• Chimneys or flues need to allow the free passage of dangerous combustion gases. Regular sweeping of your chimney will not only eliminate the build-up of creosote and soot which would hinder this, potentially causing a hazardous chimney fire, but it will also help to keep your appliance or fire running to its optimum potential.
• You may find that your fire or appliance is less efficient than usual or that smoke is escaping back in to the room, or you may have discovered twigs or debris in the grate. The most common reason for this would be a blockage, possibly caused by a nest. If you leave these blockages in place, you run the risk of having a chimney fire or preventing the escape of deadly Carbon Monoxide gas.
• Many people think that Carbon Monoxide only comes from gas appliances but in fact any fuel that burns creates this deadly gas. Any appliance fitted after 1 October 2010 must have a CO alarm fitted in the same room but I highly recommend that a room should have an alarm fitted regardless of the appliance’s age. I can chat with you about where the alarm should be fitted, supply the alarm and also fit it for you if required.

The UK Fire & Rescue Service recommends the following; 

• Woodburning – Quarterly when in use.  most of my customers use the fire from October to May. for frequent users it’s normally best to sweep halfway through this period (approx January/Febuary) and again at the end of the season or before the fire is used again (April -September).  For less frequent/weekend users it is normally sufficient to sweep annually.
• Smokeless fuel – Sweep once a year     
• Gas – Once a year      
• Oil – Once a year  
• Coal – Once or twice a year depending on frequency of use 

It really is all about preparation and good admin!!

-Before I start sweeping, the fireplace or appliance is inspected and checked to ensure a small amount of smoke is drawn up the chimney.

A clean hearth sheet goes on the floor to protect your carpets or rugs and a soot cloth covers the opening.  Once the fireplace is sealed I begin sweeping.  A multi stage HEPA filter vacuum is used to catch any soot, dust and filter the air.  I then use the good old rod and brush to sweep the entire length of  the chimney or flue, passing the brushes out the top.  When the brush is poking out the chimney pot, I will let you know, so that you can go outside and see it.  Upon seeing the brush out the top of your chimney is deemed good luck and you should to make a wish!  After the chimney has been cleaned a smoke pellet is lit and smoke must be seen emerging from of the newly swept chimney, thus proving a good flow and smoke evacuation. Happy days!

Finally, I’ll tidy up and leave you with a National Association of Chimney Sweeps –NACS, certificate of sweeping along with any recommendations.

In order to sweep your chimney there must be no hot ashes, please ensure that the fire has not been lit on the day, or night before the sweep!

It is appreciated if you could remove any ash from the fireplace and clear the hearth of any objects. I will protect your carpets and furnishings with clean dust sheets so there is no need cover anything unless you wish to.  The hearth will be sealed whilst sweeping and a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner will be run, ensuring minimal dust enters your room.

WHAT EFFECTS THE DEPOSITS IN MY CHIMNEY?

Deposits in your chimney are affected by frequency of use, the fuel you are burning, the size and type of flue, the type of appliance/open fire and the way in which you operate that appliance. Shutting the appliance down on a very low heat output will cool the gases down, these will condensate to form creosote and tar often leading to chimney fires.  Ideally you should operate your appliance with enough air for it to stay at such a temperature that the tar and creosote cannot condense until it reaches the atmosphere, by then the gases will be diluted and carried away.  Also important is ensuring that the wood you are burning has a low enough water content (ideally not more than 20%).  Wet logs burn at a lower temperature and cause the chimney to cool and so condensation occurs and a residue is formed.

I belong to the trade body, The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS).

Being a NACS member means I have been professionally trained and will adhere to a code of conduct & work to a code of practice in order to protect you, the consumer, to ensure you’re chimney is clean, and above all safe.