Every time you burn any solid fuel in an open fire or stove it will create carbon deposits – better known as soot, ash and clinker.  Over time these will build up in your chimney flue, reducing its size and efficiency.  If you burn a lot of pine, you may also find the resins in it building up in your flue as creosote-like deposits.  In extreme cases these can even catch fire, causing a chimney fire.

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Sweeping removes these deposits, by brushing them away from the flue lining.  A professional sweep has the training and equipment to make sure this is completely done, without risking any damage to your chimney lining.

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Every chimney sweeping is followed by a “smoke evacuation test”, to make sure the chimney is drawing smoke up through it as it should.

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Sweeps will also carry out a general safety inspection of the fireplace or stove, chimney pots and guards, and check for a correctly installed carbon monoxide detector.  Finally, they will issue a safety certificate, required by many home insurance policies, and make any recommendations for a safe and efficient home fire.

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How often should I get my chimney swept?

 

Chimneys should generally be swept once a year, or before first use if they haven’t been used for a while.  Getting your chimney swept annually is a requirement of some household insurance policies.