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Frequently Asked Questions

How to prepare for your chimney sweep

 

Please follow steps below:

  1. Do not use your stove for 24 hours before your appointment. 

  2. Remove all items from around your hearth.

  3. Remove any unburnt fuel.

  4. Cover or remove any light furnishings or anything of value for your peace of mind.

  5. We will always lay dust sheets to protect your floors and carpets. We will not be offended if you wish to put some down as well.

  6. We carry disposable shoe covers and use when required.

Why do I need my chimney swept?

There are 3 basic reasons why you should get your chimney swept:

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1. To protect your health
Breathing in the fumes from gas or solid fuel fires can cause serious damage to your health and in the worse cases prove fatal. Having your chimney swept will make sure that the flue is sufficiently clear to allow the fumes to escape safely out of the chimney.

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2. To avoid a chimney fire
Having your chimney swept regularly will drastically reduce the chances of having a chimney fire. Chimney fires can cause property damage – the least usually being a cracked or broken chimney pot, which will need to be replaced and the worst being you could lose your home! Fortunately, the more extreme outcome does not happen very often, but it does happen.

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3. To avoid smoke damage
Each time the fire is used, soot will accumulate up the chimney. Gradually, this will decrease the size of the flue which, in turn, will lower the draw of the smoke upwards. If the chimney does not have enough pull, the smoke will enter into your room, not only causing irritation to you, but can also blacken your fireplace or the decorating above.

How often do I need my chimney swept?

This depends on how often you use your fire and what you burn. A general guideline is: For occasional evening and weekend use, once a year is enough. For more frequent use, especially if you burn a lot of wood, you should have your chimney swept once before you start having fires, usually in the autumn and then once again half way through the burning season, about January.

Does it matter what I use for fuel?

If you live in a smokeless zone then you will be restricted to burning smokeless fuels. To check if you live in such an area, you can phone your local authority and ask them.

 

 

If, like most people, you do not live in a smokeless zone then it is up to you what you burn. House coal produces very good heat. Wood also is very good. It is a matter of preference.  With wood though, there comes a caution.

 

Wood must be well seasoned before it is used in a fire.


This means that all the sap and moisture should be removed from it. This is accomplished by covering the logs, leaving some ventilation for air, for at least a year from when the tree was cut down. If you use logs that are not seasoned, they will not burn well on the fire.

 

 

This means they will give very little heat out but, more importantly, they will cause a build up of creosote. Most of the creosote cannot be removed by sweeping because it bakes onto the chimney walls. As the layer of creosote increases, so does your chance of a chimney fire.

Why does my chimney smoke?

There are different reasons why your chimney may smoke. Below is a list of the major causes. It may be that only one, or a combination of any of them could cause the smoke to blow back into your room.

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Blocked chimney

Solution – Having the chimney swept will either correct the problem or highlight where and what the blockage could be. The chimney sweep can then advise on what work will then be necessary.

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Cold air up the chimney

Solution – If a fire hasn’t been lit for a while, the air up the chimney can get cold. Cold air is heavy and if the flue isn’t heated quickly enough, the cold air will force the smoke back into the room. Initially, just burn newspaper as this will create a lot of heat quickly and will move the air upwards.

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Downdraught

Solution – Downdraught is a brief flow of air down the chimney resulting in puffs of smoke being pushed back into the room. One reason for downdraught is that the chimney stack has been built too short and another could be trees, buildings or other large high objects interfering with the wind flow. To help with this problem, a cowl can be fitted on to the pot. It is advisable to ask your chimney sweep which type of cowl to use as there are many different designs suited for different problems. If the incorrect cowl is fitted, it may make the problem worse.

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Inadequate ventilation

Solution – All fires need air to make them burn properly. A lot of properties are very well insulated with double glazing etc. thus not allowing a flow of replacement air into the room. This can be solved by fitting air vents or simply leaving the door to the room open.

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The wrong type of cowl fitted on top of the pot

Solution – Many people are ill-advised as to the correct type of cowl to fit. Fitting the wrong type can either cause the problem or make it worse. Consult your chimney sweep as to whether you have the right cowl fitted.

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The wrong sized fireplace

Solution – In the UK, the average sized fireplace opening is about 18″ wide and 24″ high. If it exceeds this by a large amount, some of the smoke may curl out into the room. Try either lifting the grate up or lowering the height.

How can I stop birds nesting in the chimney?

Birds nesting, especially Jackdaws, can be a problem. More so the nearer you get to the countryside. There are companies who make purpose built bird guards. These should always be used in preference to putting chicken wire on the pot. Proper bird guards are strong enough to withstand any efforts from the birds to pull them off. They do not reduce the size of your chimney pot in any way (which is important for the draw of your chimney) and they also allow for the sweep’s brush to come completely out of it, ensuring a more thorough clean.

I have a gas fire, do I still need the chimney swept?

You should have your gas appliances checked and serviced regularly by a Corgi registered engineer. This should be done yearly or more often if a problem occurs. (See important advise on Carbon Monoxide). At the time of the service, the engineer will check the draw of the chimney and, if there is a problem, sweeping the chimney will almost certainly be necessary.

Why do I have bits falling down the chimney?

Even after the chimney has been swept thoroughly, it is normal to have a small amount of bits falling. This could include soot, sand or bits of cement. This problem can increase with the age of the chimney because the sand-based render will loosen off over the years. Generally, this is not a problem but is just something that occurs with older chimneys. Another reason can be that the wind and the rain dislodge bits which can fall down into the grate or appliance. This can be lessened by fitting the correct type of cowl.

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(Ask your chimney sweep for advice).

Can the chimney be cleaned properly with just a vacuum?

No, a vacuum is used to catch the soot and dust before it enters the room and also for cleaning off the ledge after sweeping the chimney. Using a good quality chimney sweeping brush or a combination of brushes is the only method, at the moment, which will clean the chimney properly.

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