The Importance of Sweeping Chimneys

We are a member of The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. A Hetas Approved Chimney Sweep. We have been Sweeping Chimneys in Essex for the past 12 years...

Chimney Sweep £49
Gas services £60

For a combined Gas Service and Chimney Sweep Special Deal £90 Vat Included

We all like to sit around our gas or solid fuel fires, there’s nothing quite like it, and more and more people are having wood-burners installed. If you burn seasoned timber its eco friendly and good for the planet (the carbon dioxide released during burning is the same as the tree absorbed during growing). But you have to treat all real fires with respect. We know they will burn us if we touch them so we take precautions to protect ourselves especially children and the infirm by using fireguards. Its obvious and really goes without saying.

Unfortunately because we cannot see up the chimney we tend to forget all about the condition of the flue. Sadly we have all heard recently of fatalities caused by carbon monoxide poisoning and local fire brigades report chimney fires on the increase, so why do we not take sensible precautions by having our chimneys swept and gas fires serviced regularly. Solid fuel fires as well as gas can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

The answer is probably because we cant see up the chimney and don’t realise the importance of the chimney flue. If we could see up the flue and see the problems, we would take sensible precautions to protect our family and have the chimney swept by a competent chimney sweep.
Chimney flues when used with gas fires can easily get blocked by birds nests and even cobwebs, causing carbon monoxide poisoning.

Chimneys used with solid fuel fires will definitely suffer from soot build up and maybe creosote build ups, if the soot and creosote is not removed from your chimney by a chimney sweep the chances are you will have a chimney fire. This can be very scary usually involving calling out the fire brigade. The Fire Brigade in some areas are now charging up to £2000 for being called to a Chimney Fire. Your home will be left in a mess and your insurance may not want to pay out without proof of your chimney being swept (a chimney sweep costs aprox £49) by a competent chimney sweep. Why take chances! Protect your family and have your chimney swept.

Click on the Link below to see more information and advice from your local Fire Service:

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service - Chimney Fires

We can supply all these services by our experienced staff, our chimney sweep has been sweeping chimneys in the Essex area for many years and is also Hetas and Gas Safe Registered, so we can do the whole job, be it gas or solid fuel.

Chimney Sweep £49
Gas services £60

For a combined Gas Service and Chimney Sweep Special Deal £90 Vat Included

Our Chimney Sweep uses the latest equipment, brushes and vacuum.
We sheet up properly, our vacuums are equipped with filters that work down to at least 0.5 microns as standard. We have added a special main filter bag that will bring filtration down to less than this. We are experts on all types of fires, solid fuel or gas and are often called upon to answer questions as to why chimneys do not work.

Our Chimney Sweep service is available to all and not just our existing customers.

What to do if you have a chimney fire
Get everyone out of the house
Call the Fire Brigade 999

If its safe to do so:
Shut doors on wood-burners and shut off air intakes
Close all doors as you leave the house
Once outside inform neighbours of the fire

Chimney Sweep

Recommended Sweeping frequency:

Smokeless coals: At least once a year
Wood: Up to 4 times a year
Bitumous coal:Twice a year
Oil: Once a year
Gas: Once a year

Q / WHY DO I NEED TO HAVE MY CHIMNEY / FLUE SWEPT?
A / Chimneys need to allow free passage of dangerous combustion gasses. Regular cleaning will remove soot and creosote, helping prevent dangerous chimney fires. Cleaning will increase the efficiency of some appliances. Bird nests, cobwebs and other blockages will be removed.

Q / HOW OFTEN DOES MY CHIMNEY NEED SWEEPING?
A / The sweeping frequencies below are for guidance. Frequency will depend on a number of factors including: Type of fuel, appliance used, duration of use, moisture content of wood fuel, type of chimney. Your Guild sweep will be able to advise on sweeping frequency during the visit. Smokeless fuel: At least once a year Wood: Quarterly when in use Bituminous coal: Quarterly when in use Oil: Once a year Gas: Once a year

Q / WHY SHOULD I USE A GUILD REGISTERED CHIMNEY SWEEP?
A / Guild sweeps undertake an extensive training and assessment process. Training is based around the most comprehensive training manual in the UK. Guild membership requires members to be insured and equipped to deal with all standard job situations. Because the Guild is owned equally by all its members it can act like a co-operative, sharing information and solving customer problems. In the unlikely event your Guild sweep is unable help you, they should be able to recommend someone who can.

Q / DOES IT MAKE A MESS?
A / This is a very good question to ask when booking any sweep. The answer should be - very rarely. Guild sweeps are able to draw on the collective knowledge of the whole organisation and have a number of best practice techniques for preventing dust escapes. A rare exception may be when the chimney is blocked with a bird’s nest or when it is sometimes difficult to contain all dust.

Q / WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE FOR THE SWEEP’S VISIT?
A / Ask your sweep this question when booking. In general they will need a clear passage to the chimney and adequate space to work in. Clear ornaments from the hearth and perhaps from the mantelpiece. In particular, clear the grate of any fuel / ash / rubbish as cleaning up before they start is a pet hate of most sweeps.

Q / DO I NEED TO HAVE MY GAS / OIL FLUES SWEPT?
A / Yes. Although burning these fuels does not normally deposit soot there are numerous other problems which can affect chimney function and sweeping can solve or identify these. In countries such as Germany, where sweeping all chimneys and flues is a legal requirement, the number of carbon monoxide poisonings and chimney fires are a fraction of the UK.

Be Carbon Monoxide Aware

Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell and can be produced by appliances that use gas, wood, oil or coal. Carbon Monoxide can also be present in smoke from solid fuel or oil appliances.

Carbon Monoxide is potentially fatal and even low-levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to your health.

COCAA: Who are we
COCAA stands for the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance, and it is a group made up of organisations that all have an interest in ensuring the public is aware of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and how to keep themselves safe from this poisonous gas.

COCAA is currently funded and provided with secretariat support by The Gas Safety Trust (formerly The CORGI Trust). It is a totally independent association of supportive member's.

Be Carbon Monoxide Aware - Website

E-mail - billericayfireplaces@btconnect.com Tel: 01268 531055 Fax: 0560 3135612

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Essex, Billericay, Wickford, Downham, Stock, Chelmsford, Romford, Upminster, Hornchurch,

Grays, Basildon, Stanford Le Hope, Benfleet, Hockley, Rayleigh, Leigh-on-sea, Chalkwell, Westcliff,

Southend, Thundersley, Hullbridge, Southwoodham Ferrers, Burnham, Latchingdon

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