Reasonable Quote for sweeping the Chimney?

headcovers

Could anyone advise me how much would be a reasonable quote for sweeping a chimney that hasn't been used for nearly 4 years?

beadysam

We usually pay between 15-20 quid!

Ted_Hutchinson

I've always DIY so can't comment on the price but I'll bet it will be more than the cost of a set of rods and a brush see Screwfix rods plus Screwfix brush
All you have to do is push and twist. Providing you keep twisting in the same direction (to tighten the rods) nothing can go wrong. If you do forget which direction to tighten the worst that can happen is you will disconnect the brush in which case you will have to go up on the roof and pust the brush down to the fireplace again. You'll only do this once and the prospect of having to go up on the roof to push the brush down will probably sharpen your resolve to keep twisting in the correct direction.

Edit: I see I may have lost my bet. Still the rods will come in handy for the drains as well and you really should do the chimney at least once a year and if you have a fire every day then maybe twice so so you'll still get better value from having your own rod set and sweeping it yourself.

Edit: If you do get a set of drain rods/chimney brush NEVER EVER tell anyone you have a set. They will always want to borrow them and they will never return the full set. It doesn't matter how honest you think your friends/neighbours are your drain rod set will gradually diminish so you have to buy another set. I don't know what they do with them but I'm on my second set and I only just have enough.

crankup

6 years ago was the last we had it done. It cost £10 then, to give you a vague guide.
The old chap put his dust sheets down on the floor and around the fireplace, worked his brushes up through, went out the front to see em poking out.
We had a chat about Bob Dylan for a bit whilst he brushed a bit, then took a tenner off me and left with his sheets bundled up after about half hour. No mess left.

italiastar

The going rate round here is £40 - I DIY - cheepest place for a set of rods is B&Q Warehouse - £15 and they come with a brush. Tighten the rods firmly and keep rotating clockwise as you push. to be safe secure each joint with gaffer tape (a sweep showed me that tip) If you do get the brush stuck up the chimney, as I did this year - yes I knew about turning the rods, securing them etc etc - but didn't - light a small fire - the brush shivles up and hey presto comes down the chimney. I discovered this by accident when I was testing the draw - it only took a few sheets of paper.

bobsa1

Came across this thread. I currently have a gas fire in front of a chimney. How do I find out if the Chimney is still working (will diy smoke bombs do) and what do I need to have a fire. eg. grate etc.

Many thanks

cattie

I live on the outskirts of London & I paid £35 to have mine done 2 years ago.

headcovers

Thanks for all your replies. Now comes the trick of finding one to come out before February (and before the sun comes out again and I don't need the fire)

black-saturn

In my old house it was £35.

halloweenqueen_2

Get a couple of bricks and a thick sheet. make a small hole in the sheet and put the first rod partially through, and screw on the brush the other side of the sheet. Hang the sheet on the mantle with the bricks, then add the rods one at a time and clean the chimney as you add the rods. Having the sheet there saves a lot of mess and its also useful to have someone to look to see when the brush emerges from the top. Give the brush a good push forward and back as you bring it down and disconnect the rods one by one.
If you do ever get a fire in the chimney throw salt on the fire and it will help to put it out.

dixdixon

I'm a Diy'er have been for a few years, friends of mine pay £25 a time thats each for 2 chimmneys. I got my rods from B&Q £14.99 not a bad price. They have well and truely paid for themselves . I use them for the drains as well. Not brush but plunger!

Brushing the chimmney is easy. Cover fire place with sheet weighted down with bricks. with a small hole in centre of sheet put the brush up on the first rod.Then start adding the rods. I don't twist, I use an up & down motion Keeping the pressure on the rods screw in direction. Pop outside to check then do the opposite to retrive brush. Beware though if you have a cowl on the top of your chimmney! Gently does it on the last few rods! Never had any problems. Happy Sweeping!