correctly, thousands of Britons could face hefty fines and even a criminal conviction.

“The regulations state that owners face fines for using wood-burning stoves that do not meet British emissions standards.

“People need to be aware not only of the type of wood-burning stove they use, but also of the material it burns.

“Using the wrong wood stove and materials will result in a hefty fine.

“The regulations encourage owners to switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives, so we strongly advise all wood stove owners to be careful with the materials they use on the stove.

“It is therefore important to ensure that the materials used comply with the guidelines and that stoves with glass doors are still fit to function without cracks that could lead to fumes escaping from the burner.”

The UK government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 introduced stricter rules for wood burners when used in designated ‘smoke control areas’.

This includes most towns and cities in the UK and they are only allowed to emit three grams of smoke per hour.

This is down from the previous five grams per hour, in an effort to reduce air pollution.