HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY CHIMNEY SWEPT?

At least once a year. Chimney sweeps usually advise that chimneys ought to be cleaned after a period of prolonged disuse (over the summer for example). Many also advise that chimneys should be cleaned before the end of the heating season to ensure that the chimney is clear of animal nests and prepared for the subsequent idle period.

If a chimney is used very often, it might be necessary to sweep it more often. A professional chimney sweep would be able to advise the optimum cleaning schedule for your chimney.

HOW MUCH DOES A CHIMNEY SWEEP COST?

In Kent, a chimney sweep costs from £75 for a stove or open fire and £150 for an inglenook. In London our sweeps start at £95. The exact price depends on the type of appliance and the chimney, but every sweep includes a smoke test and a safety certificate for your insurance, so you know precisely what you are paying for. We are always happy to confirm the cost before we book you in.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A CHIMNEY BE SWEPT?

In Kent, a chimney sweep costs from £75 for a stove or open fire and £150 for an inglenook. In London our sweeps start at £95. The exact price depends on the type of appliance and the chimney, but every sweep includes a smoke test and a safety certificate for your insurance, so you know precisely what you are paying for. We are always happy to confirm the cost before we book you in.

DO YOU NEED TO SWEEP A LOG BURNER FLUE?

Yes. A log burner flue still collects soot, tar and creosote and should be swept at least once a year, and more often if you burn regularly or burn softwood. Sweeping a log burner flue keeps it drawing efficiently, reduces the risk of a flue fire and is required to keep your home insurance valid. We sweep flexible liners and twin wall systems as well as traditional brick chimneys.

HOW LONG DoES IT TAKE TO SWEEP A CHIMNEY?

A standard chimney sweep usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the appliance and the condition of the flue. We lay down sheeting, seal the fireplace and use the rotary method with controlled extraction, so the work is clean and there is no mess left behind. We then smoke test the flue and issue your safety certificate before we leave.

CAN YOU SWEEP YOUR OWN CHIMNEY?

You can sweep your own chimney, but we would not recommend it. Without the right rods, brushes and a smoke test it is easy to miss blockages, damage a flue liner or leave soot that can catch fire. A professional sweep also issues a safety certificate, which most home insurers require. For the cost of a sweep, it is rarely worth the risk of doing it yourself.

WHAT DOES A CHIMNEY SWEEP DO?

A chimney sweep cleans the soot, creosote and debris out of your chimney or flue so that smoke and dangerous gases vent freely. A professional sweep will also smoke test the flue to check it is drawing correctly, look for blockages such as bird nests, advise on any issues and issue a safety certificate. We sweep open fires, stoves, inglenooks and boiler flues across Kent and South East London.

WHAT IS HETAS AND WHAT IS A HETAS CERTIFICATE?

HETAS is the official body that approves solid fuel appliances, fuels and installers in the UK. A HETAS certificate confirms that a stove or log burner has been installed safely and to building regulations by a registered installer, and it is registered with your local council on your behalf. If your installation was not signed off at the time, we can inspect it and provide the appropriate certification.

HOW CAN I CHECK IF SOMEONE ID HETAS REGISTERED?

You can check whether an installer is HETAS registered by searching the official HETAS website, or simply ask to see their registration details. Using a registered installer means your log burner installation will be signed off correctly, registered with the council and compliant with building regulations, which protects both your safety and your home insurance.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO INSTALL A LOG BURNER?

As a guide, a standard chimney lining stove installation starts at around £1,400, while a twin wall flue system is typically £2,500 to £3,500. The cost of installing a log burner depends on your property and whether scaffolding is needed. Send us photos of your fireplace, chimney stack and the outside of your property and we will give you a clear quote.

HOW DO YOU INSTALL A LOG BURNER R A WOOD BURNING STOVE

Installing a log burner involves preparing the fireplace, lining the chimney or fitting a twin wall flue, fitting a made-to-measure register plate, connecting and sealing the stove, then smoke testing and signing off the installation. It should always be carried out by a registered installer and signed off with your local council. Our team handles the whole job for you, from survey to certificate.

