Before you start using your wood-burning stove regularly again... call the chimney sweep

All wood-burning stove owners should get their chimney swept at least once a year, preferably more regularly. With our poor excuse for a summer starting to draw to a close and poor weather seemingly never to far away, now’s a good time to start thinking about calling upon the services of a chimney sweep.

If you think it won’t be too long before you’ll be wanting to light the stove fairly frequently – perhaps you already are – then don’t delay getting your chimney swept.

One of the main reasons to get your chimney swept is creosote build-up. We’ve written an article detailing what you need to know about creosote in far more detail than we’ll cover here.. In short, creosote endangers your family by increasing the risk of chimney fires and causes your stove to burn less efficiently.

It’s worth pointing out that, used correctly, the modern stoves sold by Gr8fires are far less susceptible to deposit large amounts of creosote than wood-burning stoves of yesteryear, but there will always be some build-up. That means it’s important that you don’t take the risk of not getting your chimney swept.

It’s equally important that you ensure that your chimney is swept properly and professionally. That means getting in touch with HETAS, the Government recognised body that approves services related to solid fuel heating appliances. That includes chimney sweeps.

HETAS-approved chimney sweeps have all attended a training course hosted by a chimney sweep trade association. One such trade association is the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS). NACS’ role is to promote the highest standards of chimney sweeping, inspection and maintenance. They do this through a compulsory training programme and on-site inspection of their members’ work. They also inspect each chimney sweep’s tools, equipment and public liability insurance, so you know that it’s far less likely that anything will go wrong and you’re covered if it does.

So, how do you know a chimney sweep has gone through this training and screening process?

It’s simple. The HETAS website offers a handy search tool allowing you to search for approved chimney sweeps in your area.

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