FAQs
Chimney Sweeping & Wood Burner FAQs
How often should I have my chimney swept?
For most wood-burning stoves and open fires, I recommend at least once a year. If you burn a lot of wood, especially through the winter, twice a year is often sensible. Regular sweeping helps prevent chimney fires, improves appliance performance and keeps your flue working safely.
A clean chimney is a safe chimney. How often it needs sweeping varies widely — it depends on what you burn and how you burn it. The **Solid Fuel Association **guidance is a good starting point
- Wood — Every three months in use
- Smokeless coal — Once a year
- Coal — Never burn coal in a stove
- Artificial logs — Every three months in use
- Demolition timber — Every three months in use (Never burn painted, treated, or proofed timber)
Burning wet or green wood should be avoided wherever possible. It produces excess smoke, accelerates soot and creosote build up, and increases the risk of chimney fires.
If you’re unsure, the safest rule is simple: get it swept by a qualified chimney sweep there are 250 in the UK, 10 in the West of England but only one qualified Chimney Sweep in Bath - Swept Away
How much does chimney sweeping cost in Bath?
A standard Chimney Sweep and service check with an insurance industry recognised sweep certificate is £75, which is average for our area.
Do wood-burning stoves need sweeping if they're used regularly?
Yes. In fact, regular use often means more sweeping is needed. Burning wood creates soot and creosote deposits which build up inside the flue. These deposits can restrict airflow and increase the risk of a chimney fire.
How do I know if my chimney needs sweeping?
Common signs include poor draw, smoke entering the room, difficulty lighting fires, excessive soot deposits or unusual smells from the fireplace or stove. Even if none of these are present, annual sweeping is still recommended.
Can a blocked chimney cause carbon monoxide problems?
Absolutely. A blocked or damaged flue can prevent harmful gases from escaping safely. Carbon monoxide has no smell or colour, making it particularly dangerous. Regular sweeping and inspection help identify problems before they become serious.
What is creosote and why is it dangerous?
Creosote is a tar-like substance that forms when wood smoke cools inside the chimney. It's highly combustible and one of the leading causes of chimney fires. Professional sweeping removes these deposits before they become a problem.
What type of wood should I burn in my stove?
Always burn properly seasoned or kiln-dried wood with a moisture content below 20%. Wet wood produces more smoke, more soot and more creosote while delivering less heat.
How can I tell if my firewood is dry enough?
The best way is with a moisture meter. Firewood should generally be below 20% moisture content. Dry logs are lighter, often show cracks at the ends and produce a cleaner, hotter burn.
Do you issue chimney sweeping certificates?
Yes. Following a sweep, I can provide a certificate recognised by insurers and appliance manufacturers where required.
How long does chimney sweeping take?
Most chimney sweeps take around 45 minutes to an hour, although this varies depending on the appliance, chimney condition and whether a more detailed inspection is required. Be wary of sweeps who complete the job in 20 minutes or less. While this may seem convenient, it often means important stages of the process have been skipped. At Swept Away, we take the time needed to do the job properly, ensuring your chimney is as clean, safe, and serviceable as possible before we leave.
Is chimney sweeping messy?
Not when it's done properly. I use professional equipment and dust-control methods to keep your home clean. Most customers are pleasantly surprised by how little mess there is.
Can birds nest in chimneys?
Yes, particularly during spring and early summer. Jackdaws are especially fond of chimney pots. A nest can completely block a flue and make a fireplace unsafe to use. If you suspect a blockage, don't light a fire until it's been checked.
Why does my wood burner glass keep turning black?
Usually it's caused by wet wood, poor airflow or burning the stove at too low a temperature. Using quality dry logs and operating the stove correctly will often keep the glass much cleaner. In some cases, the glass seal may need replacing.
What is a chimney liner and do I need one?
A chimney liner helps carry smoke and combustion gases safely from your appliance to the outside. Whether you need one depends on the condition of the chimney and the efficiency of teh appliance being used. A professional inspection is the best way to determine what's required.
Can I sweep my own chimney?
You can, but most homeowners lack the specialist equipment and experience needed to identify developing faults and avoid damage to delicate linings. A professional sweep doesn't just remove soot – we're also looking for signs of damage, blockages, liner defects and potential safety issues.
Why choose Swept Away Chimney Sweep?
I'm a genuine local, fully qualified chimney sweep with NVQ qualifications and HETAS certification. With years of hands-on experience working on everything from listed cottages to modern stove installations, I believe in doing the job properly, giving honest advice and treating every home with care and respect.
