When a chimney works well, it draws down oxygen to feed the fire and draws away the smoke and harmful carbon monoxide chemicals to keep you safe. A clean and clear chimney produces a lovely roaring fire with no smoke. After a season of heavy use, the chimney naturally starts to build up a coating of creosote and other debris along the insides of the chimney and flue. Come Spring you may even find yourselves with an unwanted feathery guest in there as well.

With all this detritus in your chimney, it just can’t function properly. It produces a poor fire which may even go out altogether. Without a sweep, the lining of the chimney may become damaged and start to leak deadly toxic carbon monoxide gas into your living space. With a blocked chimney the smoke can roll back down the chimney, filling the room. In the worst-case scenario, if there is a lot of creosote build-up on the chimney wall, it may even catch alight causing a chimney fire, and creating untold damage to the chimney and your property.

Each year nearly seven thousand houses across the UK have chimney fires; most of these are preventable. The upshot is, that without regular chimney cleaning, your chimney could end up costing you a lot of money or even your life.

An average chimney sweeping takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete depending on:-

• The chimney’s condition.
• When it was last swept.
• If there are any blockages.
• The size and the complexity of the chimney setup.

There are a few things that you can do to prepare, before a chimney sweeping:

• Ensure the space around the fire is as clear as possible for me to work. For example, remove any encroaching furniture or valuables from the fireplace area.
• You can light a fire the night before a sweep, but please make sure the fireplace is cold before the sweep appointment. I cannot sweep a chimney that is hot.
• Boilers, Agas and Rayburns must be turned off or put out at least 24 hours before the sweeping appointment.
• Empty the ash from the fire and remove any logs still there.
• Access to an electrical socket available for me to use.
• Make the route to the fireplace from the outside clear.
• Open a few windows for ventilation because of Covid-19.
• Socially distance while I am in your house.
• Cash preferable (alternatively PayPal or bank transfer on the day only)