Life of a Chimney Sweep

Why You CAN Still Have Your Chimney Swept & New Stove Fitted

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 19:44:54 GMT

Why You CAN Still Have Your Chimney Swept & New Stove Fitted

So here we go again. Another lockdown. Back to where we were in March.

Well, not exactly. There are some quite big differences, and they’re actually good news for sweeps, stove fitters and their customers.

Because unlike in March, when the government’s advice was much misunderstood – prompting many sweeps and installers to down tools – they have been more forthright this time.

They have now spelt out, in black and white, that people ARE able to work in other people’s homes. Crystal clear. End of.

Ah’, I hear you ask, ‘but is the work essential?’

Whether that work is deemed ‘essential’ or not is neither here nor there. ‘Essential’ only relates to physical commercial premises in this context – which is why fireplace shops may have to close (although many have to undertake home survey visits anyway so in practice the disruption isn’t a dealbreaker).

Similarly, whether the person carrying out the service is a ‘keyworker’ or not isn’t something which is being thrown into the mix this time, as schools aren’t shutting.

Even if schools did shut, being a keyworker never conferred any special rights on whether you are allowed to work or not. Plenty of non-designated keyworkers were able to carry on working last time.

The keyworker designation only gave you the right to be able to continue sending your child to school in the event of school closures.

So, please – disregard the words ‘essential’ or ‘keyworker’ when it comes to having a tradesperson in your home. They are massive red herrings.

Yes, it can be confusing when the government are telling you you can have a someone in your home to undertake a paid service, but you can’t have your friends around.

But those are the ‘rules’ as they stand ’ – basically if it’s a social occasion it’s banned; if it’s for work, it’s fine.

The explicit reference to working in people’s homes is good news and, to be frank, a bit of a relief.

The government has clearly listened to people like me who highlighted how their lack of clarity last time caused a massive, unnecessary upheaval for a lot of tradespeople.

Of course, some tradespeople may voluntarily shut down, as many did last time, but they are not legally obliged to.

Some may also have to rearrange appointments if they are self isolating, and that is to be expected of any professional tradesperson.

2020 has been an odd year for pretty much everyone. Working in people’s homes enables you to get a sense of people’s views and mindsets. And most I speak to now accept that we have to learn to live alongside the virus.

Yes there measures we can take to minimise risk but life has to continue.

As winter draws in, with more people working from home, many will want to enjoy the glow of a roaring fire.

And given the sort of year most people have had, the ability to enjoy this simple comfort safely and securely takes on even more importance…

Eco 2022 Ready Stoves

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 20:11:53 GMT

So what are SIA Eco Design Ready Stoves?

SIA Ecodesign Ready Scheme is a new scheme to increase environmental benefits of wood burning stoves.

Air Quality is extremley important and Eco Design Ready Stoves reduce emissions by 90%

Ecodesign is a European programme to lower emissions and the new regulation will come into force in the UK in 2022.

The Ecodesign Ready scheme is supported by DEFRA. The SIA Ecodesign Ready label will set the standard for the most environmentally friendly stoves available today.

For more information you can visit Stove Industry Alliance

Who do we recommend?

So when Saltfire said that all of their stoves were now updated to Ecodesign standard they probably wondered why I was apprehensive. These are great stoves and if it ‘aint broke and all that. The Saltfire stoves burn beautifully and can be set from “lazy flame” to ‘fully roaring” without any problem at all and I don’t really want that to change. Keeps everybody happy. So I rang Ross at Saltfire and asked him what changes were made to get them through the tests? “No changes” he said. “They all passed without modification”. “Well done”, I said, amazed. “But I thought it was supposed to be difficult?”. Ross said that the designs were designed with the new rules in mind and that it wasn’t a big problem. I do know that Saltfire test their new stoves to destruction and the Directors are pretty switched on when it comes to stove design.

So I was a little confused. If Saltfire can do it and the stoves perform as one is used to why do some of the others seem to be talking about these new stoves as if they need an operator manual? And why was I feeling as I’m missing something?

Ross also mentioned their new range: Peanut. Well there’s an interesting name for a range of stoves.

Where can i buy a Eco 2022 Ready Stove?

One of the best sites we have used is www.eco2022stoves.co.uk

The have a great selection of Eco Ready Stoves, including the full Saltfire & Peanut range which we would personally recommened as great value for money Eco Ready Stoves.

Why a Bird Guard Can Save You From SIX MONTHS of Misery

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:16:27 GMT

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There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to use a fireplace when you want. But imagine having to go without it from winter until the following autumn.

