Clearing a blocked chimney is not a DIY project. It requires a trained and certified professional with the tools, supplies, and expertise to remove flue obstructions without damaging the structure or your home.
Empty the debris out of your stove or fireplace. Light a fast, hot fire. Lots of kindling and paper to get hot fast. Cardboard helps, as does well dried, light wood. Let it burn for about half an hour. Look up at the smoke coming out of your chimney, it should now be white.
The cost of chimney sweeping varies based on the specific type of fireplace or stove. Gas fireplaces, which generally accumulate less residue than wood-burning variants, cost on average between £60 to £90 for a sweep. Wood-burning fireplaces, with their traditional design, usually range between £80 to £100.
If the chimney has been capped or blocked off, this will also need opening up before you can use it again. The chimney will need to be swept, too, as there could be some debris up there. A professional chimney sweep should also be able to let you know what state the flue is in, and if any repairs need to be done.
Cleaning of the chimney's flue can be done from the roof or through the fireplace. You'll need a wire brush with an attached extension for this task. After removing the rain cap or animal guard, reach into the chimney with the wire brush and scrub the inner walls of the flue with an up-and-down motion.
Warning Signs Your Chimney May Be Blocked
The fireplace fills with smoke. Difficulty lighting a fire. Fire burns out quickly. Black, tarry flakes inside the flue.
For a budget chimney sweep on an open fire, you can usually expect to pay around £60-£70. This should only take around an hour to complete. If you need are looking for a chimney sweep on an unlined chimney, this will usually cost around £90-£150. This type of chimney sweep will usually take around 1-2 hours.
Fireplace Opening Up Charges: The cost for opening up a fireplace typically ranges from £200 to £600, depending on the complexity of the project. More intricate designs or structural adjustments may increase the overall price.
Soot often builds up and clogs the chimney, causing the smoke to seep back down into your home, rather than escaping through the chimney. Chunks of debris like slate, bricks or bits of bird's nest also make their way into chimneys that aren't cleaned regularly causing blockage chimney issues.
If bricks were used you will need to carefully remove these with a hammer and chisel, without damaging the surroundings. Remember to use lime mortar to make good any old joints in the chimney's bricks as you go.
As one of the biggest causes of a draughty home, it can make sense to block a chimney opening, especially for larger unused fireplaces. Fixing a draughty chimney not only makes your home more comfortable, it helps to lower energy costs too.
The clogging culprits are most often an animal attempting to nest inside, tree debris such as leaves or seeds, or creosote, which naturally builds up each time you have a fire.
Roofing contractors specialize in various aspects of roofing and exterior home improvements. When it comes to chimney repairs, roofing contractors are adept at addressing issues related to flashing, roof penetrations, and the chimney's integration with the roofing system.
Always, always, always unblock from the bottom. Never unblock a chimney from the top. In cases of nesting material there are corkscrew attachments that can be put onto cleaning rods. They actually hook into the nesting material and lift it out.
Negative pressure can occur when there is a flue obstruction or insufficient air is being drawn into the fireplace. It is common in energy-efficient homes with airtight home envelopes. Opening a window or installing an external intake vent can help relieve the negative air pressure.
Blockages in chimneys most commonly result from either an excessive buildup of creosote and soot or various debris such as leaves, twigs and small animal nests.
Professional chimney companies use tools specifically designed to unblock chimneys and flue liners, so if your wire brush did not adequately unblock the chimney, chances are the professionals will have a more effective tool.
These flakes are more difficult to remove than soot and will require more complicated equipment to take care of. Third degree creosote buildup in a chimney. Hot fires kill creosote.
In the short term, repairing a chimney is typically cheaper than removing it. However, for unused or severely damaged chimneys, removal might be more cost-effective in the long run, eliminating future expenses.
Most policies will require a professional chimney sweeping once a year. If you ever need to make a claim, having an in-date chimney sweeping certificate shows that you actively maintain your home.
Some people choose to take their chimney stack down, simplifying their roofline and making maintenance easier. However, removing your stack, the bit of your chimney visible above the roof level can be a big and expensive job.
The short answer to this question is usually no. Homeowners insurance companies see it as an individuals responsibility to keep up with annual chimney inspections and needed cleanings and repairs. This means that you will likely be responsible for the full amount of any chimney work that is needed.
Chimney cleaning can be a DIY project depending on: Level of Buildup and Creosote: If you find 1/8 inch of buildup or more, or if you see indications of a serious accumulation of creosote, the chimney cleaning is a job for a professional.
Size of the chimney: The larger the chimney, the more time and effort it takes to clean, which can increase the cost. Type of fuel used: The type of fuel used in your fireplace (such as wood, gas, or oil) can affect the amount of creosote and other buildup in your chimney, which can affect the cost of cleaning.