Chimney sweeping

frugal90

I have a multifuel stove, connected at the back up into the chimney which has a stainless liner. Sweep charging £60 now, so maybe time for me to diy. Have an anti downdraft cowl on top. Anyone else do this, and have advice as to best kit to buy. Thanks

FreeBear

frugal90 wrote: »

I have a multifuel stove, connected at the back up into the chimney which has a stainless liner. Sweep charging £60 now, so maybe time for me to diy. Have an anti downdraft cowl on top. Anyone else do this, and have advice as to best kit to buy. Thanks

Had mine swept earlier this year for £45. His price is going up to £50 next year... Regardless of price, he provides a certificate of sweeping which is required by the household insurance - They would most likely refuse a claim in the event of a fire without that certificate.

That said, I sweep my flue on a fairly regular basis, and use a cheap set of rods from ebay along with a suitably sized brush. I'm guessing you have a 90° bend at the back of the stove ?
In which case, you'll need a very flexible rod system or be able to disconnect the flue from the stove (unless there is a soot door). It will make a lot of mess and the soot will get everywhere.

motherofstudents

I didn’t know it was required by the household insurance. We have ours done (£50) around Sept/Oct but last year we didn’t get round to it as we were away from home quite a bit following the birth of our first grandchild. I will ring the chimney sweep tomorrow. Daren’t let my husband loose on it.

Davesnave

There's nothing about chimney sweeping in my insurance docs, but there would be if I had a thatched roof. That's what EreeBear may be thinking about.

My flue's swept once a year for £60, but as part of that, the sweep goes up on the roof and thoroughly cleans the encrustation off the fairly dense bird cowl that would otherwise block-up, so good value from my POV. I dislike heights and it's only a bungalow, but the chimney is too tall for me.

Another sweep said he could do the cowl with an electric rotating brush, but he got it stuck, then it ripped the flue seal out of the stove, so I didn't go down that route or employ him again. A HETAS cert doesn't mean much on it's own I'm afraid.

Jackmydad

Davesnave wrote: »

There's nothing about chimney sweeping in my insurance docs, but there would be if I had a thatched roof. That's what EreeBear may be thinking about.

My flue's swept once a year for £60, but as part of that, the sweep goes up on the roof and thoroughly cleans the encrustation off the fairly dense bird cowl that would otherwise block-up, so good value from my POV. I dislike heights and it's only a bungalow, but the chimney is too tall for me.

Another sweep said he could do the cowl with an electric rotating brush, but he got it stuck, then it ripped the flue seal out of the stove, so I didn't go down that route or employ him again. A HETAS cert doesn't mean much on it's own I'm afraid.

I'm not bothered about heights, but as you say even a bungalow chimney is surprisingly high.
You need the proper access gear as well, and a roof ladder for a bungalow tends to need to be longer.

Must say I leave roof stuff to the professionals these days.

As for certs and whatever not meaning much, that seems to be a problem whoever you employ and for what you employ them these days.
Personal recommendation's still the best, and then make sure they have the right bits of paper.

FreeBear

Davesnave wrote: »

There's nothing about chimney sweeping in my insurance docs, but there would be if I had a thatched roof. That's what FreeBear may be thinking about.

Had a quick scan of the insurance bumpf from Legal & General - Can't find any specific mention of having a chimney swept in the policy, but it is mentioned in the accompanying policy booklet. I take the view that it is better to cover one's backside and not give the insurer a way of weaseling out of paying for a claim.