That’s the position you could find yourself in if birds decide to nest in your chimney.

Historically, the nesting season in the UK usually starts around March time. However, over recent years, jackdaws and starlings have started nesting much earlier – sometimes as early as January. They’re also getting more territorial, often returning to the same location year after year.

And once they start building a nest, it is protected by law. Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to destroy an active bird’s nest without good reason. Simply wanting to use your fire isn’t a good enough reason, and any professional sweep will not break the law.

The truth is, that if your chimney isn’t properly protected and you get caught out, then you simply have to be patient.

Nesting material in a flue

So how can you guard against all this?

One of the most most effective ways to keep your flue from being blocked by a bird nest is to have a suitable guard fitted. There are numerous makes and models on the market, and the type will depend on the sort of fuel you use and also the type of appliance fitted to your flue.

As a generally rule, the cheaper the cowl or birdguard, the less effective they are. Those which simply push into the chimney pot are, in my opinion, worse than useless as they either end up being blown or knocked off. Same with those which are bolted into the chimney pot. They corrode over time and are easily pushed off.

Clay inserts must also never be used, as they restrict the passage of gases and get get clogged very easily. I see this a lot.

With all due respect to roofers, builders or hardware shops, they don’t always have the knowledge to advise on what terminal to use on ‘live’ flues so my advice is always speak to a professional sweep about it.

For traditional flues which are in use for solid fuel, I personally use stainless steel birdguards which are securely attached to the chimney pot using a suitable clip or tough stainless steel wire.

Bonnet cowls such as these must NEVER be used on a live flue

Even if you have the correct bird guard, they can and do corrode/fall off, so it’s important to keep an eye on them. In that scenario, it’s important to have them replaced as soon as possible. Birds are very quick at building nests, and once they take up residence in your chimney, the law is on their side.

Please don’t even attempt to take a nest out on your own. Nests can be huge – most customers are flabbergasted at the size of them. They also harbour pests and diseases. It’s a specialised job and should only be undertaken by a professional sweep.

Trying to ‘burn out’ a nest is also a very silly idea, as it could cause a massive chimney fire, not to mention putting you at serious risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Bird nests can be large – get a professional to remove it

So do I always recommend a cowl? Generally yes, and definitely on lined chimneys and those with closed appliances (woodburners, multi fuel stoves etc). However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend one for an open fire where there has been no sign of bird activity. Some open fires can struggle with them, and in some cases an open pot is the best solution. However, if you or your neighbour has had a nest in the past, then I’d definitely recommend one as the chances are heightened.

Make no mistake, if you do get a bird nest, you’ve been a unlucky as some people can go a whole lifetime without having one in their chimney. But, like most things, it’s sensible to err on the side of caution.

An appropriate, well-fitted birdguard will help prevent wildlife from entering your chimney – and allow you to continue to use your fireplace as and when you choose.

Be Prepared: When Your Fire Becomes A LIFELINE… 5 Things You MUST Do

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 20:59:58 GMT

Be Prepared: When Your Fire Becomes A LIFELINE… 5 Things You MUST Do

Fireplaces have many functions, from being pieces of history to a simple ‘nice to have’ accessory.

But at certain times, they can also prove to be a lifeline.

During a power cut, fireplaces can provide a main source of heating. It gives a sense of security as an independent heat source.

And for people who are on their own for long periods of time, it can be almost like a companion.

Stove and fireplace usage could rise above normal levels over the next few months, given world events. But is your appliance ready to rise to the challenge?

The key to having a consistent and effective supply of heat from your fireplace depends on one person – you.

Here’s 5 ways YOU can ensure your appliance is in the best shape possible.

Book A Chimney Sweep NOW

I really can’t stress enough the importance of getting your appliance swept at this point.

Even if it was done a few months ago, a chimney can get blocked or become faulty quite quickly. Over 12 months and it definitely needs a sweep.

Even if you have the best appliance, the best fuels and the best burning practices, they are all pointless unless the chimney is working. So make that appointment today!

Make Sure Your Stove/Fireplace is Serviced

An appliance won’t work properly if it hasn’t been serviced. Air channels get blocked, efficiency can decrease and performance can be hampered.

Make sure all bricks, rope seals etc are in good order, as these all help make for a well-functioning appliance.

It’s better to get a professional to look at these, and many sweeps do this as part of their checks anyway.

Use Appropriate, Quality Fuels

Good fireplaces and chimneys need good fuels – plain and simple.

