Neighbor issues

now i am not sure if they subcontract, but i would do this......i would contact geico and see if they would let you borrow those woodchucks. let them at your woodpile until his yard is half full of splits and them tell you have no wood left to burn and you wondering why he is stealing your wood.......

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DjGwusHrOtk/hqdefault.jpg

It's tough. My neighbor burns all the time and sometimes coal. Because his house is lower than mine, and due to prevailing winds, his smoke comes right to my house. I can't open a window in the bedroom as I would like. He doesn't do it to be vindictive but I don't think it's healthy for me. I try to be a good neighbor and I think he does too but I can't say that there haven't been times when I have found the smoke annoying. I want to be conscious too of my smoke and how it may affect others. With neighbors, being respectful is always the best way to go even
when we don't agree. Offer tips on caulking and insulation. You'll still do what you need to do.

Tell him he must be smelling Lederle.

Be polite. I have had a neighbor issue for almost 2 years now. Used to be pretty close, hanging out, kids played etc. but they complained to my village about the amount of wood on my property. Long story short, we aren't friends anymore and I have to be careful about the amount of wood I keep on my property. It sucks having bad neighbors.

Also the neighbor on the other side of me, has an old 70's stove that is extremely poorly drafting. I tell him that on a regular basis. He doesn't want to do anything about it due to cost(although is put in a 50k kitchen) Frustrates me the amount of smoke and pollution that he is putting up in the air.

I doubt giving your neighbor the cold shoulder will help. Depending on how psychotic the guy is; the problem could escalate to verbal shouting, police intervention, petitioning the city counsel for an ordinance on 24/7 burning, banging on your door at 2AM or it could get physical... all because he (your neighbor) can smell smoke.

Your best bet is to make yourself look like a down to earth, rational guy.

I would really consider taking the guy out for a beer. If you know what he likes to drink, buy him a six pack and a beer sausage/cheese basket for Christmas. Kill him with kindness. If he still wants to argue with you, and you've atleast tried to work things out; then ignore him.

If the situation is ever escalated, and the police/court system gets involved, you'll be perceived as the good guy. But you have to try to work things out first, be polite, but firm; stand your ground.

Years ago when we moved in my drafty old house, it was in late August. Fast forward to late October or November and I'm setting in the living room and smell smoke! I think - good grief, my house is on fire! Looked and looked around for the smoke inside thinking it might be an electrical fire smoldering and then went outside for a look-see. My house was covered in a cloud of smoke from my neighbor's chimney! No question he burns a smoke dragon!

When I installed my stove this fall, I was a bit concerned about the house beside me (different neighbor) in that it may be as drafty as mine. I bought my stove in the Spring with the install for this Fall. I wondered if the guys next door would object to any smoke. Well, late summer, the neighbor bought one of those little outdoor fire pits from Walmart and I offered him some wood to burn in it. Smoke found it's way over my property line and around my house - no big deal. I figure if he complains, I can point to his fire pit. Just to make sure he is cool with burning wood, we are going to cut him a jag of wood for Christmas to burn this summer.

All of the above is funny, but be careful not to burn a bridge with a neighbor - unless you or him are going to move. As far as smoke goes, I think the difference between a car's exhaust (which everyone breathes daily) and wood is visual and smell. Either is smoke.

Good luck,
Bill

Years ago when we moved in my drafty old house, it was in late August. Fast forward to late October or November and I'm setting in the living room and smell smoke! I think - good grief, my house is on fire! Looked and looked around for the smoke inside thinking it might be an electrical fire smoldering and then went outside for a look-see. My house was covered in a cloud of smoke from my neighbor's chimney! No question he burns a smoke dragon!

When I installed my stove this fall, I was a bit concerned about the house beside me (different neighbor) in that it may be as drafty as mine. I bought my stove in the Spring with the install for this Fall. I wondered if the guys next door would object to any smoke. Well, late summer, the neighbor bought one of those little outdoor fire pits from Walmart and I offered him some wood to burn in it. Smoke found it's way over my property line and around my house - no big deal. I figure if he complains, I can point to his fire pit. Just to make sure he is cool with burning wood, we are going to cut him a jag of wood for Christmas to burn this summer.

