About:

I grew up in the mining valleys of South Wales where coal fires were our only source of heating. We burned dirty coal and chimney fires were a regular spectacle. Luckily my grandfather, who worked in the mines, was the street sweep and our chimney was regularly cleaned. I used to watch him sweeping our two flues and when I was around ten years old I began helping him, both at home and down the street. He never sent me up the chimney, thank heavens, but my first job was to blow a whistle outside in the street when the brush appeared through the top of the chimney. Over time I progressed to sweeping alongside him and then on my own. However, when I was eighteen I left the valleys for the student life and spent the subsequent forty years teaching and didn't sweep again.

When I retired from teaching I wanted a second career that would be completely different to my first one and it's no surprise that I decided to revisit my youth and become a full time sweep. I was conscious that things have moved on in the sweeping business and was impressed with the training and ethos of the Guild of Master Sweeps, so I enrolled with them to become a fully trained member; which was rather like being a sexagenarian apprentice.

One huge difference I've noticed in the trade is the remarkable improvement in equipment and cleanliness. Instead of the stiff old rods my grand-dad used the modern nylon rods and brushes are a revelation; not to mention the wonderful Viper, which would probably sweep a figure of eight if I ever encountered one. Moreover, health and safety is now paramount and the cleanliness of the sweeping process is astonishing. I can assure you that the combination of my own fastidiousness and my ultra powerful Numatic vac, with industrial filters, will leave your home looking as if the sweep hasn't been. Only the fact that your chimney will be cleaner and safer will be testament to the fact that he has.

Further proof of sweeping will be the Guild's sweeping certificate which I'll issue on completion. This not only asserts that the chimney has been cleaned to the high standard set by the Guild but also alerts you to any issues of safety which the sweep feels should be addressed. Insurance companies accept this certificate as proof of sweep maintenance; which could prove priceless to you in the unfortunate event of a house fire, when insurers will often try to avoid payment by citing lack of maintenance as contributory negligence.

Annual Chimney Sweeping and Inspection:

Annual chimney sweeping and inspection, at the very minimum, is recommended by HETAS and The Guild Of Master Sweeps. Heavily used wood burners should be checked and cleaned more often.

Without regular cleaning soot can build up within the flue and this is a major cause of chimney fires. The sooty deposits also reduce the efficiency of the appliance and mean that you will not be getting the optimum heat from the expensive fuel youʼre burning and more importantly, by reducing the extraction efficiency of your chimney, allow hazardous gases to enter your home. Please read the section on Carbon Monoxide elsewhere on this site.

It should be born in mind that chimneys that are infrequently used should also be regularly cleaned to ensure that they have not become blocked up with twigs etc introduced by birds. Donʼt think that because you havenʼt lit that fire since last Christmasʼ family party that itʼs bound to be o.k. It may not be, and carbon monoxide poisoning is not a good way to celebrate Christmas.

The Sootbuster offers a full range of chimney services including the fitting of cowls and bird guards, to safeguard your chimney and help achieve maximum efficiency from your appliance.

You will by now have realised that SAFETY is referred to many times, this is because it is the most important aspect of my job and I want you and your family to know that.

The sweeping process takes about an hour. I shall ensure that the whole process is carried out in a clean and efficient way, with no mess from soot or dust. However, I would ask that the appliance be cold and that loose items such as companion sets and ornaments in the area of the hearth and mantel be removed prior to my arrival. I utilise a very large and powerful vacuum cleaner with a two inch hose that has to be situated adjacent to where Iʼm sweeping and I do need to be able to operate it easily.

Stove & Flue Installation:

The Sootbuster is fully qualified and registered with HETAS. This is the UKʼs official body to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, and they maintain a list of competent installers. Building Regs in England and Wales demand that all installations comply with their standards.