A Sweeps finds all sorts in a chimney
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A chimney can be home to some strange findings. From newspapers, to money to ducks. A Chimney sweeper with a few years under their belt will have seen it all. Here we’ve compiled some of the most unusual findings we’ve heard about (and some we’ve experienced ourselves).
- A letter to Santa from 1912
A man from Dublin Ireland came across a letter to Santa from 1912 whilst he was cleaning out his fireplace. The note was believed to be from Hannah and Alfred Howard. Remarkably, the note to Santa has had very little burn damage despite the fireplace is used on a regular basis. The note included a list of desired toys and a couple of cute illustrations.
- Newspapers from 1940’s
An experienced Chimney sweeper was cleaning out a lovely customers chimney when he came across some old newspapers. At first glance, he didn’t take much notice, until he noticed the dates. Alike to the letter to Santa, the newspaper over the years had stayed in relatively good condition.
- Dead cats or shoes
Chimney Sweepers in Australia are never surprised if they come across either a dead cat or a shoe in the chimney they are sweeping. This is because traditionally Australia settlers were superstitious and would often hide one or the other in their Chimneys. This practice is said to have come from Britain from an Ancient Roman practice to ward off evil spirits.
Essex and Suffolk Sweeps
Chimneys should be swept regularly to remove the build-up of soot, creosote and any other unusual items that can be lurking up there.
Smokeless coals: At least once a year
Wood: Once a season when in use
Bitumous coal: Twice a year
Oil: Once a year
Gas: Once a year
The risk of cleaning your chimney with a vacuum cleaner
If you burn wood you will have to clean the ash up periodically. However, many people do not realise the dangers and the unnecessary fire risk that is caused when cleaning your stove or chimney with a household vacuum cleaner. Please be aware, an ash vacuum is the only type of vacuum which can be used to safely get rid of the ash built up in your chimney or stove. There are many reasons as to why you shouldn’t use a regular vacuum to remove your ash, the main one being that normal household vacuums are not designed to any heat. If a regular vacuum is used the ash cleaned up could cause the vacuum to set alight as depicted in the video.
Chimney Sweeping should be carried out regularly to remove the build up of soot, creosote and other debris which are deposited from the fuel you are burning on your stove or in your fires. It is this build-up which could potentially cause a chimney fire. How often your chimney should be swept is dependent on what fuel you are burning.
We provide a wide range of services:
Chimney & flue blockages cleared
Chimney and flues, sweep and vacuumed
Bird nest removal
Chimney Pots, Bird guards and cowls fitted
CCTV camera inspection
Certificate, recognised by all leading insurance companies, always issued
Damaged chimney pot/stack replacement
Flue smoke tests
Wood and multi-fuel stove cleaning & repairs
Solid fuel cookers repairs
Burner installation (Hetas Certified)
For more information contact us: 07545976100 email: info@essweeps.co.uk
To watch the full video click here
Chelmsford Essex – Checking an unsafe stove
Another Red Card, so many issues with this stove!
1) Found a rust hole in the twin wall flue system in the loft space
2) No safety barrier around the twin wall flue system in the loft space
3) Twin wall flue system has been fitted to close to the wooden structure in the loft space
4) No fire stop in between ceilings
5) No visual access to joints in the chimney breast
6) Halve was too small for the size of the stove fitted
7) No carbon monoxide alarm in the property
Here at Essex and Suffolk Sweeps, we pride ourselves on our great quality service ensuring you can use your Stove or wood burner safely.
We recommend Chimney / Flue Sweeping should be carried out regularly. This is to help eliminate the build up of soot, creosote and other debris. But to also ensure issues such as the ones highlighted above are dealt with quickly and safely.
Our services include the following:
Chimney & flue blockages cleared
Chimney and flues, sweep and vacuumed
Bird nest removal
Chimney Pots, Bird guards and cowls fitted
CCTV camera inspection
Certificate, recognised by all leading insurance companies, always issued
Damaged chimney pot/stack replacement
Flue smoke tests
Wood and multi-fuel stove cleaning & repairs
Solid fuel cookers repairs
Burner installation (Hetas Certified)
About us:
We are based in the South Essex area, but we do cover all surrounding areas from Woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent areas. We do not contract any work out and all works undertaken will be carried out by a certified and fully insured member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. By choosing Essex & Suffolk Sweeps to service your chimney, or for any of the additional Gardening and DIY services we are able to offer, you can be sure that you will receive a professional, dependable and friendly service.
Contact us for more information.
Southminster Essex – Chimney sweep
Another annual sweep and installation of new rope on the stove doors, coals were still red hot so this fire get lots of use at Southminster Essex.
Essex & Suffolk Sweeps are based in the South Essex area but cover all surrounding areas from Woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent areas. We do not contract any work out. All work undertaken will be carried out by a certified and fully insured member. By choosing Essex & Suffolk Sweeps to service your chimney, or for any of the additional Gardening and DIY services we are able to offer, you can be sure that you will receive a professional, dependable and friendly service.
Most people are unaware each year in England, approximately 40-50 deaths occur from carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, many more people are admitted to hospital suffering from carbon monoxide poising. In addition to this, the Fire Rescue Services attended around 7,000 chimney fires each year. Many of these fires & deaths could potentially be avoided by having your chimneys and flues swept regularly by a qualified chimney sweep.
Chimneys should be swept regularly to remove the build up of soot, creosote and other debris. This can be deposited from the fuel you are burning on your stove or in your fires. It is this build up which could potentially cause a chimney fire.
How often your chimney should be swept is dependent on what fuel you are burning.
