DIY DISASTERS: Why You Should Leave Chimney Sweeping and Fireplace Installation To The Professionals…
June 21, 2020
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DIY is set to skyrocket in the next few months as more people spend time at home.
But there’s some jobs you really should leave to the experts.
Among them are fitting your own solid fuel woodburner/open fire or sweeping your chimney.
Why? Well put simply they both are highly skilled trades which take years to master.
Done incorrectly, they have the capacity to cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney/house fires.
Now, I’ve met plenty of DIYers and many will happily argue that there’s nothing difficult about any of these.
‘Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you?’ is the usual response, somehow implying that I’m trying to make it more complex than it actually is.
The plain fact is that you don’t know what you don’t know.
Just because I brush my teeth daily doesn’t mean to say that I wouldn’t visit the dentist for a regular check up or a having a new filling.
The same principles of leaving it to the experts apply to solid fuel installation and flue maintenance…
Here’s some of the typical pitfalls people who think they know what they’re doing end up in:
Stove/Fireplace Installation:
⁃ Failure to adequately clean and inspect any current flueway before installation
⁃ Dangerous working practices
⁃ Insufficient PPE
⁃ Incorrect connection to the chimney
⁃ Incorrect terminals
⁃ Lack of adequate ventilation
⁃ Unsuitable appliance sizing
⁃ Unsuitable materials used
⁃ Failure to adhere/understand safe distances to combustibles
– Lack of buildings regs sign off/potentially voiding your home/personal insurances
Chimney Sweeping:
⁃ Incorrect equipment
⁃ Dangerous working practices
⁃ Insufficient PPE
⁃ Failure to sweep the flue properly
⁃ Unable to interpret results of debris fall
⁃ Failure to pick up on faults/failures due to lack of experience
⁃ Causing damage to your flue and/or property
⁃ Inadequate servicing of the appliance
– Potentially voiding warranties/home insurances
The best way to avoid these pitfalls is get a trusted, solid fuel registered professional in to do the job. Look out for specific trade accreditation's or registrations which are directly relevant to the solid fuel industry, such as fireplace/stove installing or chimney sweeping.
There are certain things you can do to ensure your appliance is kept working as well as possible, such as regular de-ashing, replacing cracked bricks and so on.
But when it comes to the big jobs involving flueways and connecting to them – which help keep you and your family safe- please leave it to the professionals…
So here we go again. Another lockdown. Back to where we were in March. Well, not exactly. There are some quite big differences, and they’re actually good news for sweeps, stove fitters and their customers. Because unlike in March, when the government’s advice was much misunderstood – prompting many sweeps and installers to down tools – they have been more forthright this time. They have now spelt out, in black and white, that people ARE able to work in other people’s homes. Crystal clear. End of.
SIA Ecodesign Ready Scheme is a new scheme to increase environmental benefits of wood burning stoves. Air Quality is extremley important and Eco Design Ready Stoves reduce emissions by 90% Ecodesign is a European programme to lower emissions and the new regulation will come into force in the UK in 2022. The Ecodesign Ready scheme is supported by DEFRA. The SIA Ecodesign Ready label will set the standard for the most environmentally friendly stoves available today. For more information you can visit Stove Industry Alliance
There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to use a fireplace when you want. But imagine having to go without it from winter until the following autumn. That’s the position you could find yourself in if birds decide to nest in your chimney. Historically, the nesting season in the UK usually starts around March time. However, over recent years, jackdaws and starlings have started nesting much earlier – sometimes as early as January. They’re also getting more territorial, often returning to the same location year after year. And once they start building a nest, it is protected by law. Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to destroy an active bird’s nest without good reason. Simply wanting to use your fire isn’t a good enough reason, and any professional sweep will not break the law. The truth is, that if your chimney isn’t properly protected and you get caught out, then you simply have to be patient.
Fireplaces have many functions, from being pieces of history to a simple ‘nice to have’ accessory. But at certain times, they can also prove to be a lifeline. During a power cut, fireplaces can provide a main source of heating. It gives a sense of security as an independent heat source. And for people who are on their own for long periods of time, it can be almost like a companion. Stove and fireplace usage could rise above normal levels over the next few months, given world events. But is your appliance ready to rise to the challenge? The key to having a consistent and effective supply of heat from your fireplace depends on one person – you. Here’s 5 ways YOU can ensure your appliance is in the best shape possible. Book A Chimney Sweep NOW
You can have a chimney pretty much anywhere these days thanks to twin wall insulated systems. These factory-made flues negate the need to build an expensive, brick chimney and are quicker to install. However, they aren’t without their issues if they’re not operated or installed correctly.