Chimney inspection
Levels 1, 2 and 3, with a written report. Level 2 is what a house sale or an insurance claim usually needs.
Chimney sweeping
Removes creosote build-up, the leading cause of chimney fires. Once a year for a chimney in regular use.
How often does a chimney need sweeping?
Once a year for a chimney in regular use, and always before the first fire of the season. A chimney burning unseasoned wood, or one used daily through winter, may need it more often.
What that means
Creosote is what is left behind when wood smoke cools on the way up the flue. It builds in layers, and past a certain thickness it will burn — hot enough to crack a liner and set fire to the structure around it.
Sweeping removes it. We sheet the hearth, work from inside where we can, and leave the room as we found it.
You get a written note of the flue's condition afterwards whether or not anything needs doing.
Signs you need this
- You have not had it swept in over a year
- The fire is harder to get going than it used to be
- Smoke comes back into the room
- There is a tarry smell when the fire is not lit
If any of those sound familiar, ring us — it costs nothing to ask, and most of these are cheaper to deal with early.
Other things we do
Chimney repair
Crowns, flashing, brickwork and mortar. We photograph what we found before any work is agreed.
Liner installation
Relining a damaged or unlined flue so combustion gases stay inside the chimney where they belong.
Caps and dampers
Keeps rain, leaves and animals out. A missing cap is one of the most common causes of avoidable damage.
Book chimney sweeping
Tell us what you need and we will ring you back to confirm a time.