All of the above is funny, but be careful not to burn a bridge with a neighbor - unless you or him are going to move. As far as smoke goes, I think the difference between a car's exhaust (which everyone breathes daily) and wood is visual and smell. Either is smoke.

Good luck,
Bill

joshlaugh said:

Be polite. I have had a neighbor issue for almost 2 years now. Used to be pretty close, hanging out, kids played etc. but they complained to my village about the amount of wood on my property. Long story short, we aren't friends anymore and I have to be careful about the amount of wood I keep on my property. It sucks having bad neighbors.

Also the neighbor on the other side of me, has an old 70's stove that is extremely poorly drafting. I tell him that on a regular basis. He doesn't want to do anything about it due to cost(although is put in a 50k kitchen) Frustrates me the amount of smoke and pollution that he is putting up in the air.

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Agreed. Tolerance is underrated, and cuts all ways.

I guess I'd start conversation over conflicts--in either direction--by saying that being neighborly, considerate and tolerant is very important to me, and even if all parties don't get exactly what they want I hope that we can remain friendly, good-willed, helpful and communicative. Part of the issue is that people want to feel heard and respected, regardless of the outcome.

Some folks will reciprocate, some not, but at the end of the day you can look yourself in the mirror and feel good that you've taken the high road.

Honestly, he probably wouldn't be complaining if it didn't really bother him. Just start burning your garbage, that should mask the smell of the woodsmoke.

Our BAD neighbor complained to city about the fact that we fed birds and the birds may get sick while eating on areas near where they did there business. The city said it was a non- issue since we could not put diapers on the birds. He was not complaining about the birds or deer. Deer did not even come to our feeders.

On the subject of chimeys he had a woodburner stove that he burned green and wet wood in. The smoke was so thick at times we could not see our trees 60 ft away. He always seemed to start the fires when I was outside. He knew I was bothered by thick smoke from these types of fires,or even just cigarette smoke since I would usually end up on the ground crawling amongst the bird poo. I guess he did not care about my health since I saw him in window several times watching me lay on ground. City could not do anything about fires inside the house.

I showed him the next year with the use of emulsified fish fertilizer sprayed full strength on my trees and plants during parties at his house and of course proper wind direction. I was gagging during the spraying routine. Several applications later we leave each other alone. Also the fact he burned his chimney down in a chimney fire 2 years ago. He works for a fire extinguisher co. so he should have known better, but several fire engines were at his house.

How does your neighbor smell the smoke through his closed windows?

tickbitty said:

Tell him he must be smelling Lederle.

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I think they used to burn the monkey and chimps that they did the experiments on over there! The biggest problem with lederle (whiich is pfizer, formerly wyeth) isthat they are closing and they payed a lions sharee of the school taxes around here, maybe the smell wasn't so bad???

Research has shown when confronted with facts, most people ignore them and strengthen their original misguided opinion...so using facts are probably out.

I would probably tell him..."OK, I'll quit burning for a few days and see if it goes away." But keep on burning. After a few days ask him if it got better. Similar to a news article I read where a company was facing lawsuits over a cell phone tower. The locals were claiming all manner of head aches, trouble sleeping, nausea, sickness, etc. Educating them with facts about the tiny amount of energy actually coming from the tower did no good. Finally, in court, the company revealed the tower hadn't even been turned on yet.

Been coming to the forum for a few years now and have read quite a few of these "neighbours" threads. They all seem to be the same, telling you how to deal with the neighbour, what to say etc, and being very defensive about wood burning in general but the crux of the issue is, is there smoke coming out of your chimney, and can you smell wood when you go outside? If there is no smoke and no smell you can just say to the neighbour that you are not currently using the stove so he needs to look elsewhere to solve his problem, whereas if there is smoke the neighbour has a point and you need to learn to burn properly.

~*~Kathleen~*~ said:

Nice kingbird pixelmountain.

To the OP
He sounds like someone who just wants to complain and control what is not his to control. I would not even enter a dialogue with him about this.

