Chimney Sweeping
Sweeping and servicing your stove or fireplace
It is vital to clean your chimney or flue on a regular basis in order to prevent a build-up of soot in the chimney.
The frequency will depend on a number of factors including how often the stove is used, the moisture content of the wood used and the type of chimney. We will be able to advise you how often is best when they have swept the chimney. At the very least the chimney should be swept at the start of the heating season.
To arrange a chimney sweep please call us
The sweeping frequencies below are for guidance purposes only:-
- Smokeless fuel: At least once a year
- Wood: Quarterly when in use
- Bituminous coal: Quarterly when in use
- Oil: Once a year
- Gas: Once a year
Tips and Advice for Chimney Sweeping
- Ensure Your Chimney Is Swept Regularly
- Remind Your Friends And Family To Get Theirs Swept.
How Often?
Chimneys Should Be Swept According To The Type Of Fuel Being Used:
- Smokeless Fuels – At Least Once A Year
- Bituminous Coal – At Least Twice A Year
- Wood – Quarterly When In Use
- Oil – Once A Year
- Gas – Once A Year (Refer To Gas Safe Register)
Further information
• Watch a video on good burning practices: www.burnright.co.uk
• Find a local wood supplier: www.readytoburn.org
• Find advice about solid fuels, safety and energy efficiency at the Solid Fuel Association website: https://solidfuel.co.uk/
• See advice leaflets on a range of topics on the HETAS website: https://www.hetas.co.uk/consumer/hetas-advice/
• Find out more about Ecodesign Compliant stoves: https://stoveindustryalliance.com/sia-ecodesign-ready-appliances/
Things to consider
- Keep chimneys, flues and appliances clean and well maintained
- Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Make sure you always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
- Ensure the fire is extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house
- Never interrupt the air supply by blocking air vents or air bricks
- Avoid slumbering an appliance (unless it has been tested as safe to do so). Slumber mode is when an appliance is purposely set at a low or minimum output normally for overnight burning to be revived in the morning without the need for relighting.
- Chimneys that have been lined still require regular sweeping.
Fuel for thought
- Use the appropriate fuel for your appliance – some appliances will be suitable for wood only, some are multi-fuel – check your appliance instructions
- Never store the fuel next to the appliance
- When burning logs look for a fuel that is 20% moisture content or lower – source your fuel from an accredited supplier – visit Woodsure to find your local wood fuel supplier. woodsure.co.uk
- Get a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in accordance with Building Regulations (and test regularly)
- Last year over 200 people died in fires in the home. You’re at least 4 times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there’s no working smoke alarm.
Responsibilities
- Responsibilities for the maintenance of chimneys.
- Renters and owners
- Any person that uses flue appliances has a responsibility to maintain the appliance and flue. It is often stated that people should take reasonable care within the terms of household insurance policies and in the instance of thatched properties, the frequency of sweeping required is often specified by the insurers.
Landlords
- Landlords have a duty of care to their tenants and are required: To repair and keep in working order, any room heater and water heating equipment.
After a chimney fire
- After a chimney fire has occurred it must be inspected thoroughly as soon as possible by a Certified Sweep before the chimney is used again. This is to ascertain if the rapid and dramatic changes of temperature, which would have occurred within the chimney, have caused any damage and also to determine the need for any remedial measures. It is imperative that the chimney is not used prior to inspection.