The Epping stoves firebricks need replacing, I had done a temporary bodge repair over the last two winters by cementing the cracks. It's a job I have been meaning to do for a while, I purchased the new firebricks in 2018.
On this type of stove, the stovetop has to be removed, to get the top off the flue has to come out, to get the flue out the roof collar had to be removed.
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| Collar removed |
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| To get to the collar nuts I cut two extra holes to get a tool on. |
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| Smokebox. |
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| Stove top |
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| The strap stops the sides springing with the top removed |
After giving the inside a good clean, it was obvious that the unit needed to be completely stripped down to reseal the oven and firebox, renew the insulation and repair a small crack to the smokebox.
So we took the decision to take it to a restorer in Bristol, where they will blast clean it using the latest Wheelabrator technology, fix any damage, treat internal surfaces with several coats of VHT paint, and black lead the exterior. They promise me the stove will come back looking like new, I have seen their work before and I am looking forward to its return in September.
