We believe that all fires and chimneys should be kept in a clean and well-maintained condition.

A customer came into our showroom seeking advice on chimney / stove maintenance, he was confused and puzzled by the lack of clear advice available online, (we of-course helped him and advised him on the best options) we had a look online ourselves and couldn’t agree more.

So… we have decided to create our own clear, simple advice. We will be producing this is a number of blogs focused on specific elements of your stove / fire maintenance.

Week 1: 3 Top tips for taking care of your chimney…

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1. Have your chimney swept often

The most important tip is to keep your chimney swept on a regular basis.

Chimneys require a clear passageway for the gasses to exit your home. You’d be surprised what can get stuck in your chimney, from tar and creosote to birds nests and cobwebs.

Below are some rough guidelines to the frequency you should have your chimney swept, but always contact a professional first as times can vary.

Coal – Twice per year

Wood Burning – Twice per year

Gas – Once per year (if designed for chimney sweeping)

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2. Use well-seasoned firewood

You should only burn well-seasoned firewood.

There’s a wide range of benefits to doing so, not only will it increase the efficiency of your fire but it will also ensure clean combustion and minimise the risk of damaging your chimney.

Logs with high moisture content can have negative effects on the efficiency rate of your fire, they also increase the chances of your chimney becoming clogged up with tar and smoke, resulting in corrosion of the internal flue.

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3. Check your chimney terminal

Be sure to check your chimney terminal as it can occasionally become cluttered with overhanging tree branches. If you do experience overhanging trees, we advise that you have them cut back to enable a clear passage way for your chimney.

If you fire hasn’t been used for a while, the chances of it becoming blocked with birds nests, debris and snow are dramatically increased. Always check your chimney terminal and rain cap for any signs of the above.

If you have any questions about your chimney maintenance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.