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Original poster

Chimney sweep is this usual?

42 replies

Coffeesnob11 · 27/03/2023 20:33

I am currently renting the house I am buying. The owner agreed to get the chimney swept (used to be oil boiler, changed to gas last year but soot coming through vent today. Ll arranged a chimney sweep who cane today. I was not prepared for the left over mess. The flu is in the kitchen diner but I thought he would clean up but I have washed the floors 3 times, its all Iver the doors, downstairs toilet, hallways etc where he has walked through and touched things. It's impossible to clean no matter how many times I do it. Is this normal? Are they meant to clean the area after so it looks relatively the same? Should it be all over the house like this? Any tips for getting it clean. I have hoovered, mopped twice and scrubbed on my hands and knees and it still isn't completly clean.

OP posts:
Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 27/03/2023 20:36

I'm shocked! This is not normal. My sweep leaves it in a better state than it started. It's a totally clean process.
I would definitely complain.

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 20:39

call him back to clean up

TomeTome · 27/03/2023 20:40

No usually they leave it pristine with the slightest whiff of soot all that remains. Take photos and complain. Off hard floors washing up liquid, off carpet you will struggle but try cornflour/talc a stiff brush then hoover. What a pain.

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Original poster
Coffeesnob11 · 27/03/2023 20:40

He said that's not part of the service. This is a

Chimney sweep is this usual?
OP posts:
MintJulia · 27/03/2023 20:41

Definitely not. Usually they hoover as they go. No residual soot at all.

TomeTome · 27/03/2023 20:41

The fucker😮

CalistoNoSolo · 27/03/2023 20:42

Not at all usual, I've used several sweeps over the years for various woodburner, aga and open fire flues, and all have left things pristine. Take photos if not too late, and contact your landlord ASAP.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/03/2023 20:43

Not normal at all. I suspect your landlord has been had and this is not a proper sweep. In which case you can’t even be certain he has done a good job.

CalistoNoSolo · 27/03/2023 20:43

Just seen your pic - that's appalling :(

Gizlotsmum · 27/03/2023 20:43

Not usual. Our sweep covers everything including a way in and out

WaitingForSunnyDays · 27/03/2023 20:44

Our chimney sweep has never left any mess at all. He sounds like a complete cowboy.

FrenchTrellis · 27/03/2023 20:44

That's awful! The one I use tapes a dust sheet over the fireplace so it was all contained. I'd complain!!

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 20:44

Thats disgusting

Of course cleaning up after is part of the service.

You cant even tell the sweep has been normally.

Id put these pictures up on trust pilot

Tell him if you have to get a professional cleaning service in then he will be getting the bill

BertaHoon · 27/03/2023 20:45

Not normal!

Our lovely old sweep brought his industrial vacuum with him and even disposed of the pigeon corpses.

That's awful!

Original poster
Coffeesnob11 · 27/03/2023 20:46

He said it was the worst one he had ever swept. He did hoover and suggested I mop it which I tried. I have trued floor cleaner, washing up liquid etc. I have to really scrub and it still seems to leave a grey residue. I have sent the pics to my ll as they are paying.

OP posts:
Pocketfullofdogtreats · 27/03/2023 20:46

That's shocking. Ours puts dust sheets down and you'd never know he'd been there. He brings his own hoover and cleans up afterwards.

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 20:47

I hope your landlord hasnt paid yet

Original poster
Coffeesnob11 · 27/03/2023 20:49

This was the before and after pic of the flu.

Chimney sweep is this usual?
Chimney sweep is this usual?
OP posts:
TheFlis12345 · 27/03/2023 20:50

That’s appalling! Our sweep is a total perfectionist and leaves the sitting room cleaner than when he arrives!

Justcallmebebes · 27/03/2023 20:52

Mine has never left any mess whatsoever. I have an open fire in my front room and he covers everything and puts a big sack thing in front of the fire place to catch any soot.

Certainly never seen anything like the mess you've been left with

BertaHoon · 27/03/2023 20:52

Coffeesnob11 · 27/03/2023 20:46

He said it was the worst one he had ever swept. He did hoover and suggested I mop it which I tried. I have trued floor cleaner, washing up liquid etc. I have to really scrub and it still seems to leave a grey residue. I have sent the pics to my ll as they are paying.

Mine said that too.

He was in his 70s, the only one in town. Very much in demand.

He told me to go out front with little one to see the brush pop out of the chimney to bring luck!

Didn't leave a speck of muck behind.

Get your landlord on it. That's disgusting.

BluetheBear · 27/03/2023 21:01

Ours haven't left a mess

i think they put a sheet down and brought a hoover

zaffa · 27/03/2023 21:04

That's appalling and not at all normal! Ours has always put down coverings and left everything lovey and clean

WimbourneWasps · 27/03/2023 21:07

That is appalling. Not normal at all.

Yea it's a very bad flu but I feel like he's heard landlord and gone Ooh I don't have to clean

Drifta · 27/03/2023 21:13

That's awful. Ours is fastidious with his black sheets.

Was it definitely an actual sweep rather than the landlord's mate with some brushes? Did he leave you the certificate afterwards?