Only use dry wood with a moisture content below 20% – double check with a moisture meter.

If you are using coals, it is always better to choose Approved Smokeless Fuel which is dry. If the coals come out of the bag wet, put them in a box to dry out before putting on the fire.

Do NOT burn anything like household rubbish, treated wood, plastics and so on. These will cause pollution, damage your appliance and can potentially cause a chimney fire.

Don’t Slumber/Burn Overnight

It’s very tempting to try to ‘keep the fire in’ if you’re using it over a prolonged period of time. But this is actually a very bad idea.

First and foremost, as a consumer, it is actually a waste of money. You will get next to no heat, yet you will still use fuel.

But it will also cause a massive amount of pollution – increasing the risk of aggravating respiratory illnesses – and potentially cause a chimney fire.

The best way is to simply light a new fire each time you want to use it. Burn your fuels hot (a stove pipe thermometer will help) and, that way, you will get the best from your fireplace.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm

It’s really important that you not only have a Carbon Monoxide alarm, but that it is also working and positioned in the correct place.

I see so many alarms which are on sideboards, on the floor, in drawers, behind televisions and so on.

Generally speaking, alarms should be in a fixed position on a wall or ceiling, but please always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on this as they may slightly vary from one brand to another.

Remember…

This is only a brief guide. There are many more things which may be relevant to you, but that advice can only be given by a professional, registered sweep when they are in your property, doing their checks.

Real fires can be a lifeline in certain situations, but if you neglect to have them swept and serviced, they can also be deadly.

Stay safe, stay warm – get it swept!

DIY DISASTERS: Why You Should Leave Chimney Sweeping and Fireplace Installation To The Professionals…

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 20:20:18 GMT

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DIY is set to skyrocket in the next few months as more people spend time at home.

But there’s some jobs you really should leave to the experts.

Among them are fitting your own solid fuel woodburner/open fire or sweeping your chimney.

Why? Well put simply they both are highly skilled trades which take years to master.

Done incorrectly, they have the capacity to cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney/house fires.

Now, I’ve met plenty of DIYers and many will happily argue that there’s nothing difficult about any of these.

‘Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you?’ is the usual response, somehow implying that I’m trying to make it more complex than it actually is.

The plain fact is that you don’t know what you don’t know.

Just because I brush my teeth daily doesn’t mean to say that I wouldn’t visit the dentist for a regular check up or a having a new filling.

The same principles of leaving it to the experts apply to solid fuel installation and flue maintenance…

Here’s some of the typical pitfalls people who think they know what they’re doing end up in:

Stove/Fireplace Installation:

⁃ Failure to adequately clean and inspect any current flueway before installation

⁃ Dangerous working practices

⁃ Insufficient PPE

⁃ Incorrect connection to the chimney

⁃ Incorrect terminals

⁃ Lack of adequate ventilation

⁃ Unsuitable appliance sizing

⁃ Unsuitable materials used

⁃ Failure to adhere/understand safe distances to combustibles

– Lack of buildings regs sign off/potentially voiding your home/personal insurances

Chimney Sweeping:

⁃ Incorrect equipment

⁃ Dangerous working practices

⁃ Insufficient PPE

⁃ Failure to sweep the flue properly

⁃ Unable to interpret results of debris fall

⁃ Failure to pick up on faults/failures due to lack of experience

⁃ Causing damage to your flue and/or property

⁃ Inadequate servicing of the appliance

– Potentially voiding warranties/home insurances

The best way to avoid these pitfalls is get a trusted, solid fuel registered professional in to do the job. Look out for specific trade accreditation's or registrations which are directly relevant to the solid fuel industry, such as fireplace/stove installing or chimney sweeping.

There are certain things you can do to ensure your appliance is kept working as well as possible, such as regular de-ashing, replacing cracked bricks and so on.

But when it comes to the big jobs involving flueways and connecting to them – which help keep you and your family safe- please leave it to the professionals…

Stove with Chimney ‘Pipe’ Smoking Back? Here’s 5 Common Reasons Why…

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 19:26:29 GMT

Stove with Chimney ‘Pipe’ Smoking Back? Here’s 5 Common Reasons Why…

You can have a chimney pretty much anywhere these days thanks to twin wall insulated systems.

These factory-made flues negate the need to build an expensive, brick chimney and are quicker to install.

However, they aren’t without their issues if they’re not operated or installed correctly.

