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If you are the proud owner of a stove or open fire, then you’ll probably know that now and again, the chimney will need to be swept.
But just how often does it really need doing?
Having your chimney swept and cleaned isn’t only a matter of good housekeeping. It’s also vital to keep your home (and its inhabitants) safe. There are many dangers that come from leaving your chimney unswept. These include:
Structural Dangers
The acidic bi-products of combustion weakening masonry and chimney stacks. Over time weather can also have an impact on the structure of the chimney stack, cap or flue vent; so it is important to regularly check the condition of the chimney and surrounding areas.
Creosote Build-up
The tar-like substance is flammable and can also spread up into attics.
Debris
If your chimney has not been used for a while, birds and other creatures can nest in them and bring in twigs, pine cones and more.
This all comes down to the type of stove you have and what fuel it burns. As a rule of thumb, wood burning stoves should be swept every three months when in use. If you own a smokeless fuel or gas stove, it’s still important to have your chimney swept at least once a year.
When looking to hire a chimney sweep, always check for proper accreditation to ensure the work is done properly and safely. HETAS have a helpful database of approved chimney sweeps that cover areas across the UK.
The cleaner the burn, the cleaner the chimney. Regular sweeping is of course essential, but there are a few things you can do to reduce creosote build-up and keep the chimney cleaner for longer. Why not start by trying the following:
Throw a freshly felled log into the fire and you’ll more than likely be generating a lot more soot and creosote. The reason? Moisture. Season your logs and use a Valiant Moisture Meter to check that they’re dry enough (a reading below 20%) for a safe, clean burn.
It may seem obvious, but when you first light the fire it takes a while to get up to a good temperature. Cool air in the flue pip can increase the chances of creosote build-up. We recommend turning up the heat as soon as you can, and using a handy Valiant Stove Thermometer to ensure it stays at an optimum temperature during use.