Preparing for your sweep

Thanks for booking Dr Sweep to look after your chimney. Work will be undertaken to standards of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps and HETAS. Once payment has been received (cash or BACS accepted) an insurance industry-recognised Certificate of Sweeping from The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps will be issued. Ahead of your appointment please feel free to message 07834 854351 or email docsweep@gmail.com with details of anything you've noticed that you want to discuss, and/or with a photo of your stove/fire if relevant.

What happens? I put down floor sheets around your fire or stove and then bring in my kit - a vacuum, toolbags, rods and brushes. I will do a safety and condition check of the appliance and surrounds using torch and mirror  and discuss any issues. I'll check the Carbon Monoxide alarm. I'll then sheet up the appliance to close in any soot (or sometimes use foam blocks) then put in the appropriate brushes and rods. I'll manually sweep or power sweep using a drill depending on what's most appropriate, then do a smoke test. After advising you of any issues I issue a Guild of Master Sweeps certificate and book you in for next year if you want. For a first visit I normally allow up to 90' to cater for any surprises. Otherwise a typical sweep visit takes 40-60' depending on the appliance and access. 

There are a couple of key things to remember before your sweep which form part of our Terms & Conditions 

Access: Please make sure that there's clear access to the appliance to be swept so that I can get tools in and out cleanly and easily.  I'll need a safe (and legal) place to park a small van, a free area of about 2 meters at the front of the appliance/fire and there should be nothing on top or to the sides of work area. I will require access to a power plug. Because I may need to make multiple trips to the van, leaving access doors open, please ensure all valuables are secure and away from the work route/area. For their (and the job's) safety, please also keep pets and children out of the way while the sweep is in progress. 

Appliance prep: Fires, wood burners and appliances to be swept must not be used within the 24 hours leading up to an appointment - the appliance or fire needs to be fully cold for me to sweep it. It should be free from ash, fuel, combustibles and in a reasonably clean condition. To comply with waste disposal regulations I will leave any sooty waste with you, bagged up, to be disposed of (or put on the garden in the case of wood soot)

Limitations: During the visit I'll inspect your appliance and advise of any issues or observations in respect of your stove/appliance or opening that need remedial action. One of the main advantages of regular sweeping (other than clearing out that nasty soot and creosote) is making sure everything is safe and working efficiently. I'm happy to answer any questions about the appliance or how to use it. All services are carried out in good faith: due to the concealed nature of chimneys and associated appliances, information from a visual inspection should not be relied upon as a guarantee that the appliance and/or chimney are safe and/or free of faults or issues related to age, misuse, or poor installation. For a chimney and items connected to the installation to be considered fit for use, it must be in such condition that it can be safely cleaned and tested - this includes the correct cowl being securely installed on any flue being swept. Therefore unless otherwise told we'll assume that the appliance is correctly and safely installed and is in a fit state to be swept. 

Timing: Please allow about 45' either side of your appointment time to account for traffic and any surprises in earlier chimneys of the day - I know what it's like waiting in for someone so will be sure to call you if anything changes. 

Cancellation: If you do need to cancel or rearrange please give at least 48 hours notice so someone else can have your slot. If I'm unable to gain access to the property on the day/time of the appointment, if the condition of the fire/appliance means I'm unable to sweep it at the booked appointment, or for any appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, I reserve the right to charge the full sweeping fee.