– It is only through looking after your chimney that you can rest assured that you are as safe as you can be and that the chimney will last for many years to come. One important step to help keep your chimney in good shape is to have it swept or cleaned. There are several merits that will come from this cleaning.
Reasons to have your chimney swept
– The first and perhaps most important reason is to safeguard your property and the health of your family. Blocked and partially blocked chimneys will lead to combustion gasses leaking into the property, these combustion gasses contain Carbon Monoxide (Co) this can be deadly if enough is present. The fumes from gas, oil and solid fuel fires has to escape safely up and out of the chimney for you to remain safe.
– Having your chimney swept will help prevent chimney fires. Clogged and dirty chimneys are a catalyst for fires. Such a fire can destroy your chimney and even worse, your home. Even though it is rare for a house to be destroyed in this way, it has happened. Having your chimney swept can make all the difference.
– Another good reason to have your chimney swept is to avoid smoke damage. If a flue is not working correctly because it is partially blocked or the build up of soot and or tar has reduced the flue size, smoke can spill out from the fireplace, sometimes in such small amounts that it cant even be detected. But, this smoke contains soot and it is this soot which can stain the decorations on the walls and ceilings, this can be avoided by keeping the chimney clean.
Can you clean your own chimney?
The practical answer to this question is no. Many people have tried and we have often been called upon to retrieve rods and brushes stuck up a chimney after a DIY attempt at sweeping it. But remember, you do not have the training or expertise to undertake a such a job, nor the Personal Protective Equipment to avoid breathing in the soot (which can be bad for you health). In addition, it is likely that you will be using the wrong equipment necessary to correctly clean the chimney.
Buying the correct equipment will cost much more than it will cost to employ an expert chimney sweep.
Finally, you want your chimney to be cleaned professionally so that you can guarantee quality. We provide Industry Standard Certificates of chimney sweeping which are accepted as evidence by all major Insurance companies, in fact some Insurance companies will insist on seeing such a Certificate, should any claim be made on the chimney. Therefore it is always best to hire the experts and leave it to a trained professional.
What is the cost of a professional chimney sweep?
The cost will depend on a variety of things, including your location in the UK and also the number of chimneys you want cleaned and how tall the flues are. But it is always money well spent – this service will take the stress away as you rely on a trained professional to deliver on the job. Chimney sweeping professionals come with their own equipment and uphold safety standards and Codes of Practice, they should also be fully insured.
How often does my chimney need sweeping?
The more you burn fires, the more you might need to have the chimney cleaned. It is recommended by the Solid Fuel Association that chimneys serving coal fires (house coal) are swept at least twice a year, that smokeless fuel fires be swept at least once a year and that gas and oil fires are swept once a year. Finally, fires burning wood should have their chimneys swept every three months when in use.
However, having it swept right before the “burning season” as well as at the end of the season will be a very good start, from that the chimney sweep should be able to suggest a cleaning schedule fitting your fires use. But, the rule of thumb is – the more you use your fireplace, the more often the chimney will need cleaning.
A professional service will – importantly – also advise you when your chimney is in need of vital repairs. In this light, a professional inspection while cleaning is what is needed. Remember, the benefits of sweeping the chimney cannot be ignored. This way, you and your family can enjoy your fire knowing that you live in a safer home.
What To Do Next
Give us a ring on 07353 959162 and we’ll be happy have a friendly, no-obligation chat about your individual situation and advise you on what to do next. Alternatively just take 30 seconds to fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you by return.
We’ll look forward to hearing from you!
Please contact us if you’d like to discuss sorting out any of chimney related problems. We can arrange for Chimney Pots, Cowls And Birdguards, Complete Chimney Safety Inspections and of course Chimney Sweeping.