Here’s the 5 most common issues

#1 – Cold Flue Syndrome

This usually happens when the flue goes through the wall and up the gable end of the property. The reason is pretty simple; despite being insulated they can, by virtue of their position on an exterior wall, get pretty cold. So they can struggle to ‘draw’.

The best way to counteract this is to warm the flue for a few minutes before starting a fire.

This could be with a small camping stove, a heat gun or maybe even a few firelighters (although these can create the smoking back you’re wanting to avoid).

Once warmed for a few minutes, I would then advise using the ‘top down’ burning method to, again, help warm the flue further but also ensure you create the minimum amount of smoke.

#2 – The Flue Isn’t Tall Enough

For any chimney to work, the flue terminal needs to be a certain height. That height all depends whereabouts it is in your property.

Building regulations have very specific guidance on how far terminals should be from opening windows, adjacent structures and the weather surface of your roof.

Unfortunately I see very many twin wall systems which aren’t tall enough.

This is mostly to do with fitters who don’t want to add scaffolding or additional supports onto the final bill, so they terminate it too short – usually below the apex of the roof.

When this happens it can affect the performance of the installation.

#3 – Too Many Bends

Similar to the previous point, Building Regulations have set parameters for flue design and yet I see some very unusual set ups.

A common issue can be excessively long horizontal runs from the back of a stove followed by a 90 degree bend upwards towards the remainder of the flue.

Other designs may have an excessive amount of bends in the flue, causing the chimney not to function properly.

Ideally, you would want a pipe coming off the top of your stove and then having no more than four 45 degree bends before the terminal.

If the pipe is coming off the back off the stove, there are certain rules and calculations needed, depending on the length, in order to prove it works, and that the manufacturer has given consent.

While this may all sound a bit technical, the net result could be, again, that the flue smokes back. So it pays to ensure it’s to regulations.

#4 – Lack of Ventilation In the Room

Because twin wall systems are more common in newer properties (or extended parts of older properties), ventilation can be an issue.

The science is quite simple; stoves need air in order to ‘work’. The newer the home, more likely it is to be ‘airtight’.

Better wall and roof insulation, modern double glazing, extractor fans… they all have the ability to cause issues for a stove.

It’s worth pointing out here that any home with a solid fuel appliance built after 2008 must, under building regulations, have an additional air supply. This is to ensure the stove works properly.

#5 – Design of Stove

Because of a lack of chimney breast, many people want, or are to choose, larger stoves to compensate for this.

These stoves tend to have very large doors and, when refuelling, they can ‘spill’ smoke into the room.

Smoke will generally follow the path of least resistance, so when you open the door, it may – if the pull outwards into the room is bigger than the pull upwards into the flue – cause smoking back.

My advice is to crank open the door to a larger stove slowly, and when refuelling only do so by opening the door a quarter of the way.

That way, you’re not giving the smoke as much chance to escape and keeping the draught in the stove and flue more evenly balanced.

Finally…

When done correctly, twin wall insulated systems can be fantastic and give many years of happiness. Done incorrectly and it can turn into a thoroughly miserable experience.

If you’re having problems with your own twin wall insulated chimney, you’d be wise to contact your local, professional chimney sweep.

As people who see stoves and flue systems regularly, we can usually pinpoint these issues fairly quickly.

And of course we can provide you with the advice and guidance you need to help remedy the situation as soon as possible.

For a professional Chimney Sweep with years of experience, call Clean Sweep Chimney Services on 07907086764, or email us on cleansweep999@gmail.com to book your flue service.

Life of a Chimney Sweep

Why You CAN Still Have Your Chimney Swept & New Stove Fitted

Why You CAN Still Have Your Chimney Swept & New Stove Fitted

Eco 2022 Ready Stoves

So what are SIA Eco Design Ready Stoves?

Why a Bird Guard Can Save You From SIX MONTHS of Misery

ThWhy a Bird Guard Can Save You From SIX MONTHS of Misery is is a subtitle for your new post

Be Prepared: When Your Fire Becomes A LIFELINE… 5 Things You MUST Do

Be Prepared: When Your Fire Becomes A LIFELINE… 5 Things You MUST Do

DIY DISASTERS: Why You Should Leave Chimney Sweeping and Fireplace Installation To The Professionals…

This is a subtitle for your new post

Stove with Chimney ‘Pipe’ Smoking Back? Here’s 5 Common Reasons Why…

Stove with Chimney ‘Pipe’ Smoking Back? Here’s 5 Common Reasons Why…

ThWhy a Bird Guard Can Save You From SIX MONTHS of Misery
is is a subtitle for your new post