Hello Spring – It’s Time to Get Your Chimney Swept

Let’s face it, getting your chimney swept at the height of Spring isn’t one of the first things on many people’s minds. The weather is improving, the nights are getting longer, and the sun is beginning to make an appearance. It’s very likely that you’ve put the fireplace and all winter-related activities to the back of your mind, and are busy planning trips, picnics, and holidays. However, you might find yourself coming home on those chillier evenings regretting not booking a chimney sweep appointment in advance.

Why Spring?

In the UK, the temperature in the evenings can still drastically drop, leaving us reaching for extra layers. It’s likely the windows have been open all day and you might feel like putting the fire on for a short period of time to take the chill out of the air. Often, the warm weather can disappear as quickly as it appears too, which could leave you with next to no heating with Autumn just around the corner. Not an ideal situation.

The Spring and Summer months are classed as ‘off-peak’, which means there are far more appointments available and plenty more time to rectify any issues before the cold weather bites.

You might need more than a sweep

As professional chimney sweeps, we do a lot more than sweeping and tidying. We’ll look for problems in and around the chimney too, whether that be cracks, blockages, any issues with the flue, or parts that need replacing. If repair work is needed, we may have to order in a replacement part, which could take several days to arrive, before we come back to refit it. If you’ve waited until the warm weather is over, you may have to go days or even a week without the fireplace.

Good weather makes for an easier job

Sweeping chimneys is much easier, and more pleasant, in the warmer, drier months. It’s often dry and sunny outside, which are great conditions for climbing on your roof and getting a good look at the chimney.

Ice, snow, and rain can result in slippery or even dangerous conditions, which could lead to your appointment taking much longer, or being delayed until the weather improves.

Why shouldn’t I wait?

Waiting until the Autumn to get your chimney swept may mean you have to make do with a less experienced chimney sweep and a less than stellar job.

The best chimney sweeps are often the most booked up, so you must get in there early if you want somebody reputable and thorough to carry out the work. A last-minute booking will more than likely leave you with a less experienced sweeps, which could in turn result in a lower standard of work.

Trust is vital when it comes to your chimney, and there’s no easy way of being able to check what the sweep has done once they’ve left. An insufficient job could lead to dangerous and detrimental results. By booking in early, you’re more likely to be able to book with a trusted sweep and rest safe in the knowledge that a professional has done a proper job for you.

Be aware of insurance

Insurance is an easy one to overlook but being without it can be risky business.

Once a chimney has been swept, you’ll receive an insurance certificate valid for 12 months.

Waiting until the certificate is near expiry or past the expiration date could leave you without valid insurance if something was to go wrong.

The longer you put it off the bigger problem it becomes

Anybody with a chimney knows that they can be incredibly messy if not kept on top of.

The longer that you leave soot, the bigger problem it becomes. Soot is very corrosive and if left for too long, can begin to eat into the brickwork and even corrode the steel liner in the chimney. These are costly and unnecessary issues that are easily avoidable with regular cleaning. It’s also important to note that soot can begin to smell over the summer months and is almost impossible to mask.

Ready to book?

If you’re ready to book your chimney sweep appointment or are looking to get ahead of the rush, get in touch with a member of the team at SweepSmart today.