Clean Sweep Vac Services 01462 671555
Chimney Sweeping
Have you cleaned your chimney lately?
Stay safe, Call your chimney sweep
Sweeping your chimney regularly will help you to;
avoid a chimney stack fire
avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning caused by blockages in the flue
prolong the life of your chimney or flue liner if you have a wood burning or multifuel stove and validate the warranty, especially if you clean it at the end of the burning season (Summer)
increase the efficiency of your fire and thus get your fire burning brighter and warmer so that you use less fuel
Book your HETAS chimney sweep appointment online and find out when we are in your area. We sweep up to 20 miles from Hitchin and Letchworth.
Great chimney sweep service, will be booking in again for next year.- Andy Letchworth
Very pleased with the sweep and service of the multifuel stove. Looks a treat! Friendly and efficient service and very reasonably priced - Col in Hitchin
How often should I get my chimney swept?
It really depends on what you burn, how often you use it and the size of your flue. If you do not use your open fire or stove very often then once a year is probably often enough.
If you use your fire every day in the Winter months as a source of heating, rather than a 'feel good' experience then ask your chimney sweep for advice or see our recommended guidelines below.
A sweep takes around 30 - 45 mins for chimney or flue liner, depending on how dirty it is.
You should also make sure that you have a carbon monoxide detector fitted and working, in addition to your smoke alarm. Click here to buy one online.
Open fires without a chimney liner
Open fires without a liner burning only smokeless fuel : sweep once every year
burning only seasoned wood : sweep once every year
burning bitumous coal or a combination of fuels : sweep every 3 months when in daily use and once before the burning season starts again.
If you need fuel we have recommended some local suppliers below
Multi-fuel or Wood burners without a chimney liner
If you do not have a stainless steel liner, clay or pumice lined chimney your installation may be illegal and possibly unsafe.
Ask your chimney sweep for advice after he has swept the chimney. There are no guidelines to refer to. To get a quote for lining your chimney by a HETAS registered engineer contact us via our HETAS installer website.
Check your logs are ready to burn with a moisture meter.
Buy one online.
Oil or Gas Fires and light users of solid fuel fires
Gas / Oil fires - Sweep once every year.
Buy a carbon monoxide alarm for your gas or oil fire online.
Open fires, Multi-fuel or Wood burners with a chimney liner (or rigid flue)
Appliances with a liner, burning only smokeless fuel : sweep once every year at the end of the burning season
burning only seasoned wood : sweep at the end of the season and every 3 months after you start using it again
burning bitumous coal : sweep at the end of the season in Summer and then half way through the winter season
burning a combination of fuels : ask your chimney sweep for advice after he has swept the chimney. There are no guidelines to refer to
Burn your stove at it's optimum level by using a stove pipe thermometer. Buy one online.
your guys have been great - polite, helpful and tidy. Thank you! - Richard in Hitchin
Can my old wood burner be swept?
If you have an old wood burner that was installed before 2010 then it is likely that it doesn't meet current building regulations and safety standards. Your appliance should have a physical connection to the top of the chimney to make sure that gases and soot are fully burnt and don't gather in the chimney causing flammable areas that can cause it to set on fire. Stoves installed after 2010 tend to have a flexible liner fitted, or connect to clay liner blocks and are safer to use as well as burning fuel more efficiently; saving you money as well as the planet.
When stoves are fitted, the installer must make sure that there is access for future sweeping to remove the soot and debris in the chimney or flue. Stoves without a liner must therefore have a sweeping hatch, usually in the register plate. If you do not have access then we will not be able to sweep your chimney but will still be charged for the inspection, advice and certification.
The chimney sweep is not allowed (by law) to un-assemble an installation made by another engineer, in order to sweep the chimney and will, instead, declare it unsafe to use.
warning
unsafe to use
Don't forget to get your chimney swept regularly.
Thank you once again for a first class service - Simon in Clothall
You recently cleaned our chimney and did a brilliant job. We will always use you from now on. - Rob in WGC
Where can I get local fuel?
Coal and wood has now disappeared from the supermarket and the local garage, to prevent the sale of poor quality fuel that releases pollutants into the air that we breathe. Bitumous or house coal has now been banned making the UK burn only smokeless coal and / or seasoned wood. It makes sense to keep our local companies in business and to keep your carbon footprint as small as it can be. Here are local fuel suppliers in Hertfordshire that we ourselves use and trust.
Where can I get seasoned wood?
Wood supplies are low at the moment but try:
- Phillip Allen (Tree Surgeon). Arlesey. Call - 01462 834411
- Mr Goddard. Pirton. Call - 01462 712692
- Evolution Tree Works. Call - 01462 637357
"I highly recommend. - Neil in Hitchin"
When is the chimney sweep in your area?
Take a look at our map to see if we sweep your town or village.
For more about Chimney Sweeping in Hertfordshire visit
https://www.facebook.com/chimneysweephertfordshire
It is reassuring that you guys do look after everything from the burner it self to the top of the pot. - Martin in Haynes
"A marvellous chimney sweep and repair. Thank you so much - Ellie in Knebworth"
"I moved house and didn't realise you would still travel to Buntingford to sweep my chimney for me!" - Joan in Buntingford