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It depends on what you burn and how often you use your fire. As a general guide: most domestic fires need sweeping on an annual basis, 90% of our customers get their chimney swept once a year, we make your next booking once we have finished and send you a reminder a few days before hand. If your a heavy user and burn lost of wood it may need sweeping more often, but we will advise you when your next sweep is due when we fill out your sweeping certificate. Open fires burning coal or smokeless fuel at least once a year; wood-burning or multi-fuel stoves at least once a year; gas fires every two years (or as recommended by your gas engineer). We recommend sweeping at the end of each burning season — spring is ideal.
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Not when done properly. We use professional dust sheets and heavy-duty vacuum equipment to contain all soot and debris. We take care to protect your fireplace and surrounding area and leave your home as clean as we found it.
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Many home insurance policies require regular chimney sweeping and will ask for proof in the event of a chimney fire. We always issue a certificate of sweeping after each visit, which you should keep safe for your records.
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Signs to look out for include: damp patches on walls near the chimney, white staining (efflorescence) on brickwork, cracked or missing mortar, loose or damaged chimney pots, and smoke entering the room when the fire is lit. If you notice any of these, call us for an inspection.
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We are based in Weymouth and cover a wide area across South Dorset. Click on the area covered tab at the top of the page to see a map of the area we cover. If you're unsure, give us a call.
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A CCTV survey uses a small camera to inspect the inside of your flue from top to bottom, identifying cracks, blockages, damaged liners, and other problems that cannot be seen from outside. It's particularly useful when buying a property, after a chimney fire, or when investigating persistent smoking or odour problems. You receive a written report with images.
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Yes. Wessex Chimneys is fully insured with public liability insurance, so you can have complete peace of mind whenever we work on your property.
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Yes — jackdaws, starlings, and other birds often nest in unused chimneys. A blocked flue can be extremely dangerous if the fire is lit. We can remove debris and fit bird guards or cages to prevent future nesting.