Why your chimney needs to be cleaned and inspected
If your chimney is connected to a fireplace or wood burning stove, it should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year to reduce the risk of a chimney fire. When you use your stove throughout the heating season, soot and ash will inevitably build up in the flue pipes and chimney. This buildup must be removed to ensure safe operation of your stove.
Large amounts of soot in the chimney can be caused by incorrect firing – for example, if you add too much wood at once, use wood that isn’t properly dried, or don’t supply enough air for combustion. In these cases, the temperature inside the stove won’t be high enough to burn off the flue gases. Instead, the gases will condense and form soot inside the flue pipes and chimney.
Soot buildup can also occur if the chimney is not the correct height for your stove. Your chimney sweep can advise you on this.
The chimney sweep’s work
When the chimney sweep visits, they inspect the chimney and flue pipes and:
- Clean the chimney of creosote, soot, and other deposits that can hinder safe and efficient combustion
- Clean the flue pipes and smoke channels
- Remove soot that may accumulate in the stove or other areas during cleaning
- Check that the general safety around your stove and chimney is in order.
The chimney sweep can also advise you on your stove installation, proper firing techniques, and whether it may be necessary to replace the stove, flue pipes, or chimney due to leaks or failure to meet legal requirements.
It is also the chimney sweep who must approve new installations of stoves and chimneys after replacement.
Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that your stove, flue pipes, and chimney comply with applicable legal requirements.
