Two questions I get asked frequently.
Why should I get my chimney sweep to visit?
You need to get your chimney swept to protect your home and family. Chimneys are not as commonly used now as in times gone by but still many properties use chimneys for their gas, oil, wood and smokeless coal appliances to function. Some are for essential heating and some are a home feature - you can't beat a wood stove for creating a warm inviting atmosphere. However, if they are not used or maintained correctly, these appliances can cause probelms with the chimney.
For example if you burn wet wood or if you burn the wood too slowly then the smoke will not be of a sufficiently high temperature to evacuate the chimney and it will condense into flammable liquid creosote which can cause all sorts of problems such as a blocked chimney or even worse a chimney fire. Below is a picture of wood creosote build up in a chimney
A chimney sweep visit is not to just clean the chimney though. While on site we will assess the condition of the outside chimney, check the appliance is safe and fit for purpose, ensure you know the best safe use and function of the appliance and advise of any things you can change to have a safe working fire and chimney. We can also offer a survey service to inspect the outside and roof with a drone, or the inside with a camera.
When should I get my chimney sweep to visit?
If we have not been to you before then the answer is now!
I tend to only remeber to get my gas boiler serviced again when I want to use it as the nights get colder, the same happens with chimney sweeping, every year come September an avalanche of enquiries come in from people who suddenly realise they want to use their chimney but forgot to have it swept. The best time to get this done is in the quieter summer months (we offer an incentive of reduced cost from April to the end of August). We can then advise you on the frequency of chimney sweeping you will need going forwards (most people require just an annual visit but Hetas advise a sweep every three months for a wood stove when in use)
Finally a mention of which chimney sweeps to use. The UK is unusual in that there is nothing stopping anyone from grabbing a brush and charging you for a chimney sweep. The industry is becoming more professional with several associations having been formed which give training and assesments before letting the chimney sweep loose under their banner (APICS the Association of professional Independent Chimney Sweeps is our preferred association). We are also accredited by HETAS, the Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme, which is a well-known organisation in the industry and also now offers training and assesment prior to allowing affiliation. There is now also a new formal qualification for chimney sweeping, and an NVQ qualified sweep (which I am about to be) has the one qualification available in the UK to prove that they are competent and professional in their work.
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