What you’ll learn |
The mention of chimney sweep might have you humming “Chim Chim Cher-ee” – but chimney sweeping is as much a part of 2024 as they are in 1900s Mary Poppins.
It might not be at the top of your to-do list, but chimney sweeping is one of the most important steps in maintaining your wood-burning stove and something that you should budget for your stove.
Why?
Regular sweeping ensures your chimney is safe, efficient, and compliant with environmental standards and neglecting chimney maintenance can lead to long-term damage or costly repairs.
In this blog, we’ll help you understand the importance of regular chimney sweeping, how frequently it should be done and also touch on the cost considerations.
Why regular chimney sweeping matters…
Before we get into how often and how much, let’s first look at why sweeping your chimney regularly is important (and it is).
There are quite a few reasons why it’s recommended that you get a regular chimney sweeping, for safety and environmental reasons.
1. Prevents Chimney Fires
Did you know that in 2023-24, there were 218 chimney fires in Wales?
While this represented a decrease of 21% compared with 2022‑23 and the lowest number over the last decade, it’s a stark reminder of why clearing your chimney and avoiding blockages is crucial.
What causes these chimney fires?
Burning wood and other organic material produces a byproduct called creosote, a highly flammable substance that accumulates inside the chimney.
| Creosote is a black or brown tar-like substance that forms when wood burns incompletely. When you use a fireplace or wood-burning stove the combustion materials rise, and as they cool they stick to the walls of the chimney forming creosote. |
Creosote builds up over time, with each fire you burn, and thickens, becoming harder and harder to remove. This buildup can ignite and cause dangerous chimney fires.
In addition, blockages like soot, animal nests or leaves can exacerbate the fire risk by restricting airflow and causing heat to concentrate in one area.
Regular sweeping reduces this risk and prevents blockages that could cause dangerous carbon monoxide to accumulate in your home.
2. Protects against carbon monoxide poisoning…
Chimneys and ventilation are essential for proper airflow and safely removing smoke, gases, and byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide, from your home to maintain indoor air quality.
So, it will probably come as no surprise that a blocked chimney prevents toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, from escaping your home, which is not good. These gases can lead to poisoning, which is often fatal and difficult to detect due to its odourless nature.
Regular sweeping ensures smoke and gases can exit freely, reducing the risk of back-drafting into your living space.
3. Improves stove efficiency…
A clean chimney plays a vital role in ensuring your wood-burning stove or fireplace operates as intended. Proper maintenance directly impacts performance, fuel consumption, and overall heating efficiency, making it a key aspect of stove care.
When the chimney is clear of soot, creosote, and debris, air can flow freely, providing the oxygen necessary for efficient combustion, and extracting the maximum heat from each log.
This results in a hotter, more consistent burn that heats your home more effectively, not only reducing the amount of wood needed to keep your home warm but ultimately lowering overall heating costs.
Efficient fuel use is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making regular chimney maintenance a smart investment.
4. Extends the life of your chimney and stove…
Regular chimney sweeping not only keeps your stove running efficiently but also protects the structural integrity of both the chimney and stove.
The build-up of soot and creosote can trap moisture, causing corrosion or structural damage to the chimney liner and stove components. As we’ve mentioned, regular sweeping removes this, but it also helps to identify small issues, such as cracks, blockages or loose bricks, before they become costly repairs.
By addressing issues early and preventing long-term damage, routine maintenance ensures your heating system lasts for years to come.
5. Ensures compliance with safety standards…
In many areas, regular chimney maintenance is a legal requirement, particularly in smoke-control zones. Some home insurance policies also require proof of sweeping to cover fire-related claims.
Plus, regular sweeping helps ensure compliance with DEFRA emissions regulations for wood-burning stoves.
Ultimately, sweeping your stove or fireplace chimney might be an upfront cost, but it will help avoid costly repairs, provide a more efficient and cost-effective heating system and keep you and your family safe.
An investment that is well worth the cost, I’m sure you’d agree.
Read more: How much does a wood-burning stove cost in Wales?
How Often Should You Sweep Your Chimney?
Hopefully, you’re now on board with the idea of regular chimney sweeps (if you weren’t already). And now that you know why it’s important, let’s answer the all-important question of how often you need to get it done.
The frequency of chimney sweeping depends on usage and the type of fuel burned, but HETAS encourage sweeping your chimney at least twice a year when burning wood and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels.
