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
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.’
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
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Get your sweep booked in ready for a roaring fire this winter
The cold nights are drawing in, for many this is the when the extra blankets come out of hiding and the radiators get put to good use. But what many people forget to do is have their chimney swept.
A fireplace is a great source of warmth during the colder months. Not only can it heat a room at a low cost, it also creates a cute picturesque Christmas atmosphere, ideal for them cosy family nights in. However, what many people don’t realise is the dangers lurking if a fireplace is not properly swept. Over the months, a chimney / fireplace can have a build up of soot, materials which can easily catch fire. Not only does a thorough chimney sweep help protect your family and property, it can also increase the lifespan of your chimney flue, which in the long run will save you money!
Need to get your chimney sweep booked in before the cold weather sets in? Essex & Suffolk Sweeps are based in London and Essex but cover all surrounding areas from Woodbridge in Suffolk right through to Kent. 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 you can be sure that you will receive a professional, dependable and friendly service.
Other services we do:
Services Include:
Chimney & flue blockages cleared
Bird nest removal
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)