Chimney sweep – what is one?
A chimney sweep is a tradesperson who specialises in the cleaning and maintenance of chimneys and flue systems. As well as the chimney structure, the chimney sweep will have a great knowledge of the appliance; Wood burning stoves; Gas fires; solid fuel and oil cookers; open fires.
Chimney sweeps are involved in all manner of chimney testing, ranging from chimney integrity tests, which are carried out to test the air tightness of the chimney to ensure carbon monoxide doesn’t leak anywhere it shouldn’t, to camera inspections using chimney cameras, to all manner of related chimney tests.
Chimney sweeps are also the best people to employ to service and maintain wood burning stoves. There is currently no competent person’s scheme for chimney sweeps, therefore for solid fuel and wood burning stove servicing you should ideally employ an NVQ qualified chimney sweep; the NVQ being the only true qualification in Chimney Sweeping.
Chimney sweeps – how are they trained?
Chimney sweeps traditionally were trained by another chimney sweep. In the victorian times this would be the Master Sweep; a sweep that would own or employ chimney sweeps and even chimney boys to sweep chimneys in exchange for a small wage, or sometimes simply food and keep.
In the 20th century, it became more common to simply be employed by a chimney sweep as a chimney sweeps mate and gradually learn the trade to a high standard, or be taken on as an apprentice, learning the trade gradually and again, to a high standard.
In the 21st century various chimney sweep associations saw a gap in the market; chimney sweep training. These courses involved cramming as much information and training in to 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. We very much believe this has reduced the general standards of sweeps, because previously, it would be very difficult to get into the industry without being employed in it already. This is why we always recommend choosing an NVQ qualified chimney sweep, or a HETAS approved chimney sweep. Though a HETAS approved chimney sweep may not be qualified, they would have had to undertake a course and exam on the Document J of the building regulations, which means they should have knowledge beyond that of the standard association trained sweep.
Chimney sweeps – why should I employ one?
You should have your chimney swept because if you don’t, you massively increase the risk of: Chimney Fires, Carbon monoxide poisoning, chimney failure, appliance failure and as well as that, your insurance company will not insure you if you have a fireplace or chimney related issue without proof of maintenance. That proof is a certificate of chimney sweeping.
