Frequently Asked Questions

HETAS recommends having your chimney swept at least twice a year if you’re burning wood, or at least once a year if you’re burning smokeless fuels.

If chimneys are not regularly cleaned, they can become a fire hazard and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Some insurance providers will only pay out for fire damage if the chimney has been regularly swept and maintained by a professional.

The best time is the end of the burning season or just before the start of the heating season or if your stove/fireplace hasn’t been used for a long time.

Clear out the firebox and surround by removing logs, grills, tools or any decorative items.
Move or cover any furniture or fixtures with sheeting, although your sweep will bring their own covers for the immediate area.
On wet days, we recommend also covering walk ways, as a precaution.

Yes, lined chimneys still need regular sweeping. We recommend an annual sweep as a minimum.

It can be messy but Northern Sweep will always make sure mess is kept to a minimum, protect the immediate area, and clean up before we leave.

Check with your household insurance company prior to undertaking any DIY sweeping - some policies state that regular chimney sweeps and chimney maintenance have to be carried out by an insured professional for the policy to be valid.

Usually, a sweep takes around 45 minutes but if there are unexpected nests or blockages, it may take longer

When we arrive, we’ll make an external visual inspection.

We’ll lay sheets to protect the area - usually around 2 meters squared around.

We’ll need a nearby plug socket for our commercial vacuum cleaner.

We’ll then chose the most appropriate way to clean your chimney.

Once finished, we’ll clear up any mess and our equipment so you can get on with your day.

The first sign is twigs and other debris around the fireplace.
Nests are not just a nuisance but they can cause a build up of carbon monoxide gas so it’s essential they’re removed prior to using the chimney again.