Faq’s
How often should I get my chimney swept?
We encourage having your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood or bituminous house coal and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used over a prolonged period.
How do I prepare for my sweep?
It is important to ensure that you have left sufficient time after your last fire to let any ash cool and remove any unburnt fuel.
Therefore, we ask that you do not light the fire for 24 hours before. Move ornaments off the hearth and mantelpiece. Finally, provide access by ensuring a clear 2m x 2m working space in front of the fireplace.
What is a service and sweep?
A service and sweep is a combined chimney maintenance visit where both the appliance and the chimney/flue system are looked after at the same appointment.
We professionally sweep the chimney to remove soot and debris, then service your appliance by inspecting, cleaning, and checking key components for safe operation.
Included in the service:
- Chimney Rotary Power Sweeping of the chimney/flue.
- Stove MOT and assessment
- Fuel check to ensure correct wood/fuel is being used.
- Certificate issued to validate your insurance.
- Extended Warranty *if serviced and swept annually and purchased from Danton’s*
- The stove stripped down and cleaned & serviced.
- A safety check of the stove door and seals.
- Advice given to users to ensure best operation for ongoing use of the stove.
- Full consumable parts & repair service available.
- Re-coating of stove with Colloidal to give a showroom finish and added protection.
Why is an annual service and sweep so important?
‘The total number of chimney fires which occurred in England during 2024-25 is 2,019 (approximately 1.4% of total fires), with incidents peaking January – March. Statistics show that 40% of chimney fires in England, Scotland, and Wales take place over these three months, coinciding with the period where people will be using their stoves the most to keep their homes warm.’ https://www.hetas.co.uk/chimney-fire-safety-week-2025/
A Service & Sweep keeps your stove and chimney safe, clean, and working efficiently. It is essential that you have the flue swept every year of the life of the stove for the ongoing safety of use. With the recent trend and popularity of stoves, there has also been an increase in the amount of chimney fires reported. These are usually caused by lack of maintenance of the stove and the flue.
Most household insurance policies now have a clause that requires a chimney or flue being used for a wood or solid fuel fire MUST be swept every 12 months by a recognised and qualified chimney sweep, with a certificate being issued by the sweep to validate the insurance policy. Beyond the safety of your stove and chimney, an annual service and sweep also assists in maintaining the efficiency of your fire.
Will my home be kept clean?
NACS Chimney Sweeps are very mindful and conscious of making as little mess as possible and are in fact trained in the prevention of dust escaping during sweeping. However, there are exceptional circumstances, e.g. if a chimney may be blocked with a birds nest, which makes it difficult to guarantee that no mess will be made.
To ensure the cleanest and most mess-free service, our sweep lays multiple sheets to protect your furnishings and floor from any soot or debris. Our sweep also wears neoprene over-boots that ensure that no soot or dirt from outside is brought into your property. Following the service and sweep, he will also hoover the hearth to collect any remaining soot that may have fallen during the clean
Do I need my chimney swept before it is closed off?
If you are having your chimney closed off, it will require a sweep prior to being closed. When a chimney is closed off, it can become damp – this affects any potential soot that remains in your chimney. Soot is acidic – if it absorbs any moisture in your closed chimney, it becomes a substance that can leave black marks through your walls and chimney and, in exceptional circumstances, cause structural integrity issues or cause chimney fires.
Why should I use a NACS Chimney Sweep?
NACS Chimney Sweeps undertake a rigorous training course and must successfully complete a full assessment before becoming a NACS Member. All NACS Members must hold valid insurance for Chimney Sweeping, as specified in the NACS Code of Conduct. They must also have the correct equipment to undertake the job, which is checked during their assessment.
A bird has come down my chimney; how do I prevent this happening again?
Seek the advice of your local NACS Chimney Sweep by calling us on 01482 866990. They will be able to advise you on a suitable terminal/guard for your chimney. We can carry out this work for you, so please ask for a quote.