Our Process
Not sure what the process is for a chimney sweep? Need a time frame for the service? Generally would just like to know more? Then you’re in the right place! Take a look at the run down of our process to find out more.
Getting Booked In
Get in contact with one of the team for a free estimate. Our average costs are around £85-£150, with discount prices being offered for additional flues cleaned on a property.
Once you’ve gotten your quote, arrange a time and date that suits you.
And then sit back and relax!
The Service
On the day, one of our technicians will arrive with all of the latest cutting-edge equipment, and once we’re all set up, we’ll carry out your service; on average, this roughly takes around 45 minutes.
Preparation
First we determine what needs to be considered before cleaning commences. This can include:
- Ensuring the opening of the fireplace/chimney breast wall is clear and free of obstruction
- Removing a gas fire before the sweep is carried out
- Disconnecting obstructed inset gas convector fires for safety reasons
- Making a small opening in the chimney breast to sweep the flue where the original opening has been boarded over
Inspection
Next we’ll look for evidence of faults that can help us diagnose an issue with your chimney such as excessive amounts of debris visible in the opening of the fireplace, large deposits of pargeting or evidence of a bird’s nest falling into the opening.
Soot and Dust Prevention
Once the opening is cleaned we then completely cover and seal the opening of the fireplace with a special sweep cloth to prevent soot and dust escaping during the sweep.
The Sweep
We then begin the sweeping process using professional sweep rods called viper rods, which can reach up to 35m and are designed for one continuous sweep all the way through the flue from bottom to top.
When the sweep is completed we then remove the sheeting to inspect the debris to keep an eye out for any potential problems with your flue. If excessive debris has been produced we’ll vacuum before removing the sheet to keep your property clean.
Sweep Certificate
Once the chimney has been assessed, we fill out a chimney sweep certificate which will specify the condition of the appliance, flue and stack, as well as notes for the next inspection. This is imperative as some insurance companies will no longer pay out for chimney fire damage unless the flue has been swept and maintained by a professional chimney sweep and issued a valid certificate of sweeping.
We will then run through our findings and make any suggestions on improvements.
The findings are reported back to our operations team who will then put together a quote for any additional work your chimney may require.
Aftercare
Much of our business comes from repeat custom, so our aim is to leave you happy with the service and coming back to use us in future. Generally speaking, you need to ensure that the chimney is swept at least once a year to keep it in good condition, but if you experience and problems sooner than that, our team will be more than happy to assist you with your chimney at any time or date.