Are you lighting your fireplaces to keep your homes cosy during the cold weather? It’s important to ensure that your chimney is clean and maintained before lighting your fire for the first time – let’s find out what you need to know about chimney sweeping.
Without proper chimney sweeping, it could become a danger and may make your fire work less efficiently. To ensure you are not spending more than you need to and to make sure your home and family remain safe this winter, it is important to consider getting your chimney swept before the heating season really sets in.
Below, property expert Thomas Goodman at MyJobQuote.co.uk goes over everything you need to know about chimney sweeping, including why it’s beneficial, the important maintenance tips, how to find the right chimney sweeper for you, and when it’s the best time of year to get your chimney swept. Let’s dive right in…
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Chimney Clean?
The flue must have a clear exit so that all combustion gases can be removed from your home. This is why it’s important to have your chimney regularly swept to ensure there are no obstructions.
Tar, cobwebs, and creosote can build up in your flue over time. Plus, other obstructions may occur from time to time, such as birds’ nests. All of these obstructions can be potentially hazardous and may lead to chimney fires.
How Do You Keep a Chimney Clean?
Chimney sweeping is not often done as a DIY job, as it can be quite dangerous and very messy without the right kind of equipment. In most cases, you’ll want to hire a professional chimney sweep to complete a full and proper cleaning of your chimney. It’s recommended that you get your chimney swept at least once a year before the autumn months, when you’re likely to start using your fireplace. If you use your fireplace regularly, your chimney may need to be swept up to four times yearly.
Keep your fireplace clean and free from debris, as ash and dirt can cause fire hazards. Sweep out the firebox regularly to prevent any buildup.
How to ensure Your Chimney Is In Proper Working Order
Regularly examine your firebox to ensure there are no gaps, cracks, or signs of wear in the lining. If the steel body beneath the lining is visible, you will need to get it professionally repaired. If you don’t, excessive heat may build up inside the fireplace, and this could cause permanent damage.
Regularly look for smoke stains, as these are a sign that your fireplace may not be functioning properly. If there are stains on the ceiling, this may mean that smoke is escaping from a gap between your firebox and the hearth. You’ll need to hire a skilled handyman to fix this issue. If you notice smoke stains above the opening, this may be a problem with the flue damper. If the damper is damaged or caked with debris or gunk, you may not be able to close or open the damper effectively, and this may result in smoke leaking out.
Getting your chimney inspected regularly can help ensure it is always working properly. During the inspection, a professional will be able to determine if your chimney needs to be swept, and they will be able to identify any damage or problems that need to be rectified.
What Are The Benefits of Chimney Sweeping?
There are many benefits to having your chimney swept. Below is a list of the many benefits of getting your chimney swept:
Prevents Blockages
If you own a fire that burns fossil fuels, then your chimney can very quickly begin to collect soot residue. This residue will build up over time and stick to the flue each time you fire up your fireplace. By sweeping your chimney, you can prevent creosote from blocking it. The sooner you get this removed, the easier it will be to do. Any creosote that is left can become highly flammable, and it can be very difficult to remove. With this in mind, it is essential that you have a professional chimney sweep regularly to help prevent blockages.
Prevents Expensive Repairs
If you neglect your chimney and leave it to collect soot, this can be very dangerous and can also result in your fireplace becoming inefficient. If your chimney collects a large amount of creosote, it can be extremely difficult to remove, and the removal can become very costly. Leaving soot and tar to build up inside the chimney can also lead to cracking and other forms of structural damage. These issues can be very expensive to repair. With this in mind, the more frequently your chimney is swept, the better it will be for many reasons.
Efficient Heating
When you have a buildup of creosote inside your chimney, this will cause your fireplace to lose efficiency. This will then result in you needing to use more coal, wood, or fuel for the fire. The best solution to ensure your fireplace is as efficient as possible is to have a regular chimney sweep.
Health and Safety
One of the main benefits of getting your chimney swept on a regular basis is that you can keep your family and home safe from any toxic chemicals, such as carbon monoxide. Keeping on top of regular chimney sweeps can ensure your chimney works exactly as it should. To prevent any harmful fumes from entering the home through the fireplace and make your home a much safer and healthier place, you should ensure that your chimney is swept regularly.
Chimney Precautions to Be Aware Of
Carbon monoxide may be produced if your fire is poorly maintained or if the chimney or flue is blocked. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that can be very difficult to detect, and the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be life-threatening. With this in mind, it’s recommended that you fit a carbon monoxide detector and keep on top of checking it regularly to ensure you’ll be alerted if carbon monoxide is present in your home.
For extra precaution, you may want to invest in some fire safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher, to be on the safe side.
Can a Chimney Sweep Affect Home Insurance?
This can vary depending on your provider. Some policies may simply state that the home must be in a ‘good state of repair’ without providing any specific mention of chimney conditions. Other policies may have clear rules set out on how often you should get your chimney swept. All insurers expect you to carry out ongoing maintenance to ensure your home is in good working order and to lower any risks of damage.
With this in mind, it’s a good idea to have your chimney swept regularly, even if it is not specified in your insurance policy. If you were to experience a chimney fire, your home insurer could argue that your home wasn’t properly maintained. This could then result in the insurer refusing to pay out. If you are at all worried, it’s worth speaking to your insurance company.
How to Find the Right Chimney Sweeper for You
It is recommended that you look out for a chimney sweep that is registered with HETAS. This is a government-approved body that ensures the sweeper has had proper training and knows the correct safety standards in place.
It is also a good idea to check whether the chimney sweep has liability insurance. With this, you won’t be held liable if anything goes wrong during the sweeping process, and you will be insured against any potential damages.
Also, look for chimney sweeps with a good reputation. Consider asking around for recommendations on local chimney sweeps and reading some online reviews before committing to hiring. You can also ask the contractor for references.
When Is The Best Time of Year For Chimney Cleaning?
It is recommended that you get your chimney swept before the heating season begins and after any period of time when your chimney has not been used in a while. The best time to clean your chimney is during the warmer months of the year. Spring and summer are the best times for a chimney sweep. It’s best to have your chimney swept at least once a year to ensure your chimney is performing safely and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Don’t allow a dirty chimney to ruin your cosy winter nights. By scheduling a regular chimney sweep, you will ensure the safety and efficiency of your fireplace while also potentially helping you to save money on repairs and fuel costs. Remember, a clean chimney is a safe chimney. So, get your chimney cleaned and enjoy the warmth of your fireplace this winter with peace of mind.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR… THOMAS GOODMAN
Thomas Goodman has worked as a property and construction expert for MyJobQuote for six years and has worked in the construction industry for over twenty years. Thomas continues to work on building projects while providing expert construction and property advice to industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
