• Check out the commonly asked Questions below. The answer may be there.
• Can't find the question you want to ask? Please phone(see above) 
                                            or 
  e-mail Geoff here and he will be pleased to help.

       click here for our charges
    
Topics covered

• Charges
• APICS
• HETAS
• Thatched properties
• Redundant chimneys
• How often should it be swept?
• Carbon Monoxide
• How long do you take?
• Which wood should I burn?
• Do you do weddings?
• What other services do you provide?
  

Q...  How much do you charge?

A...  Click here for our competitive rates

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Q...  I see you mention APICS on your site.Who or what are they?

A...  APICS is the Association of Professional and Independent Chimney   Sweeps.One of only 3 recognised Associations in the UK. All members are 'vetted' and have to pass a rigorous practical examination and also must have attended the HETAS Solid Fuel awareness course.Members of APICS work to an agreed National standard. www.apics.org.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Q...  I see you mention HETAS on your site.Who or what are they?

A...  HETAS stands for Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (this definition is not commonly used). 
They train chimney sweeps and other professionals to assess all solid fuel(gas and oil come under this heading) and wood burning equipment (this also means open fires and boilers) as to their safety of use,maximum operating performance and efficiency.
Do you know, for example, that the heat generated around a stove pipe inserted into an unlined chimney can reach temperatures of 800 degrees F?
The HETAS website provides details of approved chimney sweeps and other trained personnel. They also recommend approved appliances and fuels. ( www.hetas.co.uk)  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q...  I have a thatched property. Do I need to have the chimney(s) swept every year? I hardly use the fire!

A...  Again, www.apics.org.uk (go to frequently asked questions) will have the answer for you. But, briefly, yes, you do need to have a thatched property swept and importantly be quite sure in your own mind that the sweep has been right to the top of the chimney.
In any case, your Insurance Company will insist on it being swept at least once a year

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q...  I have some redundant chimneys in my property. Do they need to be capped off?

A...  Ideally, yes. All redundant chimneys left open to the elements will be a prime site for Jackdaws to nest and rain water could also become a problem. Rain can seep out through the sticks of a nest and cause damp patches in a chimney breast (usually the upstairs rooms).
However, All redundant chimneys need to breathe therefore any cap to seal it must have ventilation holes. (pictures of suitable caps/cowls)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q... How many times a year do you think I need to have my chimney swept?

 A... To be honest, it can vary greatly, depending on many factors
       ... The type of fire you have
       ... How often it is used
       ... What you burn on/in it  etc.
       ... All appliances which use fossil fuels need sweeping though - even oil
          fired boilers/stoves

• The most efficient and also the safest and one of the most economical type of appliance is a stove - either wood burning or multi fuel (takes wood and coal)
• If you only use your fire/stove etc at weekends during the winter it may only need sweeping once every other year.
  However, we advise it is swept the first year and the second. If it has been swept correctly the first time, you will be able to discuss with the chimney sweep the amount of soot etc produced within that year.
  If it is not swept properly, then the chimney will gradually become blocked near the top with a build up of combustible(and potentially dangerous) material. Having the same incompetent sweep the 2nd year will be of virtually no use, as it will not be a true reflection of the efficiency of the fire and they will leave you with a further build up of combustible material in the chimney or liner.
  This build up also dramatically increases the risk of Carbon Monoxide fumes being forced back into your home. Carbon Monoxide is a very under rated killer and is known as 'The Silent Killer' as it cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. (See next question for a direct link and information)
  The heat from the fire cools rapidly as it rises and this is why soot and creosote (created from the use of wood) will adhere to the upper part of the chimney. Rods and brushes will remove most of that build up, but only if swept at effective intervals.
  The use of a chimney cleaning log will also be of valuable assistance in the sweeping of this type of build up.
  If you use the fire more often then obviously, you will need to have it swept more.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q... I don't need a Carbon Monoxide alarm. 
      I'll know if something is wrong..... won't I?

A...  You DO need an AUDIBLE Carbon Monoxide alarm if you burn or use ANY kind of fossil fuel - gas/oil/wood/coal. You can be dying whilst the little patches are changing colour. You need to know you have a Carbon Monoxide problem immediately.
And NO, you will probably not know if anything is wrong
                It is tasteless 
                You cannot see it
                or smell it.
It is known as the 'Silent Killer'. It can kill you whilst you sleep and without an audible alarm you may never know anything was wrong. 
There are symptoms of CO poisoning - click here for in depth information.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q ... How long will you be in my house?

A ... It depends.
      If it is a chimney we have not done before, we allow at least one hour as we do not know what we will encounter up it (ie birds nest).
At the least it will take half an hour by the time we cover up and get our equipment in (especially if we have to carry over some distance).
The longest we have ever taken is 2 and a half hours on one chimney and then we had to go back another day to finish off, BUT this is highly unusual and it was an old farmhouse where the chimney had not been swept for years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q... Which wood should I burn?

A... Click here to see a fun poem which should help

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q... Do you do weddings?

A... Geoff has been asked this question many times and the answer is NO...but we know a man who can!!
Give us a call or e-mail us(click here) and we will give you details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------