Welcome to chimney sweep and

fireplace installations.

My name is Mark Killick I am a fully certified NACS Chimney Sweep (National Association of Chimney Sweeps) and HETAS Fireplace and Stove installer

Over the years I have dealt with most situations, whether is it be a simple sweep of an open fired brick chimney, opening up an unused or old chimney, lining an old brick chimney (which I would strongly recommend) to install a stove, plus restoration work for those who like to see the original period fireplace setting restored in all there glory.

As an approved Hetas  installer and NACS chimney sweep, those of you who have a wood or multi-fuel stove, removing your stove to sweep your flue or chimney as well as re-install your stove is not a problem, many chimney sweeps do not install fireplaces or stoves. If you are thinking of joining the growing number of people who heat their homes with a wood burner, please take a look at my wood burning stove installation site.

So let me go through some of the most frequently asked question I have been asked over the years:

1) Why do I need to have my chimney/flue swept – the sole purpose of a chimney is to allow the dangerous combustion gases leave your room. Whilst the gases pass up the chimney they leave behind a variety of deposits, creosote and soot being the two main offenders. The removal of these helps prevent chimney fires and well as maintaining the efficiency of your chimney, removing any birds nest or other blockages that my be causing an obstruction.

2) How often should I have my chimney swept? – This depends on two factors; what type of fuel you burn and how often you use your fire.

Coal – If the fire is used daily through the winter, have it swept before you start using it plus a mid winter sweep

Smokeless Fuel: Again, based on daily usage, at least once a year

Oil: For daily usage, once a year

Gas: For daily usage, once a year

(Yes, gas and oil flues should be swept, in some countries it is a legal requirement.)

3) How much mess does it make? It is not messy really, by using best practices, every care is taken to contain all the dust and soot to make sure as little as possible enters the room

4) Why does the Chimney sweep show me the brush sticking out of the top of the chimney? This is done simply to show you that your flue has been swept from bottom to top

5) I have just move house and would like to use fire – Should I have the chimney swept? Without a doubt, yes! As a new owner you have no idea if the chimney if fully functional, leaks or has a blockages.

6) I have been told I need to have my chimney swept if I am going to close it off, why? When a chimney is closed off, for whatever reason, even with ventilation because of the lack of hot air going up it, it can get a little damp. If there is a build up of soot etc this can turn into a black acidic slurry which not only begins to slowly run down the chimney, but can also soak into the walls. In severe cases this damp can penetrate into the room. There is also the unpleasant damp sooty smell that will pass into the room as air passes down the chimney and through ventilation portals, which much be installed if you close your chimney.

7) I get birds coming down my chimney, how do I stop this? You need to get a cowl fitted to your pot. Go to my other website to read more: http://woodburningstoveinstallation.info/chimney-cowls/

8) How much would it cost to have my chimney swept?  To be honest it depend on the installation for example you may live in a bungalow and someone else may live in a 4 storey town house. To give you a good guide please go to my price list page, click here Chimney Sweep Cost or the ‘chimney sweep cost’ tab at the top of this page

9) Which areas do you cover? Please click here, Areas Covered  or the ‘area covered’ tab at the top of this page

10)I have an old open fire and I would like a wood burner or multi-fuel stove installed, is that something that you do?  Yes absolutely please take a look at my stove installation site CLICK HERE just contact me and book an appointment.

11) I have an old gas/electric fireplace would it be possible to change it for a wood burner. 

I have an old gas/electric fireplace and would like to have it restored back to a period (Edwardian, Victorian etc) fireplace, is that something that you do?

The answer to both these is the same as the previous answer: Yes absolutely, take a look at my stove/fireplace installation site, click ->>

http://woodburningstoveinstallation.info. Give me a call and book an appointment to allow me at assess your particular situation.