We will be adding more information under this
heading in due course and it is our intention to provide information and
knowledge to ensure that chimney sweeping and associated services retain a respectable level of
workmanship in keeping with the tradition and our customers benefit from experience and knowledge shared when using their chimneys and heating appliances. You are invited to comment and add any information you may feel will be of benefit to our customers and site visitors. Thank you.
Most competent chimney sweeps are confident in
their services and abilities and will welcome scrutiny, questioning and being
watched in what they do. Be warned though that some, like us, are quite
passionate about what they do and you may find that your sweeping takes longer
than planned.
A competent sweep will enter your property aware of
the type of fitting you have attached to your chimney pot and the reason for
it. They will usually have an accurate estimation through experience of how
many chimney rods it will take to reach your fitting.
Be cautious if your sweep turns up without a decent
torch or shows no interest in first inspecting the chimney through the
fireplace or stove flue etc. The size, condition, direction and sometimes smell
of a chimney can dictate both the type, size of brush and grade of rods that
need to be used in order to properly sweep it clean, also the condition of the
chimney and how the sweeping will generally go and how many sheets will be needed to avoid any mess or mishaps.
Selection of brush size is paramount in ensuring
that all surfaces of the chimney, liner, flue etc. is swept properly. Good
indications that the correct size brush is being used are as follows:-
As rods are added and the brush is pushed upwards
inside the chimney, resistance caused by the bristles being bent back on
themselves and pressing against the inside of the chimney should support the
weight of the rods attached beneath it, when left to hang unsupported.
Your sweep should experience some resistance on
changing direction of movement of the rods from an upwards and downwards
direction and on twisting the rods and brush to work them up through the
chimney and up through the chimney pot.
A competent sweep will carry quite a varied
selection of different grade rods as this dictates flex, workability of the
brush and access through the stove and within the chimney. For instance, we use a single 20mm
diameter rod as a “leader rod” when sweeping some chimneys, to assist in access
and workability, however, use of this method on say an Inglenook chimney would be both
impracticable and ineffective in brush support and sweeping strength. For those chimneys we
use minimum 36mm rods to support our specialist Inglenook brushes. Smaller more
flexible rods are perfect for wood and multi fuel stoves with liners, where
generally brush sizes can be a near perfect fit for sweeping (Approximately 25
– 50mm larger diameter than aperture).
A sweep who has invested in a range of equipment, a
dedicated vehicle, uniform and informative website (such as this one) clearly
has a passion for what they do and sees a future within the industry longer
than a single year of sweeping chimneys and expects to keep customers for the
following year, through customer service, satisfaction and chimney / appliance performance. Such a sweep is likely to sweep to the best of his ability,
knowledge, experience and provide advice and guidance (sometimes instruction) on how to get the best from a chimney or appliance.
With regards Trade Associations, we believe they
are a very good thing in a largely unaudited industry, however, the Clear
Family of sweeps believe that our longevity (over 60 combined years) in chimney
sweeping, services and our customers and recommendations speak for themselves.
Where problems have occured with a chimney's
ability to draw away the smoke from the fire up the chimney resulting in smoke
entering the room or it is suspected that the brickwork and mortar seal, within
the structure has been compromised through soot acid erosion, ensure that after rectifying the problem, a
smoke test is conducted by lighting a smoke pellet in the fireplace in your
presence. Smoke tests conducted where these problems have not been evident are
perhaps somewhat of a waste of a smoke pellet although marginally impressive to
watch.
Ensure your chimney sweep is correctly insured to
carry out his services at your property. If in doubt, please ask. A responsible
chimney sweep will not be offended.
