Chimney and Flue Survey 3 point Safety Package
Enjoy your fireplace. Responsibly.
1) Chimney Sweeping
Sweeping chimneys is now a quick, clean and modern process with very little disruption to you and your home.
Why is it important?
Sweeping your chimney regularly will help to prevent blockages to build up which can reduce appliance efficiency and in some cases lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Allowing deposits of soot and tar to build up increases the risk of chimney fires, and makes it more difficult for the sweep to leave the chimney clean and safe after sweeping it.
Remember, a clean chimney is a safe chimney
Our master chimney sweeps/ engineers are members of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps and are HETAS registered. This means they are in the position to provide you with a full advisory service and can identify issues and solutions. We also issue a insurance approved certificate after every sweep as a matter of routine.
How often should a Chimney/Flue be swept?
The following Frequencies are only a guide and are the minimum recommended. We may advice more regularly cleaning depending on your particular situation. Ask your sweep at your appointment for your tailored recommendation.
- Fuel Type Sweeping frequency
- Smokeless coals at least once per year
- Wood up to 4 times a year
- Bituminous coal twice a year
- Oil once a year
- Gas once a year
2) Chimney/Flue Integrity Testing
What is it?
Using specialist equipment, we are able to obtain accurate readings and evidence as to the soundness of your flue.
Why would I need one?
The most common reasons for having a chimney/ flue integrity test are:
- If you are having a new fireplace or stove installed to your existing chimney and need to establish the integrity of the flue. (Building regulations. Doc. J)
- If you have problems with your flue.
- If you have moved to a new property and do not know the history of your flue.
- If you have not used the chimney in over 5 years.
- If you are reinstating a flue that has not been in use.
What does it entail?
The top of the flue is temporarily blocked and the analyser inserted into the flue from the bottom. With the analyser in place the opening is fully sealed and the test is ready to begin.
As air is pumped into the chimney / flue the analyser measures how much air, if any, is leaking out. The machine then produces a reading of the allowable leakage rate and actual leakage rate. This provides the information needed to establish a pass or fail.
What do the results mean?
A pass reading means that your flue is deemed to be operating within safe parameters. This tells us that your flue appears sound and is fit to use.
A fail reading means that your flue is leaking more than the allowable rate and that a dangerous level of fumes may be leaking into your home. In these cases we would advise you not to use your chimney until further diagnostic testing is carried out.
3) CCTV Survey
What is it?
By using the most advanced equipment in the industry we give you high quality footage of your chimney, diagnoses of problem areas, and detailed advice on the options available to you. Carrying out a CCTV Survey is the cleanest, quickest and most efficient way to ascertain exactly what’s going on in your flue.
Why would I need it done?
The most common reasons for having a CCTV Survey carried out:
- Your flue has failed an integrity test.
- You have had a chimney fire and want to inspect for damage.
- You have had a liner installed and want to be sure it has been installed correctly
- There is a blockage in the flue that you want to identify.
What does it entail?
Our equipment contains colour screen that enables the engineer to see where the camera is and what its showing. Our engineer will slowly bring the camera up or down the flue, stopping at regular intervals to record various sections.
This process will take as long as necessary for the engineer to be sure that he’s inspected the flue in its entirety and that sufficient images have been collected of all faults found.
Once the survey is completed the engineer will take the recordings back to our office where he can have another close look at your flue on a full size monitor. He will then write a report of all findings and advice and make a copy of the footage on DVD that we will pass on to you.
Benefits
- You are able to obtain accurate data as to the condition of your flue and base restoration/ development decisions on evidence rather than speculation.
- We can ascertain whether or not your fireplace/ appliance is safe to use.
- We can identify what the problems are and how best to resolve them.
- We can identify what the problems are and how best to resolve them.
- We can identify whether or not lining your chimney is necessary.
- You’re provided with CCTV footage on a DVD if you wish, along with a detailed report of the diagnosis and advice. This means if you need to explain the issues to another party such as a contractor you have it at your fingertips
What Preparation is required before we arrive?
Prior to our visit you need to ensure that:
- The flue we are working on has not been lit at least 24 hours
- Sufficient parking is available for our vans to be able to park legally within approx 25 meters of your property
- The path from the entrance to the fireplace and access points are clear
- There is enough space in front of the fireplace and any access points for the engineer to work in (approx 5m2)
- Any items that are stored within the opening such as log baskets, coal buckets and fireside accessories are removed
- The engineer has adequate access to the flue from the opening/ appliance
- Any decorative pieces around the fireplace are removed
- A power socket is free and easily accessible for the engineer to use
