Chimney Sweeping & Servicing

‘A chimney is effectively an exhaust pipe for your home. It’s primary job is to funnel away all the smoke, harmful gasses, sparks, hot ashes and soot from your home which is why it is important to ensure it is maintained correctly.’

Chimney Safety

Chimneys have been around for hundreds of years. They have adapted over these years but the main purpose is still to provide a structure that allows smoke to disperse away from a confined space to avoid serious health problems and choking. Every time you light an appliance that burns fuel, you are actually releasing 100 times more carbon monoxide than the average gas or oil based appliance. Therefore, a safe flue is extremely important for the safety of you and your family. That’s not to say a chimney cannot be enjoyed, just as long as it is used safely. The chimney can also act as the ‘heart of the home’ with its warm hearth and mesmerizing embers that make you feel safe and cosy whilst also providing warmth and comfort in the colder months. In a time when more people than ever are looking to add a chimney in their home or restore a chimney to its former glory, there are a few things to take into consideration to ensure that you stay safe whilst you enjoy your chimney in a time where there has been a significant increase in house fires and dangerous creosote build up.

1. Ensure that you know what the right fuel is for your chimney- Dry wood with less than 20% water is a good example of the right fuel
2. Ensure that you have a 6-12 month sweep – this will be able to tell you if your flue is in good condition or if you need any work done to ensure it stays safe
3. Book in a chimney service to ensure that there is no short term issues that can cause long term damage. These are the times when there is likely to be an issue due to the weather changes

Remember, If you have any smoke suddenly dispensing into the room with the chimney, please ensure that you evacuate the property immediately for your own safety and then call us when safe to do so.

Insurance

When you purchase a home, you also purchase insurance policies like contents insurance and home insurance. These insurances are supposed to cover you in cases where your home or contents are destroyed or severely damaged. However, did you know that even with these insurances you may not be covered for any damage to your house from chimney fires? In most terms and conditions, there is a clause that states that you must maintain and fix any issues that could pose a danger to your home and safety as they arise. Sufficient maintenance must be undertaken in order to ensure that you are covered under your insurance should an accident happen. ALS Chimney’s provides a number of chimney maintenance services to ensure that you and your flue remain safe.

Chimney Stack repair and repoint

Chimney stacks can become weathered and damaged over time and decay can set in causing voids in the joints which then let in water and salt and speed up the stacks deterioration. ALS Chimneys offers a repointing and repair service and our chimney experts can conduct a thorough inspection of your chimney and then advise the best re-stack, re-point solution for your needs.

Chimney Pots, Cowls & Bird Guards

Chimney pots, cowls and bird guards are the perfect solution to stop birds nests falling down your chimney, keep the chimney dry to reduce damp issues and heat loss and reduce smoking/ poor drawing from your stove. ALS Chimneys fit anti downdraught cowls, decorative cowls, bird guards, rain cowls, gas cowls and redundant chimney capping cowls. Our specialists are trained in all aspects of chimney care and if you have any concerns about your current pots, cowls and bird guard, or lack of them, please call them today to book a free of charge technical survey.

Regular Sweeping

Effective regular sweeping of your chimney is a way to ensure that your flue is kept safe and clear from birds nests, soot build ups and the removal of any other harmful debris that may have dropped down from the chimney pot. All of the above can lead to damaging the lining, exposing the mortar joints and brickwork corrosion and in worst case scenario’s can lead to the chimney collapsing.

One common misperception is that only chimneys that burn ‘solid fuels’ can fall foul to this deterioration however, even a gas flame effect fire can cause these problems. If a new appliance is being installed in a chimney previously used for solid fuels it should be swept before hand. the Gas Safe Register (GFE) recommends that any gas appliance is checked annually to ensure its safety and efficiency.

If you are unsure about the condition of your chimney, wish to conduct a survey, or want advice on the right lining for your chimney then please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact form.