Clean your chimney regularly!

 

The latest statistics show that there are approximately 7,000 chimney fires a year in England, but most of these are preventable.

 

To keep yourself and your family safe from fire you should take care to have your chimney swept regularly, depending upon what fuel you burn, before the colder winter months set in and you begin to use your fire and chimneys again.

 

If the worst should happen, a smoke alarm can give you the extra time you need to escape in a house fire - make sure you test yours regularly.

 

How often should you clean your chimney?

 

• Oil - Once a year

• Gas - Once a year

• Bituminous - coal Twice a year

• Wood - Up to four times a year

• Smokeless coals - At least once a year

 

Most common causes of chimney fires:

 

• Improper appliance sizing

• Burning unseasoned wet wood

• Infrequent sweeping and cleaning

• Overnight burning or smouldering wood for long periods in wood stoves

 

Tips to reduce the risk of chimney fire:

 

• Chimneys must be swept on a regular basis this can be as much as three times in the burning season (winter) but at least once per season regardless of fuel type.

• All wood burned must have a moisture content of no more than 17 percent.

• It is important to purchase the correct size appliance for your room, an appliance which is too large will never be used hot enough to volatize all of the fuel within the wood and unburned fuel will pass up the chimney as smoke and condense within the flue as extremely flammable creosote.

 

Northwest Chimney Services offers a professional chimney sweeping service at a competitive price. Our employees are trained and experienced in this field along with maintenance and safety inspections. Please call/email/message for a quote or further information.