Hi there,

My DIY-disaster-waiting-to-happen-boyfriend has accidentally drilled a hole right the way through & out the other side of our downstairs neighbours flue. He says he can 'tape up' the holes, but i am very worried that this will not be sufficient, can you help before I or my next door neighbours die from carbon monoxide poisoning please!

mandy, March 2009

thank you very much people :0)

mandy, March 2009

If the hole is really big yep it needs replacing. If however its the size of a match stick taping it up with Aluminum tape would be acceptable. He could even tape a small patch over it but 1 or 2 layers of Al Duct - hi temp tape should be just fine on a small hole. Anything bigger than a pencil (not the lead but the whole wooden part) in diameter would need a patch plus tape. anything bigger than a dime should be replaced.

Farley Redfield in the Great State of Confusion OKlahoma, March 2009

wouldnt risk it replace the flue. if i or any other registered engineer came the appliance would be shut down straight away till the flue was replaced.

boiler bill, March 2009

It may be easier for all if you have the b/f tape up the holes as he plans - would be difficult to mess that up - and as a safety measure buy your neighbour a carbon monoxide detector - but don't let the b/f fit it.

This will save...
Money for you - will not have to pay for fitting new flue
Trouble for your neighbour - will not have disturbance while new flue fitted
Your neighbours' lives - if the alarm goes off

Peccavi, March 2009