Frequently Asked Questions

The recommended frequency depends on your fuel and appliance type. Open fires burning wood should be swept at least twice a year; those burning coal or smokeless fuel at least once. Wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves should be swept once a year as a minimum, or more frequently if used as a primary heat source through the winter. Solid-fuel range cookers such as Agas and Rayburns also benefit from an annual flue clean as part of their service. If you are not sure what applies to your setup, give us a call and we will advise.

Yes. After every sweep we issue a chimney sweep's record confirming the date of the visit, the address, the appliance type, and the condition of the flue. This document is useful as evidence for your home insurance — many insurers require proof of regular sweeping for solid-fuel appliances — and is a helpful record if you sell the property.

We cover 50 locations across Cumbria, the Scottish Borders, and Northumberland — from Carlisle city and the Solway Coast to Keswick, the Eden Valley, and across the border into Dumfriesshire. Check the areas page for the full list. If your village is not listed or you are unsure, call us on 07738 464850 or send a WhatsApp message and we will confirm whether we can reach you.

Yes — our coverage extends into Dumfries and Galloway, including Gretna, Annan, Lockerbie, Canonbie, Dornock, Ecclefechan, and Kirkpatrick-Fleming, as well as the surrounding rural properties. We also cover the Northumberland fringe including Haltwhistle, Hexham, Gilsland, Allendale Town, Corbridge, and Haydon Bridge. Cross-border and cross-county coverage is a normal part of how we work.

Yes — we service solid-fuel Aga, Rayburn, and equivalent range cookers. These appliances are the primary heat and cooking source in many Cumbrian farmhouses, particularly across the Eden Valley and the North Pennine fringe. Servicing covers the flue and flue-way, combustion chamber, heat exchanger, and door seals. Annual servicing is recommended to keep the appliance operating safely and efficiently.

Yes. We remove bird nests — most commonly jackdaw nests — from chimneys and flues. If birds are currently nesting with eggs or chicks present, we advise on timing to comply with UK wildlife protection legislation, which prohibits disturbing active nests. Once the nest is vacated, we remove it fully and check the flue is clear. We also advise on fitting a bird guard to prevent re-nesting the following season.

No — it is not safe to use a fire or stove if the flue is blocked by a nest. A blocked flue prevents combustion gases from escaping and creates a risk of carbon monoxide entering the property. The nest material can also catch fire. If you suspect a nest is blocking your chimney, contact us before lighting the fire.

A CCTV inspection passes a small high-resolution camera the full length of the flue, recording the condition of the liner, mortar joints, and flue-way. It is the only way to reliably detect cracks, collapsed sections, or deteriorated joints that brushes cannot assess. We recommend it when buying an older property, when a flue has an unknown history, when a sweep reveals possible liner damage, or before installing a new stove or liner. We provide a written report and footage after the inspection.

Yes. Gas flue inspections are carried out in conjunction with Gas Safe registered engineers, as work associated with gas appliances must involve appropriately qualified individuals. We inspect the flue liner for blockages, debris, and structural damage, and can arrange CCTV inspection of gas flues where camera access is needed. A written report is provided. This is a separate service from our standard chimney sweeping.

Yes — many of our customers are in rural or isolated locations across Cumbria, from Alston and Shap on the high fells to fell-side farmsteads on the Solway Plain and the Eden Valley. If your property is in a remote location, call or WhatsApp us on 07738 464850 to confirm coverage. We serve many isolated farmhouses and countryside properties as a routine part of our schedule.