This is a rough guideline and should definitely be followed if you use your stove daily or as a primary heating source – once at the start of the burning season and once midway through.
If you only use your stove occasionally, then a less frequent sweep is usually sufficient. We recommend once after the burning season to clear soot buildup and prevent debris or pests from nesting in the off-season.
What if I discover a bird’s nest in my chimney?
If a bird’s nest is discovered in the chimney, it needs to be professionally removed to restore airflow and ensure safety.
You should not light the stove or fireplace if you are aware of a nest or debris blocking it. Attempting to light a stove with a blocked flue can cause smoke and harmful gases to back up into the home.
Most chimney sweeps can handle nest removal as part of their service, but it’s something you should speak to them about to ensure.
Signs that it’s time to sweep your chimney
Yes, it’s all well and good saying that your chimney needs to be swept every year (or twice a year) depending on the frequency of use, but you’ll know as well as anyone that time flys – and before you know it, it’s been ages since your last sweep.
Or, maybe you’ve been burning your stove more than usual and it needs a sweep a little earlier than expected.
Either way, it’s worth being aware of the signs of a blocked chimney so that you can look out for them and call the professionals in to give it a sweep, these include:
- Slow-burning fires or difficulty lighting
- Excessive smoke entering the room
- Strong smells of soot or creosote
- Visible soot or debris at the fireplace opening
If you notice any of these signs, book a sweep as soon as possible.
We recommend booking your next one in at the time of sweeping so you don’t forget, and do regular checks yourself in between.
The cost of chimney sweeping
Chimney sweeping isn’t a “nice-to-have” – it’s essential and something that you should budget for when looking to install a wood-burning stove.
The cost of chimney sweeping in Wales typically ranges from £80 to £100 per session. This will depend on a few factors, including:
- Chimney Size: Larger or more complex chimneys may incur higher costs.
- Accessibility: Difficult-to-reach chimneys might require additional equipment or time.
- Additional chimneys: Some sweeps include inspections or minor repairs at an extra cost.
As with everything, you might be able to get it cheaper, but we recommend hiring a certified professional to ensure the job is done safely and efficiently.
It’s an important task, and you should ensure it’s being done properly to get all the safety and environmental benefits of it.
You can check out our chimney sweeping prices here.
When is the best time of the year to sweep your chimney?
Naturally, your wood-burning stove and fireplace are going to be the most used when the temperatures drop in winter. So, it’s definitely a good idea to make sure that your chimney is in optimal condition before the colder weather appears.
The best plan is to be prepared for the colder months and either get your chimney swept in:
- Spring: After the burning season ends, remove soot and debris buildup.
- Autumn: Before the heating season begins, ensure the chimney is clear and ready for use.
If you are using your stove or fireplace regularly, then you’ll likely get your chimney swept at both these times to ensure it’s ready for use and then cleared after a season of heavy use.
Whatever the need, you should avoid last-minute sweeps in peak winter months when chimney sweeps are busiest, and you might face a premium.
Do you need a professional to sweep your chimney?
In Wales, while there isn’t a specific law mandating regular chimney sweeping for homeowners, it’s highly recommended to ensure safety and compliance with building regulations. And for landlords, the responsibility to maintain chimneys and flues falls under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which requires ensuring that heating installations are safe and functional.
So, you don’t need to hire a professional in Wales, but it’s highly recommended to ensure that the sweeping is done properly and helps improve safety and efficiency.
Professionals also have specialised tools to clean thoroughly and can detect structural issues early, preventing costly repairs, so it’s an investment that can pay off.
It’s also worth noting that some insurers require proof of professional chimney sweeping for coverage – so that’s something to consider.
So, no, you don’t need a professional, but there are certainly some advantages to hiring someone rather than doing it yourself.
Ready for a chimney sweep?
Sweeping your chimney regularly is essential for safe and efficient wood-burning stove operation. For Welsh homeowners, compliance with DEFRA standards makes professional sweeping even more critical.
By scheduling annual or biannual sweeps and recognising the signs of buildup, you can enjoy a cosy, worry-free heating experience while extending the life of your stove.
Invest in regular maintenance now to save on potential repair costs and ensure your home stays warm and safe all year round.
We offer chimney sweep service, and you can get in touch if you are due for a sweep. We can ensure your stove or fireplace is working in optimal condition and that you are efficiently and safely heating your home.
