A tale of two chimneys and how to sweep your own chimney
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Save Money | 54 comments
Years ago when the cottage was being renovated I was advised by the foreman that my chimneys needed relining.
“Don’t worry Fiona. It won’t make a mess. You need to get it done though. A dodgy chimney could be dangerous. I happen to know a man that has a company that relines chimneys I’ll give him a ring.”
The Chimney Lining Friend came and examined the chimneys carefully. His face was grave.
“Both chimneys need relining. As there are two, I can do you a deal – both for £3,500.00.”
I trusted the foreman but I wavered.
The Chimney Lining Friend swept on, “The chimneys need to be swept before we start. We could do this for £100. Perhaps you’d like to use your own sweep?”
I decided to use my own guys. They arrived on the Friday before the relining was scheduled to begin.
They swept the kitchen chimney and examined it carefully.
“This chimney is old but we’ve seen much worse. It doesn’t need relining.”
I was surprised.
They discovered that the chimney in the sitting room was new. It had been built inside the old inglenook fireplace.
“No wonder the fire draws so well.”
They warned me that if The Chimney Lining Friend insisted on coming on Monday he would probably want to do a smoke test. Apparently teeny wafts of smoke can escape into the attic.
“If this happens, don’t be alarmed. It’s normal. Stick to your guns. Don’t have the chimneys relined!”
The foreman arrived before the friend. Despite my protestations, he insisted on waiting for TCLF. We sat in silence until the large deluxe car reversed into the drive.
They did the test. Twice. Not a waft of smoke drifted into the attic. The building company was one of the best in Cambridge. The gangs were good, arriving on time as scheduled and the quality of the work was excellent. But I’d never use the company again. Of course there are backhanders in the building industry but faking the need for a job is just not on. The relationship with the foreman was never quite the same again.
In fact the experience put me off having the chimneys touched for years.
When Danny arrived he mentioned in passing that he always swept the chimneys back home in rural West Cork. Since then we have swept our chimneys ourselves. If you have a standard, traditional brick built chimney it’s really easy. The fancy vacuum cleaners and screens are unnecessary. All you need are a set of drain rods
You can buy a good brush at a decent builder’s merchants. They are also available online and there you will find a lot of dire warnings about DIY chimney cleaning (they are generally written by chimney sweeps).
There is one golden rule for chimney sweeping and drain clearing. Keep turning the rods in a clockwise direction. This ensures that the rods do not become separated and get lost in the chimney or drain. The Penultimate Paramour turned the rods the wrong way once. A disaster that was averted by sheer determination and hours of patience.
I put a layer of newspaper in the fire basket and sling an old sheet across the outside of the fireplace (this protects the room from stray soot). I work from behind this screen. Then I screw the brush head to the first rod, stick it up the chimney and add another rod so that I can access the contraption easily.
Sweep up and down, and twist clockwise as you add the rods and push the brush up the chimney. This dislodges the soot and creosote. It’s worth spending a few minutes on each metre of chimney. Finally the brush bursts out of the chimney pot. Nip outside and check that it’s sticking out. On the downward path repeat the sweeping twisting action. As you pull the brush down, remove the rods as you go. Finally examine the chimney with a powerful flashlight to check that it is really clean.
If you want to clean your own chimney you need to be practical. If it’s an old chimney full of nooks and crannies you may need to use different brushes or a chimney vacuum. I have never cleaned a metal flue. It may be worth getting a professional sweep in once and watch carefully what he/she does. Then you will know exactly how a pro would tackle your chimney and perhaps you can take up the reins next time.
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I have a woodburner and this is the first winter, it is wonderful, but I am trying to work out how to sweep the chimney, I have the brushes etc, but actually getting the brush past the inside of the top of the fire, and up the chimney appears to be a big ask. Do I have to take anything off/out of the fire, undo any screws etc.
Hello Jeremy
You said “and flues from wood burners that stop just above the registry plate. The later is the cause of numerous fires, as soot will accumulate on top of the plate”
Our chimney (external brick affair) is unlined – we hope to have this done this year. Currently are flue pipe only goes six inches above the register plate. I could easily add another 1 or 2 metre long lengths of flue pipe to take it further up the chimney.
Would this be a wise stop-gap until relining?
Thanks
Tom
Hello James
Thanks for your advice and warnings. Our chimneys are fairly straightforward so I feel confident that we are sweeping them well. But you are right, everyone should be beware of the hazards and if there are any questions call the experts in. Even if it’s to ask whether it’s safe to sweep a particular chimney themselves.
Hello Jeremy
Chimney fires are a real hazard.
In the olden days country folk would light a fire in their chimney to clean it!
But seriously, I take your point and agree. Only clean your own chimney if you are confident about the state of the chimneys in your house. Never sweep your chimney if you are not confident about what you are doing. And even if you are confident, you could have missed something so beware.
Having been in the fire service for 20 years, I’ve lost count of the number of chimney fires I’ve been to.
It is essential to have chimneys cleaned thoroughly at least once a year, and more frequently if the chimney is used regularly.
Look out for hidden ledges that may accumulate soot and debris, birds nests, faulty liners (cracked) and flues from wood burners that stop just above the registry plate. The later is the cause of numerous fires, as soot will accumulate on top of the plate.
I’m not adverse to DIY cleaning, if you know the chimney and your confident to do so then you’ll know its been done properly. But, in anything other than a straight forward chimney and if you’re not confident, then get in an expert. A video of the chimney is probably the only way to be sure that its really clean when there are hidden recesses.
http://www.tamarbrushes.co.uk/
As a Chimney Sweep i understand the importance of using the right tool for the job – cheap one size fit all brushes etc are not up to the job – the correct rod – size brush – and stiffness of brush need to be discovered – the link at the top of this post will lead to a company that make the best in the UK. May i also point out that soot can cause cancer so a mask should be warn and if possible use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.Chimney fires are on the increase so any sweeping will help but there is a reason why i carry 5K worth of equiptment because i am a full time sweep and work to a high standard. Take care all.
Hi Francesca
I think that Chris has answered your comment.
Hi Chris
Thanks for your input.
Hello Graham
It’s great when this happens!
Hi Angela
I don’t think that you will find anything on the domestic market that will deal with hot ashes. Bar has given you an answer for cold ashes.
Incidentally if you have access to logs you don’t need to clean out the ashes for months. You can use the warm ashes to light your fire in the morning.
Hello Bar
Thank you for your input.
You can get an attachment that is said to be suitable for most hoovers from any branch of Machine Mart: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ash-can-filter-for-vacuum-cleaners/path/flus-and-accessories
I’ve not used it so don’t know how good it is, though it does point out it is only suitable once the ashes have cooled.
Hope that helps.
can anyone tell me if I can puchase a hoover that I can clean my log burner out with and suck up the ashes as I am disable and find it difficult to clean
is there a tin hoover that will take the hot ash would be gratful for any news of a hoover that copes with hat ashes
Thankyou – you have just saved me a fortune on the “professional” advice I received last week. I investigated further and turned out I didn’t need my chimney re-lined at all! Best regards, Graham (Norfolk UK)
Francesca
if you have a chimney that potentially opens out into 2 pots you probably need to get a builder or sweep to look at it properly. most chimneys terminate at only 1 pot.Could be that the leaves seperating the 2 chimneys have crumbled away. this will need professional attention.