Chimney Sweeping

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2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 8:52 pm Post subject: Chimney Sweeping
Wasn't sure where to put this so hope this is ok. Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost to have a chimney swept and how often it needs to be done?

Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5266
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 8:57 pm Post subject:
I had mine done last October, it cost £30. I have it done every autumn before I start lighting the fire again. I have a multifuel stove.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18395

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 8:59 pm Post subject:

How long is a piece of string ?

Last time I had chimneys swept, ISTR it was £50, but that may have been for 2 chimneys rather than 1.
ETA : if Marion's cost £30, my figure will have been for 2 chimneys.

It depends whether you have an open fire or a woodburner (which is a lot cleaner-burning), and what you are burning on/in it. If you burn only seasoned hardwood in a woodburner with an airwash system, there will be hardly any soot.

That's why I've had mine swept once in 10 years, and even then it didn;t really need it.

Last edited by gil on Wed Jan 04, 12 9:00 pm; edited 1 time in total

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42111
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:00 pm Post subject:
£35 last time we had it done. How often it's needed varies depending on what you're burning.

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:00 pm Post subject:
I was expecting it to be more than that. I am not sure what we have to be honest, it is just an open fireplace with a metal grate at the front. There are some black soft and light blocks in it and lots of ashes under them and up in the chimney

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18395

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:03 pm Post subject:
I think with an open fire in a grate, once a year is a good idea. I'm going to borrow a friend's sweeps brushes and DIY soon

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4367
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:04 pm Post subject:
Or buy a set of brushes and do it yourself.

Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5266
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:05 pm Post subject:

Ty Gwyn wrote:

Or buy a set of brushes and do it yourself.

Much messier than a sweep with a hoover though. I've done it myself in the past... never again.

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:06 pm Post subject:
I have a small child I could send up there

baldybloke

Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 1387
Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 9:48 pm Post subject:
Depends on how much you use the fire and the type of fuel you use. I only use my woodburner weekends and holiday's so I get it done once a year in the autumn. I think I paid £25 last time.

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 12 10:22 pm Post subject:

Marionb wrote:

Ty Gwyn wrote:

Or buy a set of brushes and do it yourself.

Much messier than a sweep with a hoover though. I've done it myself in the past... never again.

We do our own it's always been quick and easy and as long as you've a supply of old protective covering for immediate surrounds we've never had a problem. As long as you always remember to twirl your brush in the same direction as you screwed it on --I know someone who didn't.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21298
Location: Ynys Môn

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 12 12:22 am Post subject:
Once a year for coal fires and twice for wood - as a general guide. No idea about cost as I sweep both ours, at set of rods and brush is about £15-£20.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 12 8:49 am Post subject:

DIY or chimney sweep ... depends on what your flooring is, really!! In France, we had tiled floors, so did it ourselves once a year, and had the sweep for the other sweeping of the year. In France, your insurance is invalid for a fire that's started because of your fireplace if you haven't had it swept by a sweep in the past 12 months!

Here, I wouldn't dream of doing it myself; we have a cream carpet in the room where the fireplace is!!!!

The general guide certainly used to be once for coal, twice for wood, monthly for an open fire.

I'm going back to 1980, mind, when I studied such things as part of my Home Economics course!!

Annette H

Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Posts: 245
Location: Worcestershire

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 12 9:32 am Post subject:
£40 a time here. We have ours done twice yearly as we have had chimney fires in the past and they are very scary . We have a slightly quirky chimney and the sweep always has to put a fair bit of effort into it. This is with an open fire burning coal and well seasoned wood.

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 12 10:32 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone

we have carpet too and having stuck my arm up there to see if it was actually open and not just looked like I don't think I fancy doing it myself. Could only realistically use it if I can get a fire guard that fixes fairly securely to the wall as I cna't be sure my son wouldn't try and touch it... What are the differences in burning different things and would any be likely to give problems to anyone with asthma?

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