chimney

We’re supporting this year’s national Chimney Fire Safety Week and want to remind everyone that it’s important to book a chimney sweep before lighting your stove for the first time this winter.

Regular chimney sweeping is essential for removing soot, bird nests, cobwebs, and other blockages. It also eliminates creosote build-up, a highly flammable substance that can lead to dangerous chimney fires.

Always consult a reputable chimney sweep for the best advice and service. The HETAS website has a handy search facility, where you can easily search by postcode to find registered chimney sweeps in your area: Find an approved sweep near you.

This is also a good time to check your stove is ready for use and perform any essential maintenance to ensure your stove is ready to go when you need it.

Some tips to make sure your home stays safe this winter inclu

The Ultraflex Screw Range is designed to make your stove installations quicker and easier than ever before!

Our screw type suspending cowls are so quick to install you can do it in under a minute, which means less tools, less time on the roof and a strong installation.

A chimney cowl is a device that is fitted to the top of a chimney stack, usually made of metal, plastic, terracotta, or mesh. It has several functions which range from safety to improving performance of the chimney and reducing maintenance.

The main reasons why you would want a chimney cowl fitted are:

1. Stop rain water and snow from getting in - Rain and snow can cause issues for your chimney flue. A little rain may not be a problem, but over time it can accumulate moisture (particularly in months where the fireplace is not in use) which will damage your chimney and be costly to repair. The same is true of snow, though if you are lighting the fire often during snowy seasons, this will help evaporate any moisture. A cowl is designed to prevent this from happening.

If you are installing a wood burning stove, you will need to have a plate above the stove to block off the bottom of your chimney.

This plate must be made of a solid, non-combustible material. These are often referred to as a closure or register plates, but there is a difference between the two.

What’s the difference between register and closure plates?

A register plate is used to seal the base of a chimney cavity when you do not have a chimney flue liner in your chimney. Whereas, a closure plate is used when you do have a chimney flue liner in your chimney.

What is a register plate?

At this time of year, there is usually an increase in reports of house and chimney fires. However, these fires can be easily prevented with responsible use and maintenance.

Smoky fuels release more creosote, a tarry substance that can stick to the inside of your chimney and ignite if allowed to build up. To prevent this, only use good quality dry firewood or even better, wood briquettes, which produce low amounts of smoke and therefore less creosote over time.

Regular maintenance, including annual chimney cleaning, is essential. It’s best to have your chimney cleaned by a professional who has all the right tools for the job. They can also inspect your chimney for any cracks, holes, birds nests or any other blockages, which could mean it's unsafe to light a fire.