A tale of two chimneys and how to sweep your own chimney
Years ago when the cottage was being renovated I was advised by the foreman that my chimneys needed relining.
“Don’t worry Fiona. It won’t make a mess. You need to get it done though. A dodgy chimney could be dangerous. I happen to know a man that has a company that relines chimneys I’ll give him a ring.”
The Chimney Lining Friend came and examined the chimneys carefully. His face was grave.
“Both chimneys need relining. As there are two, I can do you a deal - both for £3,500.00.”
I trusted the foreman but I wavered.
The Chimney Lining Friend swept on, “The chimneys need to be swept before we start. We could do this for £100. Perhaps you’d like to use your own sweep?”
I decided to use my own guys. They arrived on the Friday before the relining was scheduled to begin.
They swept the kitchen chimney and examined it carefully.
“This chimney is old but we’ve seen much worse. It doesn’t need relining.”
I was surprised.
They discovered that the chimney in the sitting room was new. It had been built inside the old inglenook fireplace.
“No wonder the fire draws so well.”
They warned me that if The Chimney Lining Friend insisted on coming on Monday he would probably want to do a smoke test. Apparently teeny wafts of smoke can escape into the attic.
“If this happens, don’t be alarmed. It’s normal. Stick to your guns. Don’t have the chimneys relined!”
The foreman arrived before the friend. Despite my protestations, he insisted on waiting for TCLF. We sat in silence until the large deluxe car reversed into the drive.
They did the test. Twice. Not a waft of smoke drifted into the attic. The building company was one of the best in Cambridge. The gangs were good, arriving on time as scheduled and the quality of the work was excellent. But I’d never use the company again. Of course there are backhanders in the building industry but faking the need for a job is just not on. The relationship with the foreman was never quite the same again.
In fact the experience put me off having the chimneys touched for years.
When Danny arrived he mentioned in passing that he always swept the chimneys back home in rural West Cork. Since then we have swept our chimneys ourselves. If you have a standard, traditional brick built chimney it’s really easy. The fancy vacuum cleaners and screens are unnecessary. All you need are a set of rods, a chimney sweeping brush and an old sheet or newspapers taped in place in front of the fireplace. Our drain rods double as chimney sweeping rods. Total outgoings are around half the price of just one professional clean.
You can buy a good brush at a decent builder’s merchants. They are also available online and there you will find a lot of dire warnings about DIY chimney cleaning (they are generally written by chimney sweeps).
There is one golden rule for chimney sweeping and drain clearing. Keep turning the rods in a clockwise direction. This ensures that the rods do not become separated and get lost in the chimney or drain. The Penultimate Paramour turned the rods the wrong way once. A disaster that was averted by sheer determination and hours of patience.
I put a layer of newspaper in the fire basket and sling an old sheet across the outside of the fireplace (this protects the room from stray soot). I work from behind this screen. Then I screw the brush head to the first rod, stick it up the chimney and add another rod so that I can access the contraption easily.
Sweep up and down, and twist clockwise as you add the rods and push the brush up the chimney. This dislodges the soot and creosote. It’s worth spending a few minutes on each metre of chimney. Finally the brush bursts out of the chimney pot. Nip outside and check that it’s sticking out. On the downward path repeat the sweeping twisting action. As you pull the brush down, remove the rods as you go. Finally examine the chimney with a powerful flashlight to check that it is really clean.
If you want to clean your own chimney you need to be practical. If it’s an old chimney full of nooks and crannies you may need to use different brushes or a chimney vacuum. I have never cleaned a metal flue. It may be worth getting a professional sweep in once and watch carefully what he/she does. Then you will know exactly how a pro would tackle your chimney and perhaps you can take up the reins next time.
Can you do this with a wood burning stove? As my parents could save a fortune.
We got a set of drain rods nearly 2 years ago because we had a moat house, and the moat shouldn’t have been there. The drains in the roads get blocked with leaves swept down the road by the rain and we get a bit of rain here in Wales
Now we have put in 2 wood burners and at some stage we need to sweep them. How often do you sweep? One is metal and has a flue plate in it to aid a brush going up it. The other is an old fashioned chimney with a stove underneath it and no plate. I wonder how we clean this?? Any ideas??
Shocking, isn’t it, how much some people are prepared to overcharge (the swish car is always a bit of a giveaway)
We sweep our chimneys, too. And my husband installed the metal flue liners himself (easy, if you’ve got a long enough ladder and a piece of rope as long as the chimney to pull the monster coil of liner down) … he did one last month for our new woodburner
Joanna
We have a woodburner, and we sweep our own chimney (or rather stovepipe) ourselves, after the chimney cleaner quoted us 40 euros for 10 minutes’ work. Depending on design of the stove and pipe, getting the brush round the first corner can be a little awkward, but it’s plain sailing after that, and less messy than cleaning an open fireplace — we spread newspaper around but don’t bother with a sheet. We do it once a year, just before lighting the fire for ther first time, since birds like to sit on top of it during the summer
I don’t know if this applies in the UK, but you should check your insurance; in France you may not be covered for chimney fires if you can’t prove you’ve swept your chimney regularly!
