Before your chimney sweep appointment
Please follow the steps below before the appointment:
- Do not use the fire for at least 24 hours. This allows the appliance, ash and any remaining embers to cool completely before work begins.
- Provide a clear route from the front door to the fireplace. Our equipment needs to be carried safely through the property.
- Clear an area approximately 1.5 metres in front of and across the fireplace. Please move furniture, ornaments, toys and other items away from the working area.
- Make sure we can reach a plug socket. Our industrial vacuum needs a power supply, so if the only available sockets are hidden behind furniture, please have an extension lead ready for us. Our hands and gloves tend to be covered in soot, so we’re not the ideal people to start rearranging your soft furnishings!
- Remove valuable or delicate belongings from around the fireplace. We work carefully, but clearing fragile items helps to prevent accidental damage.
- Keep pets away from the working area during the sweep. We are always happy to meet them when we arrive. However, the protective floor sheet may collect a small amount of soot during the work. Keeping pets away prevents them from walking across it and carrying soot through the house.
- Arrange a visitor parking permit if restrictions apply. As we are not residents of the street, we are normally unable to arrange a permit ourselves. Please have a valid permit or other parking option ready for the expected duration of the visit.
Parking is particularly important because chimney sweeping and inspection equipment can be heavy and awkward to carry. Where possible, we need to park reasonably close to the property.
Your arrival window and on-the-way notification
At the time of booking, you will receive an initial four-hour arrival window. A couple of days before the appointment, once the engineers’ routes have been finalised, this will be narrowed to a two-hour arrival window.
Planning appointments by area helps us create more efficient routes, reduce unnecessary travelling time and fuel consumption, and keep arrival estimates as reliable as possible.
When the engineer is on the way, you will receive a text message with an estimated time of arrival. This is an estimate rather than a fixed appointment time, as earlier jobs and traffic conditions can occasionally affect the route.
What happens during a chimney sweep?
On arrival, the chimney sweep will assess the fireplace or stove and prepare the working area. A protective sheet will be placed on the floor for the equipment, and the fireplace opening will be sealed to contain dust and soot.
We use a powerful industrial vacuum throughout the sweeping process. The vacuum creates controlled suction around the fireplace opening, helping to prevent soot and dust from escaping into the room.
The chimney is then swept from the bottom upwards using professional rods and brushes suited to the type of flue and appliance. The chimney is cleaned along its full accessible length, from the fireplace or stove connection towards the chimney terminal.
Once the chimney has been swept, we will:
- Remove the soot and debris collected during the sweep
- Carry out a smoke evacuation test on the flue
- Visually inspect the accessible parts of the fireplace or stove
- Check accessible seals and components for obvious defects
- Explain any concerns found during the appointment
Providing the chimney and appliance pass the relevant checks, a chimney sweeping certificate will be issued for your records and insurance purposes. If a problem is found, the engineer will explain the issue and advise whether further investigation or remedial work is recommended.
How long does a chimney sweep take?
A standard chimney sweep usually takes up to one hour, although the exact time depends on the appliance, the condition of the chimney and how much soot or debris needs to be removed.
Please ensure any parking arrangement covers the whole visit:
- Standard chimney sweep: allow up to one hour
- Chimney inspection: allow up to 90 minutes
- Stove installation or substantial repair work: parking may be required for the full day
What happens during a Level 1 chimney inspection?
A standard chimney sweep can only assess the parts of the fireplace, appliance and chimney that are visible. The sweeping brush does not allow the engineer to see the internal condition of the flue.
Where a Level 1 chimney inspection has been arranged, the chimney is swept first so that soot does not obscure the view. A specialist CCTV camera is then passed through the flue to inspect its internal condition.
The camera inspection can help identify issues such as:
- Damage or deterioration within the flue
- Obstructions or remaining debris
- Significant bends, changes in direction or restrictions
- Problems with an existing flue liner
- Combustible material passing through or close to the chimney
- Other defects that cannot be seen from the fireplace opening
The findings will be recorded in a chimney inspection report. This may confirm that no significant problems were identified or set out any recommended repairs or further investigation.
What happens during a Level 2 chimney inspection?
A Level 2 chimney inspection includes a more detailed integrity or leakage test. This requires access to the top of the chimney as well as the fireplace below.
Roof access may be possible using ladders where the engineer determines that it is safe and suitable. Some properties require scaffolding, a tower or another form of safe access. The access arrangements should normally be discussed and agreed before the appointment.
After the inspection and testing have been completed, a report will be issued explaining the results and any remedial work that may be required.
Preparing for fireplace repairs or a stove installation
Repairs and stove installations usually require more space than a standard chimney sweep. As much of the floor area in front of the fireplace as reasonably possible should be cleared for tools, materials and equipment. If a stove is being removed or installed, sufficient room will also be needed to move and temporarily position the appliance safely.
Please also:
- Keep the route between the van, front door and fireplace clear
- Move fragile or valuable items away from the working area
- Keep pets and children away from tools, materials and the fireplace
- Move vehicles if they would prevent safe ladder or roof access
- Reserve the closest available parking space where possible
- Arrange visitor parking for the full expected duration of the work
Stoves, flue liners and installation equipment are heavy and awkward to carry, and the engineers may need to make frequent journeys between the property and the van. Parking close to the entrance helps the work proceed safely and efficiently.
Access to the roof may also be required for flue lining, chimney repairs or certain inspections. Any specific requirements, such as moving a vehicle or providing scaffold access, will normally be discussed beforehand.
After the chimney has been swept
The engineer will remove the protective sheeting and equipment, leaving the fireplace area clean and tidy. You will receive either a chimney sweeping certificate or, where an inspection has been completed, a more detailed chimney report.
The engineer will also explain any important findings. If repairs, further testing or changes to the appliance are recommended, these will be discussed so that you understand the reason for the advice and the next steps available.
Professional chimney sweeping, inspections and stove work
Regular chimney sweeping helps remove soot and deposits, supports the safe operation of the appliance and provides an opportunity to identify visible problems before they worsen. A CCTV chimney inspection provides a more detailed assessment where the internal condition of the flue needs to be understood.
SweepSmart provides professional chimney sweeping, chimney inspections, fireplace repairs and stove installation services across London, Hertfordshire and Essex. If you are unsure which service is appropriate for your fireplace, chimney or stove, please contact us and we will be happy to advise.
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