WHO CAN SIGN OFF A WOOD BURNER INSTALLATION

A log burner installation must be signed off either by a registered installer at the time of fitting, or by Building Control if it was fitted by someone unregistered. We are able to sign off our own installations, and we can also inspect and certify a stove that someone else has fitted, then register the certificate with your local council.

HOW SOON AFTER MY LOG BURNER IS INSTALLED CAN I LIGHT IT?

You can usually light your stove the same day, but the first few fires should be small. New stoves have a heat-resistant paint and seals that need to cure, so building up the heat gradually over the first two or three burns prevents fumes and protects the finish. Your installer will give you the specific guidance for your stove.

CAN YOU PUT A LOG BURNER ON AN INTERNAL WALL?

Yes. Where there is no existing chimney, a wood burner can be fitted against an internal or external wall using a twin wall flue system, which carries the flue safely up through or outside the building. We only fit a high quality German twin wall flue and can advise on the best route for your room and roofline.

DO I NEED TO SWEEP MY CHIMNEY IF I HAVE A GAS FIRE?

Yes, although less often than a solid fuel appliance. Blockages in a chimney connected to a gas fire can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases, so the flue should still be checked and swept periodically. We can advise on the right interval for your appliance.

WHY ARE CHIMNEY SWEEPS LUCKY?

Tradition has it that a chimney sweep brings good luck, which is why sweeps are still invited to weddings to this day. The story goes back to a sweep who is said to have saved a king from a runaway carriage. Lucky or not, a well-swept chimney certainly brings the practical good fortune of a safe, efficient and warm home.

DO I NEED TO HAVE MY CHIMNEY SWEPT IF I HAVE A GAS FIRE? 

Yes, although less frequently. Blockages in chimneys connected to gas fires can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. A professional chimney sweep can advise as to how often your chimney ought to be swept.

WHY OPT FOR A WOOD BURNING FIRE OR STOVE? 

Wood has been the natural choice of fuel for domestic fires since it was first used many millennia ago. Nowadays, being able to burn wood for heat in your stove gives you more freedom and options for fuel. 

By using your wood burning stove to heat your home, you become no longer dependent on energy utilities. However, we appreciate there are many different wood types to choose from, and they all have their own individual burning qualities.

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HARD WOOD OR SOFT WOOD?​

Do you know the difference between hardwood and softwood? Hardwoods are any broad-leafed, deciduous trees, such as Beech and Elm, while softwoods are conifers including Cedar and Fir. 

When it comes to burning wood in stoves, hardwood is better than softwood as it burns slower. The density of softwood is also around half that of hardwood, which results in it burning twice as fast – meaning you’ll need twice as much!

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IS DRY WOOD ALWAYS THE BEST WOOD?​

No matter what type of wood you choose for your wood burning stove, it is important that the wood is dried before you burn. Wood that hasn’t been dried wastes much of the energy created while burning in removing water from the log and producing steam. 

Fresh wood contains a high amount of water of between 65-90%, depending on the species. We recommend that wood is seasoned for at least a year, or preferably two before burning. 

You can dry out your own wood in a wood store or, if you don’t have the facilities, ensure you buy seasoned wood from your supplier. The best kiln dried wood has a moisture content of less than 20%.​

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WHICH WOOD SPECIES IS BEST FOR MY FIRE?​

While all woods burn better when seasoned, in general the best woods for burning in your wood stove are the ones you are most likely to come across. Here are our recommendations:​

Apple – Burns slowly with a small flame size and produces a pleasant scent.

Ash – Considered the best wood for burning; it produces a steady flame and strong heat output.

Beech – Burns similar to Ash.

Birch – Produces a strong heat output but can burn quite quickly.

Hawthorn – A traditional firewood with a slow burn and strong heat output.

Horse chestnut – This wood is burnt well in wood stoves as it can spit. It produces a good flame and strong heat output.

Oak – The density of the wood produces a small flame and very slow burn.

Robinia – A good burning wood with a slow burn and strong heat output. Can produce an acrid smoke but if using a stove this of course is not a problem.

Thorn – A steady flame and very strong heat output without producing excess smoke.

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