What to consider before hiring a chimney sweep

During the colder months nothing beats the warmth of an open fire. There really is nothing better than getting in after a long day at work and sitting by the fire - a warm and cosy feeling that your boiler just simply cannot replicate.

 

In order to get the most out of your fireplace and to ensure that it is safe for use, investing in professional chimney cleaning is key. Having your chimney regularly swept and maintained is extremely important to ensure that your fireplace and chimney remains in top working order. Below we take a look at a few important things to consider before you hire a chimney sweep.

 

Ensure that the chimney sweep you choose is accredited 

In order to find a chimney sweep that will correctly complete the job to a high standard, you should choose one that is part of an accredited trade body. We recommend looking for a company that is registered with HETAS, the government-approved body for the solid fuel and biomass industry. All sweeps registered with HETAS will have undergone HETAS’ training programme, ensuring that they know exactly what they are doing and that they follow the correct safety standards in place.

 

Hiring a chimney sweep who does not have the appropriate training and qualifications could result in your job being completed to a low standard. You should also check that your chosen chimney sweep has liability insurance. If anything were to go wrong, you can rest easy knowing that you are protected against damages.

 

For example, what if the chimney sweep forgets their sheets and black soot ends up all over your brand new white sofa? Perhaps they do not successfully remove a birds nest from your chimney which results in a fire. Whatever the problem, opting for a sweep that has insurance is extremely important and will put your mind at ease.

 

The reputation of the chimney sweep 

Choosing a chimney sweep that has a good reputation and a decent amount of experience is essential. While it is always good to support startup businesses, you should make sure that the chimney sweep you hire has suitable experience. If they are just starting out in the industry or you are one of their first clients, you could be at risk.

 

It is always good practice to read online reviews in order to get a feel for the company and previous projects that they have completed. However, there is no harm in asking for the names and numbers of their previous clients too. This way, you can speak to people first-hand and ask them all about their experiences with your chosen chimney sweep.

 

Questions you may want to ask include:

 

●    How long did they take?

●    Did they leave a mess?

●    Were you satisfied with the company’s work?

 

If the contractor is reluctant to give you references or refuses to give examples of previous clients, this could be a warning sign that you should move on to another chimney sweep. Ask friends, family or neighbours in your area who they have used in the past and whether they have any recommendations. Word of mouth is always a great way to find a reliable chimney sweep.

 

Check for ID 

You have the right to ask any chimney sweep who is coming to your home to work on your chimney for verification. All reputable chimney sweeps should carry ID cards on them and all reputable companies should provide their employees with appropriate ID badges. Chimney sweeps who work for a reliable company should turn up at your home in a marked uniform and a marked vehicle; if they do not, this could be a warning sign that they are not who they say they are. Always ask to see ID before letting anyone into your home.

 

Be wary of telephone scams targeting homes with a fireplace 

Sadly, you do need to be wary of telephone scams. If you get a call out of the blue about your chimney, this could be a warning sign. Many telephone scams will target houses with old or modern fireplaces and offer them enticingly low prices for their chimney sweep services. These services are then often carried out by underqualified contractors. If the cost of a chimney sweep is surprisingly low, this could indicate that the company is not professional.

 

Additionally, stay wary of people who knock on your door out of the blue offering you their services. Always ask to see ID badges, certificates, references and examples of previous work.

 

Letting someone into your home based on a simple phone call or chat on your front door step could put you at risk and make you vulnerable to criminal activity which is why you should always choose a chimney sweep that is accredited, recommended and has a reliable and professional website.

 

Professionalism 

Any reputable chimney sweep will appear professional; it’s as simple as that. When calling up the company to discuss your requirements, ask as many questions as possible. They should be able to answer any concerns that you have about their services and reassure you that the work will be completed to a high standard. From their response, you should be able to tell how experienced and professional they are.

 

All good chimney sweeps will treat you and your home with the utmost respect - something that is extremely important. Always go with your gut instinct; if you sense that something is not quite right or you have some concerns that the chimney sweep simply cannot answer, move on to another sweep. After all, they will be in your home and you will be paying them money so you want to ensure that you receive the best service possible.

 

Benefits of hiring a chimney sweep 

Sometimes, it can be tempting to try and clean your chimney yourself. However, this requires the appropriate equipment, time and patience, a lot of mess and a tiring amount of physical work. We always recommend hiring a chimney sweep to clean your chimney. Below are some of the benefits:

 

●    An experienced chimney sweep will have undergone the necessary training, meaning that they will carry out the job to a high standard and know exactly what they are doing. Experience and training means that a chimney sweep can spot problems within your chimney that you may not notice yourself. These problems can lead to inefficient burning or, worse still, chimney fires. Spotting them early and rectifying the problem is crucial and a good chimney sweep will be able to bring these issues to your attention.

 

●    Problems within your chimney are most commonly spotted by a sweep from the roof. Attempting to climb on your roof yourself can be both dangerous and problematic which is why it always best to rely on a sweep. Even subtle problems that could lead to bigger issues in the future can be spotted by sweeps early - something that your untrained eye may not pick up on. The earlier a problem is noticed, the earlier it can be fixed which will save you money and hassle in the long run. The cost of chimney cleaning services far outweigh the problems that could arise from cleaning your chimney yourself.

 

Milborrow Chimney Sweeps: From chimney repair to fire restoration 

Milborrow Chimney Sweeps is a family-run firm with over 100 years of experience in the maintenance of chimneys and fireplaces. Our experienced and skilled chimney sweeps are all highly trained and gas safe qualified, ensuring that they provide only the highest quality service possible. We understand the importance of regularly sweeping your chimney and offer affordable and competitive prices that will help you to keep your chimney safe and suitable for use at any time.

 

Milborrow Chimney Sweeps are HETAS registered installers. We pride ourselves on our unbeatable reputation and our team of experienced sweeps. Whether you are looking to have your chimney swept in a Victorian terrace house or need regular chimney maintenance for your pizza restaurant, we can assist. Our services are available across Sussex, Kent and Surrey. To discuss your requirements with us, simply get in touch today.