Reminder if you have an chimney and are planning on using it

[Sowingbees]

I know it is an extra cost but please get it swept and a certificate issued.
Not only will this lessen the chance of a fire but your house insurance is usually invalid without the certificate of sweeping.

Absolutely agreed. This is a serious safety issue that can't be overlooked.

We had exactly this conversation today and have booked our sweep for the weekend after next

We've booked it early this year, our sweep says he is already busy mainly with new customers that are planning on using chimney for the first time.

Also make sure that you have a carbon monoxide detector, have tested your smoke alarms and changed the batteries if they are not mains powered.

Also consider getting a ‘chimney sheep’ -or appropriate sized piece of cardboard to block up the chimney when not in use.
Do, however, remove it before lighting the fire <bitter voice of experience>

Oh no MrsWooster, that sounds awful.

It was not our first hour! Burning sheeps wool does linger…

Finest hour*

Stupid question but I didn't use it last year (young DC), but did the year before and got it swept last summer... Do I need it swept this year?

I think the certificate lasts for 12 months but I'm happy to be corrected if that's wrong.

If no one else knows for sure I will ask the sweep next week, we do it yearly but then it is our main source of heat (no gas)

MrsWooster oops, I can imagine it stank

Oh god the oils in it 😖 I imagine it's worse than human hair and that's bad enough!

OMG, so glad you reminded me. I got it done late last year and it felt like not very long ago!
Unfortunately I need to find a new sweep again this year. Our lovely one retired in 2020 and I didn't like the guy who did it last year. I have another recommendation so I've dashed off an email and fingers crossed I get a reply on Tuesday!

Yes because animals put crap in it. Mine has pigeons throwing stuff down all the time and one time even a wasps nest