If you’re
living in a property that uses an open or wood fireplace, then it’s essential
that you keep up with its maintenance. A chimney that's badly cared for could
become a safety hazard for you and your loved ones, as well as potentially
incurring hefty costs down the line. Luckily, chimney sweeping is still very
much around and hiring a professional is a surefire way of keeping your fireplace in good
condition. If you’ve just had a new fireplace installed then you may be
uncertain as to what chimney sweeping is or why you need it. Below is our guide
on the importance of cleaning your fireplace, and why it’s beneficial to have
this done by a professional.
What does a chimney sweep do and why should you
hire one?
As a trade,
chimney sweeping has been around hundreds of years and by the 19th century
sweeps were in high demand. As experts in all things chimney related there’s
noone better to maintain the quality of your fireplace or wood burning stove.
Despite the common assumptions about sweeps, they do a lot more than simply
brush away soot. The role requires a high level of training and expertise so
don’t be swayed by cheap quotes. A properly qualified chimney sweep will be
able spot hidden problems, such as issues with your brick work, roof or combustion
risks.
A typical
chimney sweeping service
may include:
● Sweeping out flues
● Pots, cowls, caps, bird-guards,
terminals and gull strips fitted
● Chimney inspections, surveys,
locations and CCTV surveys
● Soundness tests, smoke and integrity
tests
● All minor and major repairs to
fireplaces and flues
● All work certified, written reports
● Chimney repairs
● Specialist chimney work
● Contract chimney sweep available
● Landlord Safety Certificates
In most cases, the chimney sweep will firstly lay out protective
sheeting or use a cover to prevent soot from spraying into the house. The
operative will then go on to the roof, and using brushes as well as other
specialised equipment, flush out the soot and debris. After the flue has been
cleaned, the sweep will then return to the house and use a chimney vacuum to
suck out any dislodged material. Since there are many safety precautions to
think about -particularly when working on a roof- it’s always best to leave the
job to the experts. They will come armed with professional safety gear, such as
face protection to keep soot inhalation to a minimum, harnesses and brushes.
You probably don’t realise but your chimney is one of the most exposed
areas of your home. Out in the elements, it’s unprotected from all weather
conditions, debris and animals who often make chimneys their homes. Nobody
wants to start their winter off with a non functioning chimney. According to HETAS
, the best time to schedule your chimney
maintenance is just before the start of the heating season, or after prolonged
periods of not using your wood burning stove or fireplace.
How do i know if i need a chimney Repair?
There are
several indicators that your fireplace isn’t functioning how it should.
Ignoring these could lead to bigger problems that could have initially been
fixed with a simple solution. Although it’s always best to have a professional
in to fix these problems, it’s your responsibility to keep an eye out for signs
that something may be wrong with your chimney.
● Are you fires starting slower than
usual or not burning brightly? This could be a sign of bad airflow or trapped
exhaust gases. Having this debris swept away will improve the capability of
your fireplace.
● When there are bad odours coming from
your chimney, when the fire is not in use, this could be a build up of creosote
and soot which has filled up your chimney.
● If soot is dropping into your fireplace
then it needs a thorough clean.
● Is smoke filling the room when the
fire is lit? A clogged chimney will become less effective so should be seen to
as soon as possible, especially in preparation for colder months. It can also
start to have an effect on your health if you’re inhaling smoke regularly.
● There are signs of animals present
like muffled scratching or physical evidence. Birds and rodents can nest in
your chimney, leaving droppings and stones, or damaging the internal brickwork.
A chimney sweep will be able to identify this and restore ventilation to your
fireplace.
● If you’ve just moved into a property
with an open fire, it’s worth getting everything in good working order.
Failing to
have any of these signs looked at is a real danger. Not only will you end up
with a unusable fireplace, but you could be damaging the health of yourself and
others, or worst case scenario end up with a house fire. If the exterior of
your chimney is damaged then rebuilding it may be your only option. This may
sounds like a big and expensive job, but rebuilding a chimney that isn’t
structurally sound can you save you money. If you choose not to, there is a
danger of bricks collapsing, damaging other parts of your home or even
seriously hurting passersby.
What is fireplace restoration and why have it done?
As with most
trends, traditional styles eventually return to popularity. In this case the
classic wood fireplace and wood burning stove has replaced the modern
fireplace. Gone are the days of homeowners covering up beautiful fireplaces to
replace them with fake flame substitutes. Notably, in period properties,
original fireplaces are often a key selling point for potential buyers and
desired those of the property ladder. Fireplace restoration
involves
bringing your old fireplace back to life, both in the way it looks and how it
functions. If you’ve inherited an existing fireplace you may need to get it
working again with help of a professional. Period fireplaces are a great focal
point of any room. Georgian homes often favoured using stone or marble
surrounds containing a simple firebasket. Victorian and Edwardian houses on the
other hand, typically had cast iron fires with a surround made of stone, marble
or timber. But, you can still put a modern twist on traditional fireplaces.
Many chimney sweeping services also offer fireplace restoration. Experts can
use specialist materials to reconstruct original features, or work alongside
you to update your fireplace. Colourful and printed tiles are a great way of
combining old with new.
There are
many benefits of restoring your open fire, particularly in time for the colder
months. There’s no denying that one of the biggest appeals of a traditional
fireplace is how cosy they can make your home. It’s also a reliable heat source
when bad weather disrupts your boiler and pipes. Additionally, open fires can
lower your bills. The cost of gas and electric cannot compare to that of an
open fire, plus, they burn at a higher temperature which lasts a lot longer. By
adding an open fire to your home, this could add to its value. The cosy
atmosphere that they create is a popular selling point for homes on the market.
If you’re in need of a chimney cleaning service,
fireplace restoration or have concerns about the safety of your fireplace, then
Millborrow Chimney Sweeps can help. Working throughout Surrey, Kent and Sussex
we are a family firm with the privilege of holding two Royal Warrants. We have
the expertise to get your fireplace working like new, so
get in touch
today to find out how we can help.
