How do I choose a good chimney sweep?

01271 376861
(leave message if not there)
or
07922026818
(often out of range if sweeping but persevere or send text)

ANY TRADES PERSON BUILDS UP A REPUTATION - SOMETIMES IT'S A GOOD ONE, SOMETIMES NOT!

Chimney Sweep North Devon have developed a good reputation throughout the North Devon area over the last few years.

Geoff is HETAS trained and a member of APICS(see Q & A)


NOTE: Always look carefully at the chimney sweeps advert or website. Are they actually a member of the organisation mentioned, or are they riding "piggyback" on someone else's qualifications? Many are very adept at using the power of someone else's advertising for their own ends.

DO NOT GET CAUGHT OUT BY A ROGUE CHIMNEY SWEEP.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE CHIMNEY SWEEP IS GOOD?

  1. Other people have used them and they have been recommended.
  2. They will be Insured - if in doubt ask to see their certificate.
  3. They will (normally) come in laden with rods,brushes,cover up cloths and a vacuum (we use an industrial one) and... they may look dirty!
  4. They will often ask if you want to see the brush pop out of the chimney. Take this opportunity to do so, it is supposed to bring good luck (I've seen hundreds and I'm still waiting for mine though!)
    More importantly, you will also know the chimney sweep has been right to the top of the chimney.
    (BEAR IN MIND THAT,WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF CHIMNEY COWL,THE BRUSH WILL NOT COME RIGHT OUT - IF IT DOES, YOUR COWL WILL MOST PROBABLY COME WITH IT - NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR THE SWEEP OR THE CLIENT!)
  5. Most will issue a certificate to say your chimney has been swept 
  6. It normally takes at least half an hour to sweep a chimney properly. We at Chimney Sweep North Devon allow at least an hour for ones we have not swept before. Be suspicious if they take less than 30 minutes.

HOW CAN I KNOW IF IT'S A ROGUE CHIMNEY SWEEP?

  1. Be wary if they are in and out within 30 minutes, especially if you know the chimney has not been swept for years.
  2. They will sometimes only have an ordinary domestic hoover and all they will do is put the nozzle up the chimney for 10 minutes or so
    THIS IS LIKE PUTTING YOUR VACUUM CLEANER THROUGH YOUR LETTERBOX AND EXPECTING YOUR WHOLE HOUSE TO BE CLEANED.
  3. They will often have very few rods - even a bungalow can take 6 or more one metre rods.
  4. They often tell you the chimney needs sweeping 3 or 4 times a year - this is highly unlikely. If you burn wood and the fire is used a lot, then twice a year should suffice, unless the wood is very green.
    Click here for info on thatched properties and here for an amusing rhyme which may help you remember which wood to burn!
  5. They probably will not issue a certificate to say the chimney has been swept. This is because it has NOT been swept. If pushed to do so, they may become evasive.
  6. They may not be insured - ask to see their certificate (or a copy). It's your chimney after all!
  7. Look for their name on the van.If people are advertising, they are not afraid to be seen.
    Having said that, we have a different van which is waiting to be sprayed and sign written, so we are the sweeps with the White van at the moment!

 A CHIMNEY CANNOT BE SWEPT WITHOUT RODS - 
   DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OTHER EXPLANATION

WHAT CAN I DO IF THE SWEEP ARRIVES AND I THINK HE MAY NOT BE DOING THE JOB PROPERLY? 

  1. IF YOU CAN, GO OUTSIDE AND WATCH FOR THE BRUSH TO COME UP OR, BETTER STILL, HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU WHO CAN ALSO WITNESS WHAT HAPPENS. TELL THE CHIMNEY SWEEP THAT YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT.
  2. AS STATED, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR HIS (OR HER) CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
  3. YOU ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR A RECEIPT FOR THE WORK DONE. YOU ARE HANDING OVER MONEY - THIS IS YOUR RIGHT.
  4. BE CAREFUL WITH THESE PEOPLE THOUGH. SOME OF THEM ARE NOT NICE. MAYBE IT WOULD BE BEST TO LET THEM FINISH WHAT THEY ARE DOING, BUT NEXT TIME YOUR CHIMNEY NEEDS SWEEPING, DO NOT USE THEM.

THESE MEN NEED TO BE STOPPED - THEY ARE LEAVING THEIR CLIENTS WITH CHIMNEYS WHICH ARE NOT SAFE AND GIVING GOOD CHIMNEY SWEEPS A BAD NAME

Which Wood?
Want to know which wood is the best for your fire?
Click  here for a fun poem which may help you remember

TEL:01271 376861 OR 07922026818
and speak to Geoff to make an appointment or just for advice.
Click here for our charges

N.B. VERY FEW REGULATIONS EXIST AT PRESENT(to date June 2009) TO MONITOR WHO CAN SWEEP CHIMNEYS 
WE AT CHIMNEY SWEEP NORTH DEVON WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RULING CHANGED ON THIS.