1. Maintaining your Chimney
Just like anything else in your home that is subject to wear and tear from being used, your chimney needs regular attention otherwise it may become inefficient or damaged.All types of fuel create a by-product and depending on which fuel you most regularly use determines the impact on your chimney.
A. Smokeless fuel
This fuel creates a very acrid, acidic soot which if not cleaned out of your chimney at frequent intervals forms a hard crust which can permanently restrict your flue. It also combines with oxygen and water vapour to make sulphuric acid. This acid damages your chimney lining and ultimately the bricks and mortar.
Prevention is better than cure Have your chimney swept every 12 months
B. Non-Smokeless coal
This fuel creates a 'fluffy' soot of quite a high volume which layers itself on to your chimney lining. The particular problem with this soot is that because there tends to be a lot of it, it can very quickly block or restrict your chimney. For many people if their chimney 'draws' well enough they consider that it doesn't need sweeping and only react w hen a problem arises.
Every year that your chimney is left un-swept another layer of soot is formed to restrict the flue. If your chimney is sufficiently restricted by encrusted soot it may be very difficult or impossible to clear and it will have a tendency to block up very frequently.
Don't restrict your Chimney ! Have your chimney swept every 9 - 12 months
C. Wood (and soft coal)
This fuel again creates a high volume of soot which is also quite combustible. Paragraph B. applies to this soot and in addition you want to prevent a chimney fire at all costs. Every year people have to call the fire brigade to extinguish a chimney fire.
Prevent Chimney Fires ! Have your chimney swept every 6 - 12 months
Your chimney needs to be checked periodically as with the passage of time the chimney lining will gradually crumble. You need to ensure that your chimney is sound so that you know you will be safe.