CHIMNEY SWEEPING
We carry out traditional chimney sweeping on open fires and multifuel stoves
using traditional rods and brushes as there is no viable alternative and
the "hands on" method ensures a thourough job is carried out.
We generally sweep from the bottom, sealing the fireplace/stove with a purpose made "soot sheet" which allows the fireplace to be sealed whilst allowing rods to pass through. We carry numerous sheets to adequately cover the hearth and surrounding area to exclude soot from the customers flooring and/or carpets.
We also sweep inglenooks and have sheets to cover the fireplace while sweeping is carried out.
We have brushes of different sizes to cater for all the types of flues we are likely to encounter and a selection of rod sizes to suit the job.
We can sweep a flue of total length of 30m (approx. 100ft) and access the roof of most residential properties (rarely our equipment doesn't allow us to reach some chimney pots/stacks, if this is the case we will advise you at the time before any work commences and recommend a reliable builder that can access it).
Sometimes it is necessary to carry out a sweep from the top down. This is usually required if a multifuel stove has awkward or badly placed bends in the flue and rods cannot pass through properly from the bottom. In this instance we have no choice but to access the roof and remove any pot covers/cowls and sweep from the top. The only problem with this method is the weather here in Lochaber which necessitates doing the job when the weather is a little more co-operative! Please bear this in mind if you know or suspect that a sweep has to be done from the top.
We use a purpose made "hazardous dust" vacuum to remove all dust and soot in compliance with H&S regulations.
Recommended sweeping intervals:
Coal/Peat ...... Twice yearly
Smokeless Coal ..... Once yearly
Wood ...... Quarterly (when in use)
There were a reported 7000 chimney fires in the UK last year (that's only the ones reported!). Chimney fires can damage your chimney/flue or your house,
damage your neighbours property and potentially KILL!
Having your chimney swept regularly stops soot and creosote building up, reduces the chances of a chimney fire and ensures your fire operates safely and efficiently.
This is an example of a chimney that has not been swept regularly enough and "green wood" was being burnt without being properly seasoned.
Creosote has built up to such an extent that flue gases can barely escape. The customer reported that the wood burner was smoking into the room and
there wasn't much draw on the fire!
A thorough clean and sweep solved the problem.