Chimney sweeping - general questions!

latecomer

travel_freak wrote: »

Hi

Many thanks Macman - that'a s relief, I had visions of black soot everywhere for weeks ....pls have you any idea on the going rate at all for a chimney sweep?

We recently paid about £70 to have our chimney swept and inspected.

themole_2

Agree with you about using a qualified engineer, gas safe or HETAS. We had terrible problems with an old chimney and had tried all the "instant" fix ideas like the paper, etc but it was only when Mark from MKfireplaces turned up and did a survey on the fireplace and chimney that we finally got it all resolved! He even offers free surveys within a radius of 30 miles from Milton Keynes. Now we have a great multi fuel burner and know that we are safe! He charges between £30 - £50 if you are in the area.

It is worth it to get a professional to take a look.

Debt_Free_Chick

travel_freak wrote: »

Hi,

I'm new to having fireplaces. They're in a Victorian house. One of them keeps emitting black dust and bits into the room - esp when it's windy. There is a metal sort of plate in the bit where the chimney goes up but it doesn't close the gap completely.

Is this plate hinged, so it can be opened and closed? Common with Victorian/Edwardian fireplaces. The plate is intended to be closed when not in use to prevent draughts & debris falling down. Clearly, it needs to be open when the fire is lit!

If there is debris falling down, it really does sound like it needs sweeping. A decent sweep will semi-seal off the area and cover the surrounding floor covering. If it's a good sweep, you'll never know that they've been there (in terms of "evidence"), except that the fire will draw and you should less debris falling down.

Is the chimney pot covered to prevent birds nesting on top? If not, then nesting birds will result in debris down the chimney - especially at this time of the year, which is prime breeding time.

Sweeping will clear all the current soot & debris. You'll get no further soot if you don't light the fire, but expect a little debris in the future especially if you've not covered the pot to prevent nesting birds.

A good sweep should cost around £60-£70 - perhaps a little more in an area with high demand and few sweeps. Ring around for quotes and ask neighbours for their recommendations.