There you are on a money saving challenge and this guy drives up and tries to whisk away a whopping £3,500.00 for no reason whatsoever. It makes me really angry.
(Do check your insurance, Fiona. That point was on my mind too as I was reading your post.)
Hi Fiona -
unfortunately in terms of insurance, Casalba & Veronica are correct: you may invalidate it if you attempt to clear your chimneys, yourselves. I know for a fact this is the case for business premises - as recently some friends almost lost their B&B as a result of this legislation.
So anyone who lives on a working farm, or smallholding with holiday cottages, a B&B, a ‘cottage industry’ or even simply working from home could find their policies null & void in the event of an accident - if they clean their own chimneys & the premises is damaged or worse still destroyed, by fire. And if guests died as a result….it doesn’t bear thinking about.
Incidentally, witnessing the appearance of the brush head from the chimney is said to bring the owner of the property good luck - the reason for said symbolism on wedding days.
Once upon a time when I lived in the Cotswolds & during the most miserable period of my life, the local sweep (fifth year running) yet again insisted I stand out in a miserably drizzling rain to witness this fortuitous event.
I shrewishly declined the offer…only to meet my husband-to-be, the very same year. And here we are still,now with our own little Ffarm & not one but three chimneys to sweep - & you’ve guessed it, these days I steadfastly refuse to witness the emergence of the brush…I value my marriage too highly!
On the insurance question, we do sweep our own chimney, so in theory we couldn’t prove we’d swept it in the event of a chimney fire. But given that a) we *do* sweep it every year, and b) the smoke from our woodburner is completely enclosed in a metal stovepipe all the way to the top of the chimney, the chances of a chimney fire destroying the house are extremely small!
The whole business of proof is pretty vague anyway. In France you can buy “logs” which purport to clean your chimney when you burn them in the grate. They come with a ready-made certificate saying that you’ve cleaned your chimney …
Jolly Good Ladies!!! Fabulous that you have the gumption to tackle a demanding job!!
First off, let me state that I am a Chimney Sweep. I have been doing it for over 20 years.
As regards to the CHIMNEY SWEEPING LOG, do NOT TRUST that to “Clean your Chimney”. It even says so on the package! There is NO SUBSTITUTE for an INSPECTION. Does the “LOG” have eyes to tell you your Flashing is lifting? Your MORTAR is cracked (and allowing water penetration)? Does your “LOG” tell you that the Birds have made nests in your Chimney? Those are only SOME of the aspects of a Professional Chimney Sweep’s responsibilities for checking.
These days, we also use VIDEO INSPECTION. And ROTO-BRUSHING too.
I have a feeling the “Ready Made Certificate” would be viewed as highly as toilet paper.
On the off chance that they need proof of maintenance,…..take before and after pictures, or video tape the whole procedure.(Again…..know what you are looking for,…and at.
It is my opinion that a chimney should be professionally cared for, not some lackluster attempt by someone who only values saving money over the need to protect their family’s life, their pet’s life,…and quite possibly the lives of their neighbours.
Why else would you think the INSURANCE companies mandate Chimney care?
Hi S.O.L.,
It depends on whether a flue had been fitted. A poorly fitted flue can cause chimney fires as the debris can settle between the old chimney and the new flue.
As you will see from the comments below a chimney flue can be cleaned with the right brushes quite easily.
Hello Samantha
We cleaned out the chimney of our wood burning stove today. It has a plate above the wood burning stove and metal plate to ease cleaning but it’s a bit of a palaver as you need to hoover the plate and the nooks and crannies in the chimney after sweeping. Our house dates from the seventeenth century but it is easy to see if you have swept the chimney clean with a decent torch or flashlight.
The stove that just is attached to an old fashioned chimney I would take professional advise about this. You do need to be able to check that the chimney is squeaky clean (there is usually a plate set in the chimney for access). In your case I’d employ a recommended chimney sweep and watch what he does.
Hello Joanna,
If you know how to do it, why not?
Hi Veronica
Good on you! In England insurance policies usually only require chimney sweep receipts for thatched houses and buildings that rent out rooms (B&B, conferences etc.)
We seep our main chimney regularly. Our kitchen one has been ignored for years as we didn’t use it. Just been spring cleaned today. Chimney cleaning for a straightforward, relatively straight chimney isn’t rocket science. Fires tend to start in chimneys that haven’t been maintained.
Hello Casalba
It was a rotten trick that the builders tried to pull. But this was years ago.
We will always sweep our chimney. I feel much more confident that it is really clean if I clean them. Our insurance isn’t effected.
Hi Jo
If you are running a commercial enterprise from your home that involves other people working/staying in your premises you have different rules applied to you and that is right. A dirty chimney could easily cause a fire.
But we are not in the same boat as you. We don’t want chimney fires either, that’s why we clean our main chimney regularly! We have just started using our wood burning stove again and this will be cleaned every six months along with the main one.
Hello Veronica
If you clean your chimney regularly and your flue has been installed properly, it’s highly unlikely that you will have a chimney fire.
