Please get a professional chimney sweep
Last night on Rogue Traders was a so called chimney sweep working in and around London ripping of people off London by bring in to the customers home’s dead birds in a bag and telling them it was in their chimney. Please get a Professional chimney sweep here at Essex & Suffolk sweeps we are proud to be with the guild of master chimney and are Hetas approved chimney sweep and a Hetas installer of solid fuel appliances .
Installing or reopening a fireplace?
Sufficient room ventilation is a must when installing or considering reopening a fireplace. This is because in order for a fire to properly burn it requires a considerable amount of air. Without this the fire will produce large amounts of Carbon Monoxide which is extremely dangerous. Whilst vents may not be needed in older homes, due to already having sufficient ventilation, modern homes will require this.
Regardless of what fuel your fireplace burns, a vent is required. Fitters will have a range of vents available from simple grills, to more complex ducts. However, it may be a cheaper option to check out your DIY stores first. These vents must not be closable, and the amount of ventilation required must be equal to, or at least 50% of the throat opening to the chimney or flue.
This need not apply if you’re reopening a fireplace, unless extensive building work has been done or the fireplace has been redesigned. All vents new or old must comply with building regulations, proving the vents cannot be blocked, removed or altered. Installers will fit the vents to minimise this and to help prevent noise coming through and drafts.
Quite often, home owners have found their rooms to be colder since having the vents installed. Where you have your vent installed is an important factor to consider when deciding to have a fireplace installed or reopened. If the vent has been installed at ground level away from the fireplace the cold air will not mix with the warmer air already in the room creating the draft.
The ideal place to have your vent fitted would be on the wall next to the fireplace, this is because the cold air coming in from the vent can go straight up the chimney without cooling the room.
Essex & Suffolk sweeps are based in the South Essex area but cover all surrounding areas from woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent areas.
For more information contact us
Your London Chimney Sweep
There is nothing more beautiful then having a blazing fire going on those cold days. However, what people aren’t aware of is the safety benefits that a regular London Chimney Sweep can bring to your London home. A lot of London house fires in the past have been caused due to a build-up of creosote in the interior of their Chimney. Creosote is a highly flammable substance which builds up in your Chimney or its liner as a result of burning wood. Something which a good Chimney Sweep can help prevent.
Because of this, homeowners are encouraged to have their Chimney Swept on a regular basis to remove this build-up and protect the house. The frequency of how many times you have your Chimney Swept is dependant upon how often the Chimney is used and what type of fire you have. For example, a wood burner would require more attention due to the build- up of Creosote being a lot higher. Yearly Chimney Sweep inspections should be conducted, despite how often your Chimney is in action. This is because pests can make nests in your Chimney, something which you may not be able to detect, unless you light your Chimney or get a Chimney Sweep inspection.
Chimney Sweep inspections will also ensure that everything is in working order and operating as it should. Our dedicated team can inspect and clean the chimney in your London home, if they decide upon the chimney inspection that it does not require a chimney sweep, they may advise you that they are fine until next time.
Get your Chimney Sweep booked in ready for the big day
Have you booked in for a Chimney Sweep?
There is nothing more picturesque than having the family sit around the fire embracing the Christmas spirit. However, what many people forget to do during the build up to Christmas is to get their chimney sweep. Not only is it essential to have your chimney swept ready for the big man to slide down with all your presents, but it is also a safety requirement.
There are many individuals out there that believe they can clean their own chimney. However, this is not recommended by ES Sweeps nor most Fire Safety Institutes. An experienced chimney sweeper will ensure all debris and build up is thoroughly cleaned. They will also check for and remove birds’ nests, as this is a common problem with open fire chimneys.
Our dedicated team will not only clean your chimney, removing the soot and debris, but we will also inspect the infrastructure of your chimney for any hidden damage. A highly beneficial service for those who have had a chimney for several years. Not only does a regular chimney sweep help prevent house fires, it can also save you money in the long run. This is because most chimneys will have some sort of flue liner installed. A flue liner is the first line of defence against house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. However, moisture can get trapped if the flue liner has a large build-up of soot and debris, corroding the liner. By having regular sweeps, you will increase the lifespan of your flue and ensure everyone in your house is safe from house fires and Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Contact Us
If you are looking for a team to come out and inspect and clean your chimney contact us. We work within the Essex and Suffolk area.
Chimney Sweeping this Christmas
Sweep your chimney this winter
It’s that time of year again! When the days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder. You’ve stayed on top of your winter tasks, i.e. start Christmas shopping, bring down the extra blankets and bulk buy de-icer for the car. But aren’t you forgetting something? Many homeowners get caught up in the festive period that they forget a crucial and, in some cases, lifesaving activity. Have your chimney swept by a professional.
The winter months is when fireplaces get their most use. This is also a time in which emergency services see an increase in chimney and house fires. One of the biggest causes of chimney fires is having irregular cleaning and improper inspections. Irregular cleaning is often because the individuals have forgotten to get their chimney cleaned. Whilst the improper inspections are due to people going for cheaper alternatives or by doing it themselves. Both of which result in a build- up of twigs, rubbish and soot from over the months. This overall results is a fire waiting to happen.
Essex and Suffolk Sweeps
We are a well-established Chimney sweeping business based in the London and Essex’s area. We pride ourselves on not contracting out any work we do, all of which is carried out by a fully certified and insured member of our team. We’re able to provide a wide range of services, as well as giving you support and advice on maintenance.
For more information on how we can help you contact us.
Modern Standard Coffee – Flue Sweeping
Lovely day spent in a coffee roasting house today Sweeping their flue. Makes a change to smell lovely coffee rather than soot.
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.
The majority of insurance companies require chimneys and flues to be swept as part of the insurance terms and conditions. Many insurance companies will also not pay for a claim where intervals between sweeps have been observed and documented by certification. Be assured that 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. As a Guild member sweep you will receive this certificate from Essex & Suffolk Sweeps on completion of works along with a smoke draw test which we perform on all chimneys at no additional charge.
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)
We do not contract any work out and all works undertaken will be carried out by certified and insured, Member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. By choosing Essex & Suffolk Sweeps to service your chimney, you can be sure that you will receive a professional, dependable, and friendly service.
Contact us
A Sweeps finds all sorts in a chimney
https://www.facebook.com/bob.modero/videos/1189601007725337/
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.