Chimney sweeping in Dublin

Soot and tar build up inside a chimney every time a fire is lit. A thick layer narrows the flue so smoke drifts back into the room, and the deposits themselves can catch fire. Regular sweeping is the simplest way to prevent a chimney fire.

Most chimneys in regular use should be swept at least once a year, ideally before the heating season starts. Chimneys burning wood or bituminous coal, or used every day through the winter, usually need sweeping more often. Ask the sweep what suits your fuel and how much you use the fire.

A careful sweep sheets off the fireplace and floor, uses a vacuum to keep dust down, and checks at the end that the brush has come out of the pot, which shows the flue is clear all the way.

When you get in touch, say whether it's an open fire or a stove, roughly when it was last swept, what you burn, and whether you've noticed smoke in the room or a smell of soot.