Why have your chimney swept? The honest reasons it matters

It is about more than soot

A chimney looks simple from the outside, but every fire you light leaves something behind. Soot, tar and creosote build up on the walls of the flue, and that build up is the single biggest cause of chimney fires in the UK.

What builds up in your flue

• Soot. Fine black particles that restrict the flue and fall back into the room.
• Creosote and tar. Sticky, highly flammable deposits from burning wood, especially wood that is not fully seasoned. These are what catch fire.
• Bird nests and debris. Jackdaws love Norfolk chimneys. A nest can block a flue completely.
• Cobwebs and mortar. Older flues shed bits of lining and mortar over time.

The risks of leaving it

Chimney fires. A tarred flue can ignite, and chimney fires can crack liners, damage the stack and spread into the roof space. Steven spent thirty years in Norfolk Fire Service and saw first hand what a neglected chimney can do. It is why safety leads everything we do.

Carbon monoxide. A partially blocked flue can push fumes back into the room instead of up and out. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, which is why a swept, clear flue and a working alarm matter so much.

Poor performance. A restricted flue means a sluggish fire, smoke blowing back into the room and more fuel burned for less heat.

Insurance problems. Many home insurers expect chimneys to be professionally swept, and some ask for a certificate. After every job we issue a certificate on the day, so you have proof for your insurer.

How often is enough?

For most homes, once a year is right. If your wood burner is your main heat source, or your property is thatched, twice a year is the safer bet. Burning well seasoned wood keeps tar build up down between sweeps.

What a proper sweep involves

A good sweep is more than a brush up the flue. We sheet up the fireplace, sweep the full length of the flue, vacuum with a HEPA filtered machine, check the appliance, cowl and flue draw, and leave everything as clean as we found it. You get a certificate before we leave.

If you also want a closer look inside the flue, our CCTV inspections can spot cracked liners and hidden damage.

Ready to book? Call Jamie on 07596 017501 or Steve on 07419 981638. If we are on a job, leave a message and we will call you back.