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 meant to say that the scrap wood has a lot less resin in it than the odd pine tree (usually Leylandii) I am asked to fell.
The way I wrote it makes no sense. Too much of a rush….
I suppose I have become a bit complacent over the years. I used to burn almost 100% ash as I had felling rights on a large wood nearby. Now it is a mix of ‘can you fell this tree for me’ and a lot of scrap wood from my friendly builder. It is all dry and stored under cover. I do avoid the pine trees I am asked t fell, but most of the scrap wood is of course soft wood, but has a lot less resin in it than builders timer despite being the same species. I probably have around 3 tons stored at any one time.
The boiler has a 5″ SS flue pipe about 3′ long. That goes through the register plate and is then ‘free standing’ in the large cavity above the chimney brest and below the actual flue proper. Yes, stuff does collect on the register plate and I do clear it out on a regular basis.
This weekend to be absolutely sure I swept the chimney. Proper brushes and up and down motion together with multiple twisting of the rods with a windy handle. Most of what I got out was detritus from the chimney fire, and I guess there was about 1 cubic foot in total. Be good on the garden next year.
And if truth be told I think I am happier with my job than the recent professional job.
I have just suffered a spectacular chimney fire at my cottage. I was not there at the time but got a call and arrived very shortly after it started. A friend had been burning papers in the woodburner.
First response (mine) was to put a couple of decent shovels of sand on the fire, shut all the air vents on the wodburner then check the stack all the way up including the loft for smoke or hot spots. All was OK, so I decided to keep a watching brief and just let it go out. No air means no fire in my book.
All was well and it was starting to die down and then some jobsworth decided to call the fire brigade.
They arrived and for quite a while did nothing other than have a cup of tea. Then, becasue they were there and there was still smoke after half an hour decided to rod the chimney. I kid you not it was like an episode from dads army – drain rods with a hose attached and a guy on a stirrup pump with a bucket in my lounge!
And becasue they had opened the lot up to full air on a windy night the results outside were spectacular.
All is well that ends well, apart from the mess and crud all over my roof, but I have a few puzzles and would be interested in the comments particularly of the sweeps who have been on here.
The stove is a good one, a Jotul, and I have had it for perhaps 15 years. The flue is unlined but the stove terminates in a 5″ flue pipe through a register plate. I can remove that plate at will to clean off behind it and do so frequently.
The brigade removed buckets of stuff, which they told me was tar, or burnt tar by then.
However, the chimney is regularly swept, and was last done by a professional 6 weeks ago. I will confess that I also sweep it once a year and only use the professionals once a year in the autumn.
So, how do I get rid of the tar build up? I did see some brushes in France made of wire. Would one of those help.
Be interested in your thoughts.
Hello John J
What wood have you been burning? I’ve heard that pine is very iffy as it builds up lots of residue. Also how does the flue meet the wood burning stove – it should be a complete journey from stove to chimney top without the need to clear the register plate. There is something wrong here. if there is a build up of residue/
Ours just opens into a chimney above the registration plate. This obviously need to be cleared and hoovered regularly.
I have heard about fires starting between the installed flue and the chimney – this shouldn’t happen but perhaps this happened with yours. If so you need to check if there are gaps, falling short of the end of the chimney etc.
Well Graham perhaps I should join them, my van has just about had it! Seriously though chimneys can be the most dangerous thing in a household if not afforded the proper respect, but fortunately, learning that respect can be done in a safe manner, if common sense, diligence to timely sought advice and guidance and a sense of humour prevails.
To many Sweeps trying to scare people from DIY. Bet they all have luxury cars also,
I am a professional chimney sweep and my family have been sweeping chimneys for over 60 years. It does take years to become competent in sweeping any potential chimney, that as a sweep, you may come across, however, I believe that with common sense, good advice, guidance and clear instruction, it would not be impossible for a chimney owner to competently sweep their own chimney, if they were so inclined. I know many people that do, with varying results. If chimney owners are going to attempt their own sweepings, they could do far worse than obtaining clear advice on the subject. Coincidently, our site provides an abundance and ebooks for various chimney / appliance configurations, but remember, they are for assistance in deciding whether self sweeping should be attempted or not. Our site also provides an email channel for ongoing advice, guidance and resources.
Hello all,
I should first introduce myself
I am the current Chairman of the Guild of master chimnney sweeps.
I am very happy to see this subject being discussed and as you would expect I would suggest that chimney sweeping is not a DIY job and I will explain why.
Firstly removing soot and flammable tar are not the only reasons to sweep your flue. The smoke and gasses produced by your solid fueled fire contain very high levels of carbon monoxide 30,000ppm is normal for a real fire while 400ppm is a lot for a gas fire. So smoke isnt just smelly it will gas you. (34% of all carbon monoxide incidents are solid fuel related)
It takes approximatley 2 years working everyday with a chimney sweep to become vaguely competent. Initial Guild training courses are three days theoretical and 8 weeks practical.
Equipment costs with a `H` Vacuum, proper chimney rods (not bendy drain rods) An assortment of brushes, sheets, sealing cloths, proper safety equipment p3 respirators coveralls,etc (creosote contains volatile organic compounds such as benzine which are highly carcinogenic ) will cost thousands.
Of course you can by a set of drain rods 1 B&Q brush and hope for the best.
I am a big a DIY enthusiast BUT chimney sweeping is not a DIY job. The chimney carries away the poisonous fumes from your solid,gas or oil appliance.
The way to find a sweep that is assured to have appropriate insurances, training and equipment is to search through one of the industry approved trade organisations such as the guild of master chimney sweeps www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps or the NACS the national association of chimney sweeps. www.chimneyworks.co.uk
Many insurance companies now insist that the any live chimney is swept by a competent person and that an approved certificate is issued.
Yours Faithfully
Daniel Hodgson
GMCS Chairman
Just to say early this morning our chimney sweep removed a jackdaw from our chimney. I wouldn’t want to tackle that myself! (Chimney sweep sustained a wrenched elbow as a consequence). His fee was comparatively small and he left us the ash for our allotment.
Hi Sebbie
We have jackdaws nesting in our chimney again this year. Grrr. They make such a racket but D is soft and so they are here to stay for the summer.
In the autumn I’m going to put a bird proof cap on the chimney.
www.jamesthesweep.co.uk
On my website it has some really good tips on fuel types and what not to burn.
By following the advice on my website your chimney will last longer and your appliance will operate better and hotter.
@ Jeremy,
BS 6461 was withdrawn on 30th November 2008.
The standard is on the “Installation of chimneys and flues for domestic appliances burning solid fuel”. Not necessary for cleaning a chimney. I do not know if there is a british standard for cleaning a chimney, but a standard for installation of chimneys does not seem necessary.