Woodburning stove

Swipe

I never said it was law about getting a chimney swept, I was just stating what I'd read recently at http://guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk/safety_fire.php regarding insurance companies:

Don't be part of the next uk fire statistics. Get your chimney swept every at least once a year. UK fire statistics show that each year on average over 30 thousands houses have chimney fires.
This will be largely due to not getting the chimney swept often enough or burning fuel that is inappropriate for the appliance and causing tar to build up in the chimney.
Most insurance companies will no longer pay out for claims made due to chimney fires unless the chimney has been swept by a professional chimney sweep and a valid certificate of sweeping issued that is recognized by insurance companies.
Also if the fire brigade is called out due to a chimney fire and it is proven that the chimney has not been maintained the local council can bill you for the call out, and this has been known to be up to £2000 per fire crew.
DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE RISK? OR JUST GET THE CHIMNEY SWEPT.

suki1964

Swipe wrote: »

I never said it was law about getting a chimney swept, I was just stating what I'd read recently at http://guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk/safety_fire.php regarding insurance companies:

So basically you also just found something to quote at me as being gospel?

As already agreed here - anyone can sweep a chimney - not just a " sweep" . And I have asked all my neighbours and work colleagues and customers I saw yesterday if any of them have ever received a certificate from their sweep and they all looked at me like I had grown two heads

My husband will carry on sweeping our chimney and if I feel like splashing out of some rods and a brush he will be doing my mums as well

A._Badger

suki1964 wrote: »

So basically you also just found something to quote at me as being gospel?

As already agreed here - anyone can sweep a chimney - not just a " sweep" . And I have asked all my neighbours and work colleagues and customers I saw yesterday if any of them have ever received a certificate from their sweep and they all looked at me like I had grown two heads

My husband will carry on sweeping our chimney and if I feel like splashing out of some rods and a brush he will be doing my mums as well

It's hard not to conclude that what is happening here is that a trade is taking advantage of the situation.

By issuing these 'certificates' (essentially worthless pieces of paper, whatever they may like to suggest) they leave the customer with a happy glow and give crooked insurance companies an excuse to wriggle out of claims. 'No certificate?! That means your chimney wasn't being properly maintained. We're not paying out on that!'

Eventually, no doubt, some clueless H&S body will seize on this and make it a rule - just as has happened in the electrical trade and in the stove business for our dear old friends at HETAS.

It's how cartels get formed in the modern age.

anotherbaldrick

suki1964 wrote: »

So basically you also just found something to quote at me as being gospel?



My husband will carry on sweeping our chimney and if I feel like splashing out of some rods and a brush he will be doing my mums as well

I see nothing wrong with the time honored practice of sending the children up the chimney,even if you give them a couple of coppers as a sweetener it is still worth it.

suki1964

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

I see nothing wrong with the time honored practice of sending the children up the chimney,even if you give them a couple of coppers as a sweetener it is still worth it.

I was sending the grandson up but now at the age of four hes getting a bit big

Swipe

suki1964 wrote: »

So basically you also just found something to quote at me as being gospel?

No need to get so defensive, if you choose to sweep your own flue that's fine by me.

I'm not saying it's gospel or set in stone but just posting what I've read so people are aware of possible 'potential' issues with 'some' insurers. Why criticise me for providing information that could affect people's claims?

If in doubt, people should double check with their insurer to be certain, as every policy is different. Some may require a professional sweep, others may not. If they do, and they wish to sweep their own flue then they can choose an insurer that doesn't require one. FWIW I don't get a sweep's certificate either, just a date stamped receipt.

crphillips

We give an invoice which doubles as a certificate. They get and copy and we keep a copy. So even if their house burns down (and the certificate with it) they can get in touch with us and we'll send a copy from our records.

suki1964

Swipe wrote: »

No need to get so defensive, if you choose to sweep your own flue that's fine by me.

I'm not saying it's gospel or set in stone but just posting what I've read so people are aware of possible 'potential' issues with 'some' insurers. Why criticise me for providing information that could affect people's claims?

If in doubt, people should double check with their insurer to be certain, as every policy is different. Some may require a professional sweep, others may not. If they do, and they wish to sweep their own flue then they can choose an insurer that doesn't require one. FWIW I don't get a sweep's certificate either, just a date stamped receipt.

So between the three of you, you post the biggest load of baloney Ive read in a while, not one of you can back up your claims, each and everyone of you back peddle like mad ,,,,,,,

And Im defensive??? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

hethmar

Do tell your employers at the pub to get the chimney swept. Pubs are the worse for sweeping - every year we have several ring up after a chimney fire.

The other posters arent talking baloney. The regs in England may be different to your country - its really up to you to check them out to protect yourself. The local fire service in this area have said - a bit OTT - that if you burn wood you should sweep every 6 weeks! This is more than the stove/liner manufacturers recommendation of twice per season (requiring certs for their warranties). We have a number of beautiful old thatched cottages go up in flames every year in this area due to woodburners not being installed correctly or chimneys being unlined, hence the local fire service being a lot stricter on sweeping issues.

suki1964

That doesn't even begger an answer

But hey - you got your post count up and a big thank you from one stove fitter to another