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+1
If he smells smoke inside his house he should either close his windows or tighten up the envelope.

bokehman said:

Been coming to the forum for a few years now and have read quite a few of these "neighbours" threads. They all seem to be the same, telling you how to deal with the neighbour, what to say etc, and being very defensive about wood burning in general but the crux of the issue is, is there smoke coming out of your chimney, and can you smell wood when you go outside? If there is no smoke and no smell you can just say to the neighbour that you are not currently using the stove so he needs to look elsewhere to solve his problem, whereas if there is smoke the neighbour has a point and you need to learn to burn properly.

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+1

ah, what happened to the good old days when neighbors proved who was right by throwing punches and kicking each other in the shins (would still work in my neighborhood, cuz I'm pretty sure I can take most of my neighbors).......all joking aside...this is such a weird scenario, and its so common. Its not as if people are intentionally try to smoke their neighbors out (unless you are, of course), but I could never see myself walking to my neighbors house and saying something like "hey buddy, your smoke is too smokey and mother nature is blowin it right into my nose...cut it out". People like that need hobbies.....or at least a hint of decency regarding what is and is not suitable to complain about. Next thing you know your mailbox is too tall and blocking his view, or the glare from the morning sun bounces right off your doorknob and right into his binoculars when he's peeping in your windows. Put a "No Soliciting" sign on your door....point to it the next time he approaches.

Too bad you cannot just blame it on the Coal Plant anymore...used to work down there.

He might have an entry point, like a fireplace that is letting cold air in from the chimney and bringing some smoke with it. Engage him with concern and facts.

Oops, double post. Sorry!

I tolerate the obnoxious sound of lawn mowers first thing on a Saturday morning. No sense in getting worked up or in complaining. Live and let live.

bokehman said:

Been coming to the forum for a few years now and have read quite a few of these "neighbours" threads. They all seem to be the same, telling you how to deal with the neighbour, what to say etc, and being very defensive about wood burning in general but the crux of the issue is, is there smoke coming out of your chimney, and can you smell wood when you go outside? If there is no smoke and no smell you can just say to the neighbour that you are not currently using the stove so he needs to look elsewhere to solve his problem, whereas if there is smoke the neighbour has a point and you need to learn to burn properly.

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Agreed, though I would not lie about burning.

Being neighborly involves both tolerance *and* consideration, and cuts both ways. IMO, if your chimney is drifting smoke into our neighbor's yard and your neighbor complains, your neighborly (if not legal) obligation is to improve your burning practices and/or stove until you're burning clean and clear. Then you have done your part. If there is no visible smoke and the neighbor complains, I consider that their problem, though I'd still want to be polite and tolerant.

Fair's fair, and we have an obligation to fellow woodburners to not annoy the populace and create ill-will for all of us. That's part of being neighborly to fellow burners.

There's a pig farm about 1/4 mile from me and, on the rare days we get an East wind, it reeks. I don't like it, but tolerate it because I consider it fair.

Yes, live and let live.

u should go over with your splittin maul and teach them a lesson... :>

on how to split wood of course.

RonB said:

To the OP
He sounds like someone who just wants to complain and control what is not his to control. I would not even enter a dialogue with him about this.

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I think Kathleen nailed it. He can't be much of a "good" neighbor if he is whining about what should be an insignificant amount of occasional smoke. Cool off your relationship with him and/or ignore him. Like I said, he doesn't sound like a good neighbor. The fact that this is getting to you shows me you are conscientious and therefore must be burning correctly.[/quote]

I'd tread lightly and look for a bit of common ground with your neighbor.

The trend is to see wood smoke as a public health nuissance - ie. impairing another's enjoyment of their land by your use of your own. They've started with outdoor boilers here in CT and I expect to see increased regulation of stoves in future years. The only real question is will the stove manufacturers be able to stay ahead of the regulation.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/TOB/S/2010SB-00126-R00-SB.htm

Pissing off the neighbors because you're a self-described conscientious burner won't mean a thing when somebody blames their kid's asthma on your stove.

I'd be careful, particularly in the 'burbs.

For what it's worth, I agree with CT's legislation. It simply doesn't make sense for the whole state to pay through the nose to take our six coal plants off the grid and allow a minority of people who burn wood to offset the air quality gains with wood smoke.

I understand opinions vary...