Why do some chimney sweeping jobs cost more than others?
Every chimney is different. Factors such as the appliance type, the condition of the flue, accessibility, the amount of soot and tar present, and whether additional inspection work is required can all affect the time involved. We provide transparent pricing and never add hidden charges.
What's included in a standard chimney sweep?
Our chimney sweeping service is tailored to your chimney and includes a no-mess sweep of the flueway followed by the careful removal of soot using professional vacuum equipment. We normally leave a small bed of ash in wood-burning appliances as wood burns more efficiently on a bed of ash, although all ash can be removed on request.
Minor adjustments, servicing and small repairs are carried out free of charge wherever possible by your chimney sweep, who is also a qualified HETAS service technician. We also check that everything is operating safely and provide advice on fuel quality, firewood storage and appliance operation.
Why are inglenook fireplaces more expensive to sweep?
Large inglenook fireplaces can be exceptionally challenging to sweep properly and are often very demanding on both equipment and personnel. We prefer to sweep inglenooks between January and August so that work can usually be started and completed during a single visit.
Where an inglenook sweep costing £150 exceeds two hours, additional time is charged at £75 per hour.
Why can heavily tarred inglenook chimneys require multiple visits?
If an inglenook chimney has been neglected for many years, it may not be possible to remove all tar deposits safely during a single visit. In many cases, the safest approach is to burn suitable quantities of smokeless fuel and sweep the chimney two or three times per season over two or three years.
There are no chemical or mechanical shortcuts that can remove heavy tar deposits without risking damage to the delicate fabric of the flueway.
Can a chimney liner be installed in a heavily tarred chimney?
Sometimes a chimney liner can be wrapped to help protect it during installation, which may speed up the process. However, this is not always possible.
In some cases, a practical alternative is to install a multifuel appliance without a liner and burn smokeless fuel, together with small amounts of kiln-dried firewood, while having the chimney swept every three months until conditions are suitable for a liner installation.
Are there chemical treatments available to get rid of the tar?
Various chemical chimney treatments are available that claim to break down tar and creosote deposits. However, we generally favour mechanical cleaning and proven sweeping methods wherever possible. Our priority is to recommend solutions that are practical, effective, and considerate of the well being of our customers, their families, and the wider environment.
What's included in a Level 1 Chimney Inspection?
A Level 1 Inspection includes:
- Review of available paperwork
- External visual inspection with feet kept safely on the ground
- Safety and compliance checks
- Dismantling, sweeping and cleaning where required
- Examination of soot and debris deposits
- Reassembly of the appliance
- Brief camera inspection of the flueway
- Type 2 smoke evacuation test
- Ventilation and CO alarm checks
- Detailed PDF report sent by email and WhatsApp
Why does a Level 2 Inspection cost more than a Level 1 Inspection?
A Level 2 Inspection is significantly more comprehensive and time-consuming. It includes everything covered by a Level 1 Inspection, together with:
- Full flue camera survey
- Type 1 captive smoke leakage testing
- Detailed external inspection using a 4K drone and/or scaffold access where appropriate
- Recommissioning of the appliance where safe to do so
- Comprehensive written report
In some cases, chimney pots, cowls, register plates or coverings may need to be removed to fully assess the system.
Why can bird nest removals vary in cost?
Most bird nest removals are completed within one hour, and photographic evidence of the completed work is provided.
Occasionally, nests can be exceptionally large, compacted or difficult to access. These jobs are both technically and physically demanding and require specialised equipment that is expensive to maintain and replace, which can increase the time and cost involved.
When can live bird nests be removed?
In accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and out of genuine concern for local wildlife, live nest removals are normally carried out between September and February.
Before work begins, drone surveys and flue camera inspections are used to confirm that no eggs or chicks are present.
Why isn't door gasket replacement carried out during a chimney sweep?
Replacing a stove door rope seal requires the old gasket to be removed, the channel cleaned and prepared, and the new seal professionally fitted and bonded. The adhesive must then be allowed to cure correctly.
For this reason, door gasket replacement is usually identified during a chimney sweep visit and then carried out during a separate return appointment.
What is included in a stove door gasket replacement service?
Our door gasket replacement service includes:
- Removal of the old gasket
- Cleaning and preparation of the gasket channel
- Supply of a high-quality replacement rope seal
- Professional fitting and bonding
- Inspection of seal integrity and appliance operation
This service helps maintain appliance efficiency, safety and performance by ensuring an effective door seal.