If you are the lucky owner of a wood burning stove or multi-fuel stove and you use it regularly during the colder months of the year then it is advisable to have your chimney swept at least once a year. The ideal time to do this, of course, is during the Spring or Summer months when you are no longer using the stove.

If you possess a set of rods and brushes, then you could try this yourself but most people would call on the services of a local chimney sweep. It sounds like a very messy business but the chimney sweep will come with sheets and tarpaulins to protect your carpets and furniture. The whole setting up and sweeping process takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

If you do not have your chimney swept regularly, you may find that your stove works less efficiently. Tar, soot and other deposits can build up around the walls of your chimney which restricts the area, thus reducing draw and this may cause your stove to smoke. A fall of soot in the chimney may partially block the flue and the build up of deposits over time may cause a chimney fire.