FAQS
WHY DO CHIMNEYS NEED SWEEPING?
A chimney or flue is an exhaust system for your heating appliance. If the flue is dirty or blocked, this could inhibit the escape of hot gasses or poisonous fumes from your home. This is an obvious danger to your health and property. A dirty chimney will also affect the efficiency of your fire. With a solid fuel appliance, sweeping removes the soot, creosote or tar deposits that build up over time. These deposits are flammable and are the cause of a chimney fire. These deposits are also acidic and if left undisturbed can cause damage to the brickwork or lining of your chimney.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED MY CHIMNEY SWEPT?
All working chimneys should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year as recommended by the fire service and insurance companies. Chimneys burning wood tend to need more regular cleaning – quaterley when in use is the recommended timescale. The quality of your fuel and how efficiently you run your fire have a dramatic impact on how clean your chimney stays. Call me for free advice.
WHAT AREA DO YOU COVER?
I sweep chimneys in Hampshire, Wilshire and Dorset.
I HAVE A DISCOUNT VOUCHER, WHAT ARE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS?
Your voucher is valid if you have your chimney swept between January 1st and August 31st. You must present the voucher at payment to recieve your discount. Your voucher can not be used in conjunction with any other offer. The offer is available at the proprietors dicretion. The offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
CAN I BURN ANY KIND OF WOOD ON MY FIRE?
NO! Not if you want to get the most from your fuel and your fire. Seasoned wood is recommended for a reason. Seasoned wood has been given sufficient time to dry out, splitting the wood helps. Seasoned wood has a much higher calorific value and therefore rewards with more heat during combustion. Unseasoned wood does not produce much heat when burned but does produce much more creosote and tar deposits. Different types of wood season at different rates. Softer woods tend to take longer to season. You are aiming to have a moisture content of less than 20%. A moisture meter can help check if your wood is ready to burn. Fruit wood is fragrant when burned but needs time to season. A free standing log store or a Holz Hausen are the most effective ways to store and season your wood.
MY CHIMNEY HAS A STAINLESS STEEL LINER, DO I STILL NEED IT SWEPT?
A common question and the answer is YES. Although the chimney has been lined and insulated, soot deposits will still build up and reduce the efficiency of your appliance. Essentially the inside of the liner becomes your chimney so it is vital that the flue is regularly swept.
DO SOLID FUEL APPLIANCES EMIT CARBON MONOXIDE?
YES! Heating and cooking appliances fueled by coal, smokeless fuels, wood and oil can be just as likely to cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if they are poorly installed, faulty or incorrectly used. CO poisoning is most commonly caused by inadequate ventilation or a lack of maintenance of appliances, flues and chimneys. Some incidents are also due to incorrect installation or deterioration of the structure of the chimney. Poisonous CO gas is produced when fuel does not burn properly. It is odourless and tasteless so you will be unaware of its presence. ALWAYS HAVE A WORKING CO ALARM. Be Carbon Monoxide aware!