When and why you should get your chimney swept.

When?

At the end of the burning season unless you don’t have a bird guard in a brick flue, in which case after nesting season is best. It’s unlikely birds will nest in a flexi liner.

Why?

1. Flue is left in a clean condition. Warm damp weather in the summer can cause down draughts which can bring sooty smells into the house. Smokeless fuel residue is corrosive when damp, not so much an issue when in use as it’s usually warm and dry. When flue is not used it gets damp and the sulphuric acid produced (when you mix sulphur and water) can eat through stainless liner.

2. If anything needs doing you’ve got the time to do it and get the spares. Don’t be surprised to hear a 6 week waiting time for spares for Scandinavian stoves. Get it sorted early. You might need a new liner or bigger work. Finding out the end of September right in peak season isn’t a good time to get works carried out quickly.

3. When you’ve finished with your dishes you wash them and put them away. You don’t leave them dirty for 6 months until you need them again. So why do it with your flue?

4. Leave the vents open to get a small draught through the flue. It helps to keep it dry and free of smells.