Chimneys are an important part of the house, and could even be thought of as living things. They require maintenance and constant aeration to remain healthy and operate properly. The process of cleaning, capping or blocking a chimney is straight forward enough, however, if carried out incorrectly can have major consequences.
Luckily, there are professionals who can handle those jobs. The issue is finding the best company in terms of quality, efficiency and overall safety.
The majority of homeowners know very little about chimneys and fireplaces and under estimate the extent of the work to be done. It is important to look for a company that is trustworthy enough to deliver quality and who are informative about the proposed work plan and quote the right price for the right job, rather than just pick the cheapest company who promise much but deliver little, as you will only regret it at a later date.
A simple Google search for how to clean or close off a chimney will bring thousands of possibilities.
Here are some tips on how to find the most appropriate chimney sweep company.
Understand the house and chimney
To understand how to close off a chimney, it is important for the homeowner to understand the nature of their chimney and how it works. Not all chimneys are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for all chimneys.
House chimneys also vary depending on the age of the house and its construction. Be wary of companies that claim to carry the necessary equipment on their trucks without necessarily knowing what is required. Some homes have just the one chimney which makes the job easier. However, other homes may have four chimney pots or more serving different rooms in the house. It is also important to determine which ones are to remain active and which are to be unused.
Choosing a chimney sweep company
When choosing a chimney sweeping company, the first step is to determine the companies credentials. It should be registered with an organisation such as the Guild Of Master Sweeps and other Trade bodies such as HETAS & GASAFE and should have good, genuine and verified feedback on sites like Checkatrade. Professional companies use a wide range of comprehensive equipment and have a wealth of experience that is guaranteed to deliver a quality job and be value for money.
They should also issue certificates once they finish the chimney sweeping job, thus, providing recommendations for any future works required. The Guild as an organisation promotes the the highest standards in terms of sweeping, maintenance and inspection and ensure that the customer receives an Industry Standard Certificate suitable for Insurance purposes.
Before deciding on a company, ask for references from their past clients or find their feedback online. Ask them for names and numbers of past customers in the locality, especially those with houses of the same kind, in terms of chimney types, age of the house and the type of repair or maintenance works carried out on their chimney. Do not consider any company that does not provide references or has feedback that look suspicious.
Insurance is also important when considering a company. Ask them whether or not they have adequate insurance cover against any mishaps that may happen during their works. Find out what their policy covers, and what the policy does not cover. While accidents are not to be anticipated, it is important to know that in case of any accidents or injuries without the company having its own insurance in place that the liability falls on the homeowner.
Beware of cold selling when choosing a company. Beware especially of those companies that have representatives walking from door to door, or doing telephone marketing that offer extremely low prices in a bid to attract the attention of the customer. In many cases, these people are paid on how many leads they make or calls they place. They might not necessarily have the best interests of the client at heart.
The quality of service also matters. The timeliness of the service should especially be an important factor. When considering how to close off a chimney, or sweep a chimney remember any job done has potential to impact on the integrity of the property. One must not take chances with just any contractor.
What To Do Next
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We’ll look forward to hearing from you!