Hi Dan
Good to hear from a Chimney Sweep at last.
You make some pertinent points but I think that you are missing the point here. Self sufficiency isn’t just about saving money.
I’m a decorator and loads of people that I know do their own decorating. I don’t chastise them. Why not do it yourself? Sweeping your own chimney doesn’t mean sticking a brush on some rods and pushing it up the chimney, hoping for the best. Any one with any sense would take the time to read up on the subject. Research the best way to clean their own particular chimney and so on. There is loads of information out there on the internet.
I don’t have a video camera that can film how clean my chimney is but I’m pretty confident that my chimney is clean. It’s a straightforward chimney. If it was an ancient chimney with loads of stopping off points and plates I wouldn’t attempt to clean it and would call in a professional. Even then I’d still want to learn how to clean it myself. I enjoy maintaining my home.
You make a good point with your before and after photographs and videos.
Your point about neighbours and family and pets is hugely emotive. Only a madman would put anyone at risk. Most people that I know, who clean there own chimneys, have assessed the risks and still prefer to sweep their chimneys themselves.
Insurance companies mandate chimney care because lighting fires beneath an unswept chimney is a huge potential fire risk.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi, we’ve just finished cleaning out chimney. We’ve recently discovered that there used to be a second chimney pot next to the existing one but now there is just a hole. Our fire doesn’t draw very well so we wondered if a second pot would help or if we would be better off just having it capped? Does any one know?
Francesca
if you have a chimney that potentially opens out into 2 pots you probably need to get a builder or sweep to look at it properly. most chimneys terminate at only 1 pot.Could be that the leaves seperating the 2 chimneys have crumbled away. this will need professional attention.
Thankyou - you have just saved me a fortune on the “professional” advice I received last week. I investigated further and turned out I didn’t need my chimney re-lined at all! Best regards, Graham (Norfolk UK)
can anyone tell me if I can puchase a hoover that I can clean my log burner out with and suck up the ashes as I am disable and find it difficult to clean
is there a tin hoover that will take the hot ash would be gratful for any news of a hoover that copes with hat ashes
You can get an attachment that is said to be suitable for most hoovers from any branch of Machine Mart: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ash-can-filter-for-vacuum-cleaners/path/flus-and-accessories
I’ve not used it so don’t know how good it is, though it does point out it is only suitable once the ashes have cooled.
Hope that helps.
Hi Francesca
I think that Chris has answered your comment.
Hi Chris
Thanks for your input.
Hello Graham
It’s great when this happens!
Hi Angela
I don’t think that you will find anything on the domestic market that will deal with hot ashes. Bar has given you an answer for cold ashes.
Incidentally if you have access to logs you don’t need to clean out the ashes for months. You can use the warm ashes to light your fire in the morning.
Hello Bar
Thank you for your input.
http://www.tamarbrushes.co.uk/
As a Chimney Sweep i understand the importance of using the right tool for the job - cheap one size fit all brushes etc are not up to the job - the correct rod - size brush - and stiffness of brush need to be discovered - the link at the top of this post will lead to a company that make the best in the UK. May i also point out that soot can cause cancer so a mask should be warn and if possible use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.Chimney fires are on the increase so any sweeping will help but there is a reason why i carry 5K worth of equiptment because i am a full time sweep and work to a high standard. Take care all.
Having been in the fire service for 20 years, I’ve lost count of the number of chimney fires I’ve been to.
It is essential to have chimneys cleaned thoroughly at least once a year, and more frequently if the chimney is used regularly.
Look out for hidden ledges that may accumulate soot and debris, birds nests, faulty liners (cracked) and flues from wood burners that stop just above the registry plate. The later is the cause of numerous fires, as soot will accumulate on top of the plate.
I’m not adverse to DIY cleaning, if you know the chimney and your confident to do so then you’ll know its been done properly. But, in anything other than a straight forward chimney and if you’re not confident, then get in an expert. A video of the chimney is probably the only way to be sure that its really clean when there are hidden recesses.
Hello James
Thanks for your advice and warnings. Our chimneys are fairly straightforward so I feel confident that we are sweeping them well. But you are right, everyone should be beware of the hazards and if there are any questions call the experts in. Even if it’s to ask whether it’s safe to sweep a particular chimney themselves.
Hello Jeremy
Chimney fires are a real hazard.
In the olden days country folk would light a fire in their chimney to clean it!
But seriously, I take your point and agree. Only clean your own chimney if you are confident about the state of the chimneys in your house. Never sweep your chimney if you are not confident about what you are doing. And even if you are confident, you could have missed something so beware.
Hello Jeremy
You said “and flues from wood burners that stop just above the registry plate. The later is the cause of numerous fires, as soot will accumulate on top of the plate”
Our chimney (external brick affair) is unlined - we hope to have this done this year. Currently are flue pipe only goes six inches above the register plate. I could easily add another 1 or 2 metre long lengths of flue pipe to take it further up the chimney.
Would this be a wise stop-gap until relining?
Thanks
Tom