How Often Should I Get My Chimney Swept?

For a lot of the year, it's likely that you don't use your open fire or wood-burning stove much. But as we head into the Autumn, we all start to think about those cosy evenings spent by a crackling fire.

If you have an open fire or stove in your home, it’s important to consider how often your chimney should be swept. This can vary based on a number of factors.

How you use your fire or stove:

1. How often you use your fire

   Many people use their stove or fire daily throughout the Winter, while others might simply enjoy the ambience of an open fire once a week. If you use your fireplace or stove a lot, you might need to have your chimney swept more often than you think. Put simply, the more you use your stove or fire, the more often you will need to get your chimney swept.

2. The type of fuel you burn

   Different fuels will burn differently, with some producing a 'cleaner' burn than others producing less soot, creosote and smoke. Soot, creosote, and debris left to build up in a chimney can increase the risk of a chimney fire; the type of fuel you burn therefore impacts how often you should get your chimney cleaned.

3. If you have a stove or open fire

   A wood burning stove will burn much more efficiently than an open fire, and will therefore tend to produce less soot and creosote than a traditional open fire. This means that a chimney used by an open fire would generally need to be swept more often than one used by a wood burning stoves.

Getting your chimney swept:

1. Why I should I get my chimney swept?

   Soot, creosote, and debris gradually build up in a chimney and can increase the risk of a chimney fire. It’s important to remember that most home insurance policies will not pay out unless a chimney has been swept in the past year. If you notice any signs of a blocked chimney, such as the smoke not drawing properly or a strong smell, you should stop using your fire and seek advice from a an accredited chimney sweep.

2. Who should I get to sweep my chimney?

   You should get an accredited sweep to check and sweep your chimney, they will also check your stove if you have one. To find a local sweep try: The National Association of Chimney Sweeps at www.nacs.org.uk.

3. How often should I get my chimney swept?

   The National Association of Chimney Sweeps recommends that fires burning smokless fuel should be swept at least once per year. For fires burning wood, the chimney should be quarterly when in use.

4. What’s the best time of year to get my chimney swept?

   It’s easy to leave getting your chimney swept until the Autumn when your start using your open fire or stove again, but the best time too get your chimney swept is in the Spring or Summer. At that time of year most sweeps tend to be less busy and often have offers in place.

Remember, you wouldn’t expect your car to work safely and efficiently without having it regularly serviced, the same applies to your fire or stove

The advice above is given in good faith by Classic Mantels.