The beautiful flame and magnificent heat you get from your wood fire at home are just the tonic for those cold evenings. This, on top of the fact that wood can be regenerated, makes it an eco-friendly choice that holds many benefits compared to other fuel sources.
In times of hardship, pinching the pennies can go a long way. This is yet another reason wood comes out on top against electric and gas sources.
What you need to remember, however, is that anywhere you use wood as fuel will require some upkeep. What’s the best way to achieve this high level of maintenance? By hiring a professional chimney sweep.
Here we will examine why hiring a chimney sweep is a good idea and the benefits it can bring to your wood fire.
Is chimney sweeping necessary?
That depends entirely on how safe and secure you want your home and those in it to be. We would always recommend having a chimney sweep to work on your home fire because of the amount of creosote and soot that can build up from burning wet wood.
Creosote in particular can be a very toxic chemical to be in the vicinity of so you should protect yourself and others residing on the property by having it professionally removed. Not only this but the chemical can be a fire hazard so attending to it is important.
However, even if you use high-quality, it’s still wise to hire a chimney sweep.
Creosote and soot will still pile up with wood that contains very little moisture, but the process takes longer.
Thankfully, when you purchase kiln-dried logs from HouseFuel, you won’t need to hire a chimney sweep as often as you would otherwise, but it’s still a good idea to do so now and then.
What does chimney sweeping cost in 2023?
The cost of chimney sweeping can range from anywhere between £50 and £130 depending on who is providing the service, where in the country you are located, how many appliances you need cleaning, and how regularly your appliances have been cleaned in the last two years.
How often does my chimney need sweeping?
Assuming you’re purchasing the best kiln-dried wood logs around, you might only need to hire a chimney sweep once a year.
This means that you are not only saving on the volume of wood you buy because kiln-dried logs burn more efficiently than wet wood, but you’re also reducing the number of times you need a chimney sweep to visit.
However, if you decide to use wet wood or wood that hasn’t been kiln-dried, this could lead you to need a chimney sweep to inspect and clean your firepit around three times a year.
The likelihood of you needing to light a fire in the summer is less than the chance you’ll use your fire pit in the winter, so many in the industry believe that the best time to have a chimney sweep visit is around September.
Your chimney can therefore be inspected immediately before you begin using it to make sure it’s in good condition.
Are you in need of the chimney repair? Get help from the Chimney Repair Charleston SC technicians who have been certified in all types of repairs and replacements by top companies in the industry.
How do I know if they’re a good chimney sweep?
As long as the chimney sweep in question has suitable credentials, like the HETAS approval, you can rest assured that they will provide sufficient service. They will have all the professional equipment to provide optimal service.
The good news is that HETAS provides a search tool for customers looking for an approved chimney sweep. You don’t necessarily have to hire somebody with that approval, however, but it often gives people peace of mind when they know they’ve hired a chimney sweep possessing it.
How long does chimney sweeping take?
Again, this will depend on factors like the provider you’ve chosen and the care that’s been taken of the appliance. Assuming you don’t need any repairs done, you won’t need to clear your diary as the job can take around an hour.
However, repairs will add a significant amount of time to this, possibly doubling or doubling how long is required.
Conclusion
Chimney sweeping is something we’d always suggest you look into if you have wood-burning appliances. This is to keep people safe from toxic chemicals and fire, plus it’s always nice to have a clean fire pit.
For all of your firewood needs, check out HouseFuel’s range.