How often do you have your chimney swept?

theukmoog

theukmoog

theukmoog

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Had a multi-fuel burner installed last year and it is being used 2-3 evenings per week over the winter.

The chimney was swept prior to installation and was then completely lined as part of the installation.

With, say, 40-50 uses over the winter, burning the compressed hard wood briquettes, does it really need sweeping every year?
 
I think the recommendation is for it to be swept once a year and to be honest for the sake of £50-odd it can’t do any harm, it would likely be more detrimental to not have it swept for another year.
 
Not had it done in ten years since it was lined aftercwe moved in. We probably light the fire two or theeectimes a month over the winter so hardly seems worth it.

If I was lighting the fire as often as you op I'd get it done once ever 1-2 years just to be on the safe side.
 
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I do mine every year (Bungalow- so go on roof and sweep down) and I rarely get half a bucket of soot out of it - was same at the old house and that was two stories and high loft - the fire is lit from mid afternoon every day as soon as cold weather comes.

Old boy over the road had a chimney fire - so council lined his chimney - he said he swept it twice a year but he burnt anything that would burn - Then he had another chimney fire but this was in between liner and chimney not far up from fire - seems when they lined it they never got rid of tar deposits on brickwork or put vermiculite down - So the council lined it again -- Notice now he is having logs delivered - He is retired and does gardening as a part time job so he burns his waste.
 
mate in the fire service says that most chimney fires occur on chimneys that have recently been swept.
the reason being the soot that the sweeps clean off protects the layer of tar underneath.
the tar that remains after sweeping is then exposed and more likely to catch fire.
 
BigBoy said:
If you want the stove to burn properly and reduce the risk of issues you need it swept at least once a year.
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Surely that depends on how often you light it? Blanket annual sweeping makes no sense if it is lit once a month for example.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Surely that depends on how often you light it? Blanket annual sweeping makes no sense if it is lit once a month for example.
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Any HETAS registered installer will tell you to sweep once a year at minimum no matter how often you light it. Especially if your chimney is not lined.
 
MassiveJim said:
mate in the fire service says that most chimney fires occur on chimneys that have recently been swept.
the reason being the soot that the sweeps clean off protects the layer of tar underneath.
the tar that remains after sweeping is then exposed and more likely to catch fire.
Click to expand...

So is he saying not to ever have the flue swept?
 
When I had a Parkray room heater I had the chimney swept every 12-18 months but growing up in the 90s we had solid fuel CH and the chimney only ever got swept if it got blocked.

You need to make sure whoever you get to sweep it is HETAS or NACS approved and issues a certificate. You don't just want any cowboy with a set of rods poking around which could end up making it worse.

Also check your home insurance as some state that chimneys need sweeping every year if in use to keep your insurance valid.
 
MassiveJim said:
pretty sure my post doesn't say that.
let me check it.

nope, it definitely doesn't say that ;)
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It didn't explicitly say it, but it certainly implies it.

What was the point in you telling us that recently swept chimneys are more likely to catch fire if it wasn't to suggest that it's better to not have them swept?

Edit: Unless you're trying to imply it without getting blamed when OP's house burns down when it isn't swept? :p
 
kinobestew123 said:
It didn't explicitly say it, but it certainly implies it.

What was the point in you telling us that recently swept chimneys are more likely to catch fire if it wasn't to suggest that it's better to not have them swept?

Edit: Unless you're trying to imply it without getting blamed when OP's house burns down when it isn't swept? :p
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I'm afraid I can offer no more knowledge that what I have already offered.
I remember discussing this with him last time I visited, can't remember anything else about the conversation. sorry
 
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