21st Century cleaning of chimneys ancient and modern. Professional, friendly service. Certificates issued. |
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All prices are plus VAT
Standard sweep (Open fire/wood burning stove) . .£65 + VAT
(Up to 3 storey plus attic, £10 + VAT for each additional storey)
Additional chimneys at same property .....£55 + VAT
Inglenook unless lined (large open fireplace poss. with canopy) .....from:£75 + VAT
Large Inglenooks .....£ P.O.A
Stove servicing £65+parts (£55 if done at the same time as a sweep) + VAT
Bird nest removal (includes sweeping) .....first hour: Standard sweep price
Additional time if large nest per half hour: £30 + VAT
(If you suspect you have a nest please let me know at time of booking)
Fitting of bird guards/cowl.£75 plus cowl.. .(approx..£30/40+) + VAT
Assuming straightforward ladder access. Price varies for unusual or oversize pots
Payment methods: cash, cheque, bacs, apple pay, debit and credit cards.
Upon arrival I will visually check your chimney stack for defects from ground level (using binoculars if required). I will also note any cowl or guard fitted to ensure this is appropriate for the type of fire/appliance.
Whilst inside your property I will remove my footwear, wear over-shoe protectors or lay out carpet runner sheets as appropriate.
After an initial, brief inspection of the fireplace I will protect my working area with purpose made sheets. These are dense, close weave sheets (not old bedding etc). These are laid in double or triple layers as appropriate to the situation.
I will discuss the fire with you, your use or intended use, fuel uses and any issues that have arisen.
Your fireplace will be sealed with a Chimney Sweep's sheet or high density foam as appropriate and I will then use a method of sweeping that is appropriate to your chimney and situation.
Typically I will choose between the following:
* Traditional rods and brushes utilising a
brush of appropriate stiffness
* Viper method this is a long continuous rod on a reel normally
fitted with a stainless steel brush particularly suitable for cleaning
flexible liners.
* Power Sweeping special rods (for either masonry or liner flues)
are fitted with a nylon flail, similar to strimmer line, and then attached
to a cordless power drill. This is particularly good at removing stubborn
deposits and special attachments can help to remove birds nests etc
Soot, debris and deposits are removed and your fireplace area left clean and ready for use.
I check the installation for compliance with building regulations and will advise you if any maintenance is necessary or if any dedicated ventilation is required. If the installation is in a dangerous condition where either fire or fumes would be a real hazard should it be used then it is my duty to inform you not to use it until rectified and serve a notice to that effect. I will always seek to find a remedy to this situation if possible.
The chimney flue is then smoke tested to ensure smoke is drawn up the flue properly and exits the correct chimney pot as expected.
You will be supplied with a certificate of sweeping.
There is the opportunity to ask me for any advice in regard to fire usage or fuelling, in regard to any future plans.
Many customers seek to have their stove serviced alongside the chimney sweeping.
I will:
dismantle the inside workings of the stove, examining the components for damage and/or overheating.
The components will be cleaned and reinstalled.
Airways serving airwash systems will be cleaned out.
Stove glass cleaned.
Rope seals checked and replaced as necessary.
Additional charge is made for parts only e.g. Firebricks, fireproof rope, glass etc. Sundries such as fire cement, specialist glues and sealants are not chargeable. In some cases I may have to order parts specific to your stove and return at another time to complete the service.
Many people don't realise that the test button on your carbon monoxide alarm only tests the battery and sounder circuits. It is also not widely appreciated that the sensors on the alarms can fail, a typical lifespan is 5-7 years. Factors such as cigarette smoke, cooking fumes, dust and other airborne pollutants can shorten sensor life. The Chimney Sweeper can test your alarm using concentrated CO gas intended for this purpose and record this test on the sweeping certificate. This is a prudent choice, in particular for Landlords who have a responsibility to install and check co alarms. Providing this is carried out at the same time as a sweep I make a very small charge for this service.
Be aware that it is illegal to attempt to remove a bird's nest during the nesting season (February-August). Additionally it will be particularly unpleasant to bring the birds themselves and their young down into your property. If you need your fire during this period eg for primary heating or hot water or if the nest is causing a health and safety issue then you may be able to apply to the government for a licence to remove it.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wild-birds-protection-surveys-and-licences
Bird nests can produce an enormous amount of dusty material and debris. The complete height of the stack may be full with this debris.
Removal of small nests can be straightforward and form part of the normal sweep.
Large nests can be difficult to shift and remove, hampered by restricted access. The length of time necessary to remove the nest is largely unpredictable.
The process can create a large amount of airborne dust, this will be contained as much as possible but expect additional sheeting to be necessary and possibly extended disruption as material will have to be removed from the chimney, bagged and carried outside.
Bird nests are removed from the bottom up so as not to compress the nest and to break up its structure.
Open fires are generally quicker to remove debris from, installations with small sweeping access plates may be more drawn out for obvious reasons.
If you have a bird nest in a flexible liner it is very likely to have caused damage to liner itself and further damage may occur in its removal. A replacement liner is likely to be required. For this reason all flexible liners should have been installed complete with a bird guard.
If you have had a bird nest or have an open chimney pot do seriously consider fitting a bird guard. If you have disused chimneys then consider fitting caps to seal them (providing a little ventilation). Bird nests can smell unpleasant and are a source of many serious airborne diseases such as Histoplasmosis, Candidiasis and Salmonellosis.
I will discuss with you the need for a cowl and advise you of the appropriate type.
I can supply a suitable cowl for you, that complies with British Standards, from a reputable manufacturer.
I am happy to fit a cowl supplied by you so long as it is approved for use for your type of fire or appliance and the fuel you intend to use. There are many regulations governing this so be aware of what you are buying and where from.
I will employ a safe method of accessing and working on your chimney. This may involve a ladder or ladders or on occasions an ariel platform such as a cherry picker' may have to be used or in some cases scaffolding. Situations with difficult access needing equipment beyond basic ladders and roof ladders may incur additional costs, I will discuss this with you beforehand.
Should you be in the process of building work and already have access via scaffolding or indeed have ready access, via flat roof for example, I am happy to adjust my prices accordingly.
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