No matter what your chimney or flue is made of, or whether it has a flexible liner, it will collect deposits of soot and creosote as your log or multi-fuel stove burns. Even when it is lying fallow it attracts debris like cobwebs, leaves and birds’ nests that can cause blockages.
A blocked chimney is dangerous. When you light a fire beneath a blocked chimney or flue you’ll notice smoke blowing back into the room, along with nasty fumes like toxic carbon monoxide you can’t always see. A build-up of tarry creosote – visible in the chimney lining or even around the stove – may catch light, resulting in a disastrous fire.
As NACS (National Association of Chimney Sweeps) registered chimney sweeps our team have undergone a rigorous training course and successfully completed a full assessment to prove we are competent and equipped for efficient cleaning and clearing of chimneys and flues.
Chimneys and flues need regular cleaning regardless of the type of fuel or appliance used. As NACS chimney sweeps we follow the association’s guidelines as far as frequency goes, which suggest:
If you plan on closing off a disused chimney, it is wise to have it cleaned first to ensure any old soot deposits don’t soak into or through the internal walls. We also recommend that when you move into a new property you have the chimney swept, because you don’t know when last it was properly cleaned.
Depending on what your chimney contains and how dirty it is, a thorough chimney sweep from arrival to completion would on average take 30 – 45 minutes but we allow an hour just in case.
It’s helpful if you can make sure we have space to work in around the hearth, removing ornaments and other household effects from the area. We take time setting up and protecting your room with dust sheets to prevent any mess, and make an inspection of your stove, flue, chimney stack, pot and terminal before deciding on the appropriate cleaning method.
We can sweep your chimney in the traditional way with rods and brushes, or use a rotary power sweeper. In all cases we take extreme care to work tidily and cleanly.
Don’t neglect to have your chimney swept – it’s part of your essential household maintenance.
We serve a wide area across north Wiltshire and north Somerset, up into South Gloucestershire, Bristol and its suburbs, keeping chimneys and flues clean and clear.
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