Chimney Sweep
£65 for most wood burners and open fires.
Typically 45-60 mins
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Wood burning/multi-fuel stove with flue liner or a standard fireplace is £65 per flue.
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Unlined Wood burning/multi-fuel stoves are £75 per flue.
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Large Inglenook fireplaces from £75.
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Jetmaster type open fires from £75.
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Flues over 3 storeys in height are extra £10 for each storey above the third.
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Multiple chimneys at the same address have a discount of £5 per chimney, so a wood burner and an open fire would be £120.
A sweep includes sweeping the flue, cleaning out and inspecting the appliance where applicable, carrying out a smoke draw test and certification.
There may be an additional charge if the flue is extremely dirty or access to the flue is difficult access or the appliance and sweeping takes considerably longer than 60 minutes.
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If it becomes apparent during the visit that it is not possible to sweep the flue for reasons beyond my control including the presence of a live bird nest or for any other reason a £25 call-out fee may apply.
Any parking fees incurred are charged accordingly.
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Why do I need my chimney swept?
In order for a chimney to remove the dangerous combustion gases from the fireplace or stove house it must be cleaned regularly. This avoids deposits of soot and tar from either blocking the chimney or catching fire. Both of which can be very bad news!
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Also, most Home Insurers require evidence of an, at least, annual professional sweep.
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The Sweep
Using a mixture of age old and modern techniques, I will sweep your chimney leaving it clean and safe whilst making no mess in your house.
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I sweep the chimney using the most appropriate method and in accordance with the code of practice of the “Guild of Master Sweeps” and I will advise you on the visible condition of the chimney and what deposits have been removed.
If it appears the appliance is not being used in the most clean and efficient manner I will discuss with you ways in which you might improve things to lower both cost and emissions when using your fire.
Keeping your home clean
Gone are the days of sooty men, children(!) or blackened geese(!!) leaving a fine covering of soot and black footprints through your house! I will cover the fireplace area and the walkway to the front door with protective dust sheets prior to commencement.
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Safety Assured
Sweeping your chimney includes a full visual inspection of the chimney stack, the pot, the hearth, the room’s ventilation, and the fitting of the fireplace or stove. As a HETAS trained installer I can advise you of whether everything meets current safety regulations and is in good working order.
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After the appliance has been put back together I carry out a smoke test to ensure the appliance draws (evacuates the smoke from the room) correctly and that the smoke exits from the correct chimney pot and nowhere else.
I then check that there is a Carbon Monoxide alarm and it is correctly positioned.
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Certified for Home Insurance
Once I have finished the work I will issue you with a “Guild of Master Sweeps” certificate which will log any findings and remedial work suggested and is accepted by home insurance providers as proof that you have correctly serviced your chimney.
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Appointment & Payment
The day before your chimney sweeping appointment I will send you a reminder via text.
I don’t take payment until the work has been carried out and I currently accept either cash or a BACS transfer.
When your chimney is next due its sweep I will send you an email reminder so you can book in the next appointment.
Whilst sweeping your stove/wood burner I will check that it is in correct and safe working order and will advise you if it is not.
The rope seals on the doors sometimes need re-fixing or replacing and handle mechanisms may need tightening.
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The vermiculite baffle plates and fire bricks can need replacing if they are no longer staying in their place (cracks in firebricks are not a problem if the don’t affect their placement).
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Most often this can be done during the chimney sweeping appointment but it always helps to know before hand if you think your stove may need repairs.
Stove Service
£ Typically included in the price of a sweep + cost of materials.
Typically 20 mins
Re-roping of door seals, from £25 depending on size and amount of rope required.
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Supplying and cutting to size a new firebrick from £25 depending on size (please note this is only possible if the firebricks are flat and made from 25mm thick vermiculite.
Sometimes it is necessary to have a look inside the chimney to establish the reason behind certain chimney issues.
Blockages, leakages, and rain ingress can often be identified using a small camera that I attach to chimney rods and send up the chimney.
It can also be very useful for assessing the condition of the chimney or the amount and type of deposits it contains.
Bird nest removal
Some birds, most often Jackdaws in and around Bristol, like to make their nests in chimneys. This can be problematic for the human owner of the chimney if they want to start using said chimney when the cold weather arrives. As the birds tend not to dismantle their nests once they have finished with them, it is the job of a chimney sweep to remove the nest from the chimney.
I have a variety of methods and machines that can speed up the removal of bird nests and help manage the dust and debris that are invariably associated with them. But I should warn you that removing a nest can be a time consuming and messy business.
After the removal of the nest I always carry out a CCTV inspection of the chimney to make sure all remains of the nest have been removed followed by a smoke test to verify the chimney’s draw.
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Please be aware that under the Wildlife and Country Act it is an offence to remove an active nest and as such nests cannot be removed between March and the end of August.
Bird guard cowls
Prevention is better than cure and it is always a good idea to fit a bird-proof terminal on the top of a chimney pot to prevent nesting birds and also mitigate any damp issues caused by rain entering the chimney.
When buying a new home you are unlikely to have had the chimney surveyed as part of a home buyer’s report. I can sweep your chimney(s) and, if necessary, carry out a CCTV inspection to make sure it is safe to use.
It is also possible that you have inherited a woodburner with your new house and that it comes with an alarming lack of paperwork. I will inspect the installation to see if it meets current building regulations. I will also carry out a service on the woodburner as well as sweep and inspect its chimney. And if you don’t have much experience of woodburners I will talk you through how best to light and use it so you get a clean and efficient burn.
Letting Agents & Landlords
I have experience in sensitively handling the relationship with tenants. I am fully insured and issue a Guild certificate along with an invoice.
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Commercial Premises
Pizza ovens, pubs and cafes, I have commercial premises insurance and am able to carry out non-residential sweeping.
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Campers & Boats
I also sweep the chimneys of campervans and canal boats!
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Give me a call to discuss on
07581 506570
Advice & a chat
£Free
Typically 10-20 mins!
Always happy to chat!
It's important to me that if you have a wood burner or an open fire you feel like it is safe to use and that you're getting the most efficient and environmentally-friendly burn that you can. If you have any doubts, concerns or questions please give me a call!
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Give me a call on
07581 506570