We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

DIY Chimney Sweeping

Hi all,

Last October we moved into our first home, and were extremely lucky to have a beautiful multi-fuel burner already installed.

Prior to using, we hired a chimney sweep to have it cleaned, which cost £80.

I had thought about doing this myself. Saves money, saves some hassle (having to book someone to come to house), and can do more frequently if need be.

Does anyone here clean their own chimney or stove? If so, any recommendations on a good kit?

The Typhoon Power Sweeping Set seems to be quite popular:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chimney-Typhoon-Power-Sweeping-S4U/dp/B01HRVFFVI/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3AFXK3A6RSGAI&dchild=1&keywords=chimney+sweep+set&qid=1627826085&sprefix=chimney+sw,kitchen,149&sr=8-8&th=1

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • theonlywayisup
    theonlywayisup Posts: 16,032 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    We sweep our own and have done for nearly 20 years. 

    We use something like this https://www.stovesonline.co.uk/traditional-chimney-sweeping-rods-and-brushes-accessories.  It is relatively simple to do and if you make sure you also check the stove for any repairs then you should be able to keep on top of things.

    The only thing we couldn't do earlier this year was replace a cracked glass - and that was because the glass was secured by bolts that were inaccessible without a special tool.  Our local stove shop did the repair for a decent amount. 
  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 8,658 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper

    Prior to using, we hired a chimney sweep to have it cleaned, which cost £80.

    I had thought about doing this myself. Saves money, saves some hassle (having to book someone to come to house), and can do more frequently if need be.


    Manual rods and a brush work fine if you take care, no need for power devices.  Standard manual rods also have standard thread connectors on the ends, so you can easily get additional rods, brushes and drain clearance tools if needed. But take care to make sure what you are buying is standard screw thread rather than a proprietary connector, otherwise you will be limited to that type.

    You'll need to get a brush of the right diameter for your flue.

    Someone I know has a length of string firmly attached to their brush (a screw eye into the wooden head), keeping hold of one end of the string at the bottom.  Rods will fall back down the flue if they happen to become disconnected. Brushes tend to stay where they are, so the string allows a loose brush to be pulled out.

    In terms of saving money and hassle, you do need to check what type of flue terminal you have. There are various types of cowl or cap which might not be securely fixed. If your brush reaches the top of the chimney and dislodges the cowl/cap then you'll need to get someone in to replace it.  That could easily cost you more than £80 to put right if it happens.
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,660 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 1 August 2021 at 7:38PM
    @laurencewhymark
    I have one of those sets of brushes.
    Sweep my woodburner flue twice a year.

    I also bought one of these a soot cloth.
    https://www.tamarbrushes.co.uk/product/soot-cloth/
    I tape up the soot cloth with masking tape & do everything nice & gently.

  • paperclap
    paperclap Posts: 760 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks all!

    I suppose the only thing to consider by doing it myself is the lack of certification from a professional chimney sweeper.

    But, in all honesty, what could actually go wrong in cleaning the chimney? As long as I'm mindful of the chimney cowl, and find the right brush to suit the diameter of my flue... the brush will do the job itself, irrelevant of anything else. There isn't much "skill" to it really, is there?
  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,767 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you're using screw-together rods, and you find you have to twist the brush to get it to go up the chimney, then be very careful not to twist the rods the wrong way!
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 8,658 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Ectophile said:
    If you're using screw-together rods, and you find you have to twist the brush to get it to go up the chimney, then be very careful not to twist the rods the wrong way!

    Definitely!

    The risk of the couplings unscrewing can be reduced (but not eliminated) by wrapping a couple of turns of 50mm duct tape spiral-wise over the pair of couplers after they have been tightened. Make the wrapping direction so the loose end of the tape gets smoothed down (rather than plucked off) as the rods are rotated in the right direction.

    The duct tape could be considered OTT for chimney sweeping, but is a useful thing to do when clearing drains for which counter-rotation of the rods is often needed to free the end attachment from an obstruction.  I also think it would be a sensible consideration for a first-time DIY chimney sweep.
  • We hired a small Victorian boy to clean ours, he did a great job and didnt complain once 
  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 8,658 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    We hired a small Victorian boy to clean ours, he did a great job and didnt complain once 

    I hope you included his return air fare from Melbourne in what you paid him.

    Otherwise that would be pure exploitation.

  • Please remember that soot is a carcinogen and be careful handling it and disposing of it.
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,660 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Please remember that soot is a carcinogen and be careful handling it and disposing of it.
    😁😁😁😁
    My soot goes in the black bin.

Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.