- Smokeless coals: At least once a year
- Wood: Once a season when in use
- Bitumous coal: Twice a year
- Oil: Once a year
- Gas: Once a year
Grays Essex – Sweeping an open fire
Annual sweep of a lovely traditional looking open fire in Grays today
Essex & Suffolk Sweeps are based in the South Essex area but cover all surrounding areas from Woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent areas. We do not contract any work out and all works undertaken will be carried out by a certified and fully insured member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. By choosing Essex & Suffolk Sweeps to service your chimney, or for any of the additional Gardening and DIY services we are able to offer, you can be sure that you will receive a professional, dependable and friendly service.
Chimneys should be swept regularly to remove the build up of soot, creosote and other debris which are deposited from the fuel you are burning on your stove or in your fires. It is this build up which could potentially cause a chimney fire. How often your chimney should be swept is dependent on what fuel you are burning.
Smokeless coals: At least once a year
Wood: Once a season when in use
Bitumous coal: Twice a year
Oil: Once a year
Gas: Once a year
Services Include:
Chimney & flue blockages cleared
Chimney and flues, sweep and vacuumed
Bird nest removal
Chimney Pots, Bird guards and cowls fitted
CCTV camera inspection
Certificate, recognised by all leading insurance companies, always issued
Damaged chimney pot/stack replacement
Flue smoke tests
Wood and multi-fuel stove cleaning & repairs
Solid fuel cookers repairs
Burner installation (Hetas Certified)
Fire Fighters do a Mary Poppings tribute
Firefighters from Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service black watch team want you to remember to clean your chimney or flue. What better way to do this that to make a song and dance about it- Mary Poppins style! Click here to watch the full video!
Whilst this clip shows the lighter side of Fire Safety, it does promote an important message. Get your chimney swept regularly to avoid build up, which ultimately causes a fire.
Most people are unaware that there are approximately 40-50 deaths from Carbon Monoxide poising in the UK alone. This figure doesn’t include the many more victims who are admitted to hospital from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. On average, fire rescue services attend around 7,000 chimney fires each year. Chimney and Flue fires are a contributing factor to the current strain emergency services have on resources. Something which a simple Chimney or Flue sweep by a professional can help prevent.
When should you have your Chimney or Flue swept?
- Smokeless coals: At least once a year
- Wood: Once a season when in use
- Bitumous coal: Twice a year
- Oil: Once a year
- Gas: Once a year
For more information on having your Chimney or Flue swept, or for any other services we provide email: info@essweeps.co.uk or call: 07545 976 100
We do not contract any work out and all works undertaken will be carried out by a certified and fully insured member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. By choosing Essex & Suffolk Sweeps to service your chimney, or for any of the additional Gardening and DIY services we are able to offer, you can be sure that you will receive a professional, dependable and friendly service. Once your chimney or flue has been swept you should be issued with a Chimney Safety Certificate which is recognised by all leading insurance companies.
Make a Date with the Chimney Sweep
The Telegraph recently published an article written by the talented Victoria Lambert emphasising on the importance of having your chimney swept regularly. Victoria was made aware of the dangers of not having your chimney swept one night when hers caught fire. Thankfully, herself, her family were not harmed and her house wasn’t too badly damaged. Many home owners are not aware of the potential dangers lurking when they postpone or forget to get their chimney swept.
‘Our blaze was one of the 7,000 chimney fires that ignite every year in England – which is a rate of about 20 a week, although they obviously cluster around now. Some can spread, causing serious damage. And most are, according to the Government’s Fire Kills safety campaign, utterly preventable.
The chance of a fire is greatly reduced if your flue is not thickening up with soot like an artery choking on cholesterol, and like many, we were overdue a visit from the sweep.’
Chimney Sweep
The majority of insurance companies now require chimneys and flues to be swept regularly. This is an integrated part of the insurances terms and conditions. Insurance companies will not pay for a claim where intervals between sweeps have been observed and documented by certification. Our dedicated team can ensure you of a clean Chimney or Flue ready for use! We do not contract out any of our work. All work is done by a fully insured member of staff.
Read the rest of the article here.
Essex & Suffolk Sweeps are based in the South Essex area but cover all surrounding areas from Woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent areas.
Call us to arrange your sweep or to talk to a member of staff 07545976100 or email info@essweeps.co.uk
Read More From Us:
Chimney Sweeps – Essex and Suffolk areas all covered
A really overlooked part of your home is having your chimney swept regularly. If you have an open fire or wood burning stove you could be emitting seriously harmful fumes into your home, potentially endangering your family and children.
Chimney Sweeping should be carried out regularly to remove the build up of soot, creosote and other debris. These are commonly deposited from the fuel you are burning on your stove or in your fire. It is this build-up which could potentially cause a chimney fire.
Essex and Suffolk Sweeps provides a friendly and reliable service, we do not contract out any of our work, and we are fully insured and members of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps.
Services Include:
Chimney & flue bloc
kages cleared
Chimney and flues, sweep and vacuumed
Bird nest removal
Chimney Pots, Bird
guards and cowls fitted
CCTV camera inspection
Certificate, recognised by all leading insurance companies, always issued
Damaged chimney pot/stack replacement
Flue smoke tests
Wood and multi-fuel stove cleaning & repairs
Solid fuel cookers repairs
Burner installation (Hetas Certified)
Essex & Suffolk Sweeps are based in the South Essex area but cover all surrounding areas from Woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent areas.
Wanting your Chimney Sweeping? Speak to Essex & Suffolk Sweeps on 07545976100 or e-mail on info@essweeps.co.uk as we are now taking bookings for this season.
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