Why getting your chimney swept at the start of the burning season isn’t optimal

Although at the onset and during winter is typically when people opt to get their chimney swept, this is the least practical time to get your stove serviced or your chimney swept!

From September and especially October onwards, experienced chimney sweeps are inundated with enquiries taking them through the winter months. This is especially true for chimney sweeping businesses who also do stove installations. Due to the fact we are also stove installers, we have a greater knowledge of flue systems as compared to standalone chimney sweeping businesses and are also able to deal with any and all issues in house. Managing demand however becomes extremely challenging during winter due to the influx of enquiries in the colder months. This is a common trend among many trades including plumbers who get more call outs due to heating systems breaking down when they are used most. As the old saying goes ‘ Get cold jobs done in the summer, and hot jobs done in the winter’.

When is it best to get my chimney swept?

The best time to get your chimney swept is at the end of the burning season, when you typically stop using your stove as frequently - this is usually from April onwards. The reason for this, is not just due to the challenges of pinning down a reputable sweep in winter, but also due to the amount of soot that is left behind after a winters use - when the most amount of soot is generated. Leaving this soot in the chimney, up until the time it is to be used frequently again, is not the best idea! Soot is by it’s nature acidic and corrosive. It eats away at the lining (be that metal or mortar) of the chimney reducing the chimney liner as well as the stoves lifespan. It is also absorbent and therefore will soak up moisture which is then more difficult to remove and can sometimes generate an unpleasant smell. Servicing the stove and making sure it is in a ready to use state - after the main burning season, is when you should get your chimney swept.

The only reason that one might need a sweep before the stove is put to use again is when the chimney has an open pot which leaves the chimney vulnerable to birds nesting. The solution here though, is to have a terminal fitted rather than leaving the chimney vulnerable to nesting. Terminals (also called cowls) fit to the top of the pot and prevent birds from nesting, they also protect the chimneys from water ingress into your property, so it is generally good practice to have one.

By signing up to our servicing schedule we will provide you with a suitable date to service your appliance and sweep your chimney each year at the end of the burning season. We also offer terminal / cowl installation services and can meet any of your other flue and chimney needs.

Sign up, by filling our our contact form here

If the chimney sweeping cannot wait until the end of the burning season, it would be wise to sign up to our servicing schedule so we can ensure we can fit your appointment in at the end of the burning season and ensure it is done in a timely fashion each year without the hassle of trying to find a reputable, established and experienced sweep with availability in winter.

Our management software ensures we keep track of your appointments for you and send reminders each time; giving you one less thing to worry about!

Customer Feedback

GENUINE CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM GOOGLE

David Husband

Great service again, you literally couldn't fault the job they do, they are spotlessly clean whilst they work. Jack serviced our fire this year and he is a lovely fella just like Deri. Very happy to recommend again this year.

Don Skelton

Deri supplied, fitted and commissioned a log burner for us. Polite, professional, kept us informed at all stages. Turned up when he said, worked like a trooper all day & made a fantastic job & a great explanation of all things log burners. If your looking for a professional job, give Deri a shout, I doubt you’ll be disappointed… Now had Deri & Jack back for several services… top job, clean tidy & professional

Dods Arnold

Excellent service.... good advice....not overpriced..... Will certainly use them next year.. ..thank you Jack for brilliant service

Janet Prosser

Excellent service, covers on floors, covers on the front of log burner. Jack text when he was near to coming with an eta. Very friendly and did a great service on our log burner. All clean and tidy. Thank you

Rob Edwards

We purchased our woodburner from Calon Yr Adref after looking for a local business with a personal approach. They did not disappoint! Deri was quick to respond and very accommodating to all our needs. He sorted all the parts to create the perfect install and arranged postage for us. His service from start to finish was excellent. Everything went together a dream and was exactly right for the space. We would highly recommend supporting this growing business, they are fantastic folk! Thank you so much!

Martin Collins

Highly recommend these guys, from start to finish, they provide a faultless service. Both easy going lads, but very professional, with a wealth of knowledge for their trade. We have had 100% honesty, and a job completed to a really high standard.

Tony & Julie

Deri and his team carried out a thoroughly professional job of providing and installing a gas stove at our home including the final connection to our gas supply. Thank you.

Fred Rees

After previously using Calon Y Adref a couple of months ago, I have had Deri and Jack come back to install an excellent stove that was recommended by Deri, absolute class service from start to finish, yet again Calon Y Adref have exceeded my expectations, full supply and fit carried out with top class work. You won’t find better in the county or beyond, thank you again guys top job!!!!

Geraint Lewis

Excellent service

Samantha Crowfoot

Excellent job - friendly, very knowledgeable, will definitely use again

Claire Rees

Fab service. Thanks. Jack was friendly, methodical and did a great job.

Jac Hall

Jack came today instead of Deri, but was equally cheerful and efficient, and did a very good, thorough, clean job. Wholeheartedly recommend!

Osian Jones

Messaged to check if they covered my area to do a chimney repair. Unfortunately they didn't but Deri took the time to send a video explaining the steps he would take to try and resolve the problem. Didn't have to, but shows what a professional he is by doing it. Would highly recommend. Thanks again for the help

Carl Clement

Superb service, Deri is knowledgeable, helpful and a pleasure to have in our home. Chimney swept quickly and professionally, useful advice for a first time stove owner, and even performed some additional maintenance for us. Highly recommended.

F Rees

Deri came to my home today and worked above and beyond, I highly recommend him he has heaps of knowledge and runs a very professional business. Thank you very much!! I will without a doubt use him in future.

Peter Howell

Your expert advice, the installation with a chimney check and a new cowl were of the highest standard, with an organised work plan in a quiet engaging working atmosphere. Guaranteed to be the perfect combination at the ‘HEART of the HOME’. DIOLCH YN FAWR IAWN. Gwynne, Mary, Peter

Julie Griffiths

Thank you Derri and Jack your workmanship is incredible and you have transformed my fireplace. You were both polite and made me feel reassured that I was in safe hands. Nothing was a bother and you left the place clean and tidy every evening when you left. I recommend this skilful pair even if it means waiting for them. Derri still in touch to support me with what fire surround to have if I decide to have one. Thank you both for helping me on my long journey to make my place look amazing

Owen Pollard-Rice

Deri made an excellent job of our installation and finished to a very high standard. His workmanship is not common these days as he takes the time to make sure everything is completed to a high standard and really takes care to look after your property. I would thoroughly recommend him for any installation.