Chimney sweeping

When should a chimney sweep be carried out?

There's no particularly good time to have your chimney swept. But to avoid waiting too long, it's better to do it in late spring rather than when autumn arrives! In any case, you should have your chimney swept at least once a year.

Why sweep a chimney?

Apart from the legal obligation, a properly maintained chimney avoids the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney fires.

What's more, by sweeping your chimney you're helping to combat pollution by reducing toxic fumes. At the same time, you avoid wasting energy, because deposits of soot, tar or ash inevitably lead to excessive fuel consumption. So having your chimney swept also saves you money! What's more, in the event of a claim, if the chimney flue has not been swept properly, your insurance may not cover the costs. The same applies to wood or pellet stoves. Burning a log or pellets can produce a lot of smoke or cause a chimney fire if the flues are poorly maintained.

How do you sweep a chimney?

The qualified chimney sweep inserts a hedgehog - the famous metal rod topped with a round brush - into the flue to clean it and remove soot, tar and any deposits. The flues in your chimneys must allow the smoke to escape properly.

Chimney sweeping is an essential part of ensuring that your heating appliances, whether wood-burning, gas-fired, pellet-burning or open fires, function properly and safely. It's important to have your chimney and flue swept regularly by a qualified professional to prevent the risk of fire and related poisoning.

During the heating season, the use of different fuels such as wood, fuel oil, pellets or logs can lead to clogging of the flue. This deposit of soot and tar on the inside walls of the flue can increase the risk of fire and reduce the efficiency of gas and smoke extraction. Chimney sweeping removes this residue and ensures that your heating systems are properly ventilated and maintained.

When it comes to chimney sweeping, it's important to use an approved and qualified company that complies with current standards and works to the highest professional standards. These professionals use a sweeping kit comprising a wire brush, a sweeping rod and a pole to clean the chimney, the flue and the pipes, depending on their length and diameter. They also check that the flue lining and connections are in good condition.

Annual chimney sweeping is compulsory for homes with wood-burning stoves, pellet stoves or oil-fired boilers. Insurance companies often require annual maintenance and the presentation of a certificate issued by an approved professional (the invoice serving as the certificate). If you fail to comply with this requirement, damage caused by a chimney fire may not be covered by your insurance company.

By calling in a professional in chimney sweeping, you avoid the risks associated with using a hoover or cleaning flues inappropriately. Good maintenance helps to prevent the risk of fires starting, soot deposits catching fire, flues becoming blocked and causing poisoning. What's more, regular chimney sweeping saves energy and ensures the longevity of your heating appliances.

For your own safety and that of the people around you, use a qualified company to sweep and maintain your chimney flues. Don't forget to install smoke detectors and follow the safety instructions for using your heating appliances safely, to avoid the risk of fire and poisoning.