An annual chimney sweep is an essential part of being a safe and responsible log burner or open fire user.
So why do you need to have your chimney swept, when is the best time to get your chimney swept and how do you know that the person you're paying to sweep your chimney knows what they're doing?
We cover all of that and more in this article.
Why do I need to have my chimney swept?
The most obvious function of your chimney is to draw smoke out of your log burner and away from the inside of your house, but did you know that it also draws clean air into your log burner and allows for airflow so that the fire can burn clean and hot?
Therefore it's really important that the chimney is kept clear so that smoke can escape and clean air can be drawn in.
An annual chimney sweep will remove any built up soot, debris and tar from wood burning and anything else that may appear, such as tree deposits or bird's nests!
What happens if I don't get my chimney swept?
Not getting your chimney swept annually can be really dangerous!
If the smoke is unable to escape out of the chimney, carbon monoxide may be released into your house which can cause serious illness or even death.
If the chimney is not swept, debris may build up inside the chimney which can also cause chimney fires. According to HETAS, there were 2,540 chimney fires in England between April 2022 and March 2023 so it's a very real danger!
How often should I have my chimney swept?
The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps recommends an annual sweep. Once your Chimney Sweep has completed their work, they will give you a certificate that is valid for one year, confirming the chimney has been swept and is safe to use.
Your home insurance may not be valid f you aren't able to produce an in-date certificate to prove that you have had a chimney sweep in the last 12 months.
If you're burning properly dry wood with less than 20% moisture and managing your fire and your air controls well, your soot and tar deposits will be minimised so an annual sweep should be plenty.
If you are burning wet wood, or allowing your fire to smoulder, your deposits will be higher and you may need to have your chimney swept more frequently.
Learn how to look after your log burner and minimise your chimney deposits with our article 'The Dos and Don'ts of Using Your Log Burner'.
When is the best time of year to have my chimney swept?
It might sound crazy, but the summer months are generally the best time for a chimney sweep.
Hetas recommend having your chimney swept before the start of the cold season, when you haven't used it for a while and for most of us, that means the summer months!
Having your chimney swept over the summer means that it will be clean and ready for use as soon as the temperature dips - you'll be able to use your log burner on the first cold night of the year.
A summer chimney sweep also means that there is time to fix any issues which your Sweep may spot. If, for example, they find any cracks in or faults with your chimney, you've got plenty of time to find someone to repair it during (hoepfully!) the drier season, rather than trying to schedule roof work during the cold, wet winter!
Most good Chimney Sweeps will be extremely busy throughout the whole of September to February so booking your sweep in advance of the mad season means you'll have your pick of skilled, qualified tradespeople who have time to dedicate to your sweep.
How can I find a qualified Chimney Sweep?
Make sure you use a HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep, to be sure they are qualified to carry out the work to the required standard.
You can look at the Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS), The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps (GoMCS), The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) and Sweep Safe.
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