Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have my chimney swept?

The frequency depends on how you use your fireplace or stove:

• Heavy use (daily in winter): At least twice per year
• Regular use (2-3 times per week): Once per year
• Occasional use: Once per year
• Smokeless fuel: At least once per year
• Bituminous coal: Twice per year
• Wood: Once per year minimum

Important: Many UK insurance policies require annual sweeping as a minimum regardless of usage level. Always check your specific policy requirements.

What does a chimney sweep actually do?

During a professional chimney sweep, we:

• Visually inspect the fireplace, stove, and accessible flue areas
• Protect your property with dust sheets and vacuum equipment
• Thoroughly clean the entire flue using professional brushes and rods
• Remove soot, creosote, tar deposits, and blockages
• Conduct a smoke draw test to ensure proper ventilation
• Clean up and leave your property as we found it
• Provide advice on any issues found
• Email your digital certificate immediately

How long does a chimney sweep take?

A standard chimney sweep typically takes 45-60 minutes. More complex situations (large inglenooks, very dirty flues, or chimneys not swept in years) may take longer. We'll give you an accurate time estimate when we arrive.

Will sweeping make a mess?

No - we use professional dust sheets and industrial vacuum equipment to contain soot and dust. We leave your property as clean as we found it. You may notice a slight dust smell immediately after sweeping, but this dissipates within a few hours.

Can I sweep my own chimney?

Legally, yes - there's no law requiring professional sweeping. However, we strongly recommend professional service because:

• Proper equipment is expensive and requires training to use safely
• DIY sweeping often misses dangerous creosote buildup
• You won't have professional inspection for structural issues
• No smoke testing to verify safe operation
• Most importantly: Your insurance company requires a certificate from a professional, registered chimney sweep - DIY sweeping doesn't satisfy this requirement

Do I need a chimney sweeping certificate for my insurance?

Yes, almost always. Most UK home insurance policies require annual professional chimney sweeping if you use a fireplace or wood burner. Without a valid certificate from a registered chimney sweep, your insurance claim may be rejected if you experience:

• Chimney fire
• Chimney-related house fire
• Smoke or soot damage
• Carbon monoxide incident
• Chimney structural failure

Check your specific policy for requirements, but annual sweeping with certification is standard across major UK insurers.

Are digital certificates accepted by insurance companies?

Yes! Digital certificates are widely accepted by all major UK insurance companies. What matters is that the certificate comes from a registered, professional chimney sweep (like us - ICS registered) who has actually completed the work.

Our digital certificates are:

• Emailed immediately after job completion
• Stored securely in your customer portal
• Can be easily forwarded to your insurer
• Never lost (even if your home burns down!)
• Accepted by all major UK insurers

What information is on the certificate?

Our certificates include:

• Your property address
• Date of sweep
• Type of appliance/fireplace swept
• Confirmation that work was completed to industry standards
• Our business details and registration information
• Any recommendations or issues found

How much does chimney sweeping cost?

Our transparent, upfront pricing:

• Log burner / wood burner: £60
• Open fire: £70
• Inglenook fireplace: £95
• CCTV inspection (verbal report): £50
• CCTV inspection (full written report): £100
• Bird nest removal: £100
• Stove polishing: £35
• Rope seal replacement: £35

All prices shown when you book online - no hidden fees or surprises.

What if you discover a bird's nest during my sweep?

Bird nests are sometimes found during sweeping because they're high in the flue and not visible beforehand. If we find a nest:

• We stop work immediately and inform you
• Nest removal is a separate service at £100 (requires additional time and equipment)
• We explain whether removal is legally possible (UK wildlife laws protect active nests)
• You decide whether to proceed or book for later
• If you proceed, we complete removal, sweep, and smoke test

We can't always detect nests before starting work, but we're always transparent about what we find and the costs involved.

Do you charge call-out fees or travel fees?

No. The prices shown include everything - travel, equipment, work, certificate, cleanup. The price you see when booking is the price you pay.

Can I book multiple services at once?

Yes! Our online booking system allows you to select multiple services in one appointment. For example, you can book a chimney sweep and CCTV inspection together, or sweep multiple chimneys in the same visit.

Why is chimney sweeping important for safety?

Regular chimney sweeping is essential to prevent:

• Chimney fires: Creosote buildup is highly flammable and can ignite
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Blockages prevent deadly gases from escaping
• Smoke damage: Restricted flues cause smoke to enter your home
• Reduced efficiency: Clean chimneys draw better and burn more efficiently
• Structural damage: Built-up deposits can damage flue liners

What is creosote and why is it dangerous?

Creosote is a tar-like substance that forms when wood burns. It sticks to chimney walls and builds up over time. Creosote is:

• Highly flammable - can ignite causing chimney fires reaching 1000°C+
• Corrosive - damages flue liners and chimney structures
• Restricting - thick buildup reduces chimney efficiency

Regular sweeping removes creosote before it becomes dangerous.

Signs my chimney needs sweeping urgently?

Book a sweep immediately if you notice:

• Smoke entering the room instead of going up the chimney
• Strong sooty, tarry, or burning smell
• Difficulty lighting fires or keeping them burning
• Black soot falling into the fireplace
• Visible tar deposits inside the fireplace opening
• Sounds of birds or animals in the chimney
• Excessive smoke production

Stop using the fireplace until it has been swept and inspected.

Do I need a carbon monoxide detector?

Yes, absolutely. Every room with a fuel-burning appliance (fireplace, wood burner, gas fire) should have a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector. CO is colourless, odourless, and deadly.

We sell carbon monoxide alarms for £20 - add one when booking your sweep online.

Which areas of Kent do you serve?

We serve all areas of Kent. Our intelligent booking system shows availability based on your postcode. Currently servicing postcodes in the Kent county area.

Enter your postcode when booking to check availability and see available appointment dates.

Do you work in smoke control areas?

Yes. Parts of Kent including Medway, Gravesham, Dartford, and Canterbury have smoke control areas. We work in these areas and can advise on compliance requirements for fuels and appliances.

Visit our Smoke Control Areas guide for more information.

How do I prepare for your visit?

Please:

• Ensure fireplace/stove has been cold for at least 24 hours
• Clear the hearth of decorative items, fire tools, and logs
• Move nearby furniture or rugs if possible
• Ensure clear access to the property and fireplace
• Secure pets in another room
• Inform us of any access issues when booking

Do you need to access my roof?

No, modern chimney sweeping is done from inside using brushes and rods inserted through the fireplace. We don't need roof access for standard sweeping.

CCTV inspections are also conducted from inside the property.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Life happens! Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change your appointment. We'll do our best to accommodate rescheduling.

We guarantee same-day response to all messages and enquiries.