Think about having your chimney /flue cleaned.

Has your chimney been swept recently? Does your wood burner burn as well as it should?

I just spent a couple of hours helping someone sweep their chimney because their ramoneur was un contactable and I was glad I did because I really saw why chimneys need sweeping. The chimney had become so restricted that it was not possible to light the wood burner properly. It was full of lumps of tar all they way up - an ideal medium for a chimney fire. I broke most of the plastic bristles off two chimney brushes cleaning most of the tar out. My hand would just fit into the top of the flue evn though the tube was 150mm 

I am glad to say that we do not have that problem at home as most of the residue coats the chimney flue and then falls off into the T peice at the bottom as dry 'leaves'. I think the reason it does that is that I try to burn the wood hot and then let it die down, I believe the wood burner works most efficiently when it has an air flow, sadly ours are too powerful for the rooms so it is tempting to have them ticking over at full restriction. If the glass is getting coated then the chimney is probably the same.

Something for everyone to think about whilst they are keeping warm

Sent by James Sweeting

Val says   We had the same problem a few years ago with a wood burning stove and were told by the ramoneur  that it was caused by burning wood that was not properly dry and aged. Wood  needs to be 3 years old before burning. Another point is your insurance will only pay out if you have a fire, if you have a current certificate saying you have had your chimney cleaned.
James Says   The wood burned by the previously mentioned wood burner was definitely dry - well stored and over three years old so that wasn't the cause of the problem.

If you know your chimney is in a good state you don't need a certificate from a ramoneur because it won't catch fire.

Neville says    Neville agreed that wood should be dry before burning to avoid a build of tar in the chimney,however what happens with your insurance company if you have swept the chimney yourself and do not have a certificate to prove it?

Comments to      taglines82@gmail.com