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After months of warmer weather, the first cool evenings of late summer and early autumn often bring the same thought: it might be time to light the stove again.
Before doing that, it is worth checking that the chimney, flue and appliance are ready for another season.
For many households across the Fylde Coast, a stove or open fire may have been used very little since spring. During that time, soot can remain in the flue, birds may have nested, debris can fall into the chimney and parts of the appliance can deteriorate without being obvious from the outside.
A little preparation now can help avoid problems when the heating season properly begins.
Start With the Chimney
A chimney can look perfectly fine from inside the room while still having a build-up of soot or debris further up the flue.
Regular chimney sweeping helps remove this material and gives the sweep an opportunity to identify anything unusual before the appliance is brought back into regular use.
Harpers Chimney Sweeps in Fylde uses powered rotary sweeping equipment and provides a visual safety check as part of the service, with a HETAS certificate issued on completion.
For homeowners who cannot remember when the chimney was last swept, arranging a professional check before autumn is often the sensible place to start.
Watch for Signs of a Blockage
Bird activity is one of the problems that can develop while a chimney is not being used regularly.
Nesting material, twigs and other debris can restrict the flue and affect how safely smoke and combustion gases escape.
Warning signs can include smoke entering the room, unusual smells, poor draw or the fire being harder to establish than normal.
If a blockage is suspected, it should be properly investigated rather than simply trying to burn through it.
Harpers Chimney Sweeps offers bird nest removal followed by a CCTV flue inspection, allowing the chimney to be checked once the obstruction has been removed.
Give the Stove More Than a Quick Dust
The chimney is only one part of the system.
Door rope seals, fire bricks, glass, baffles and other internal components all play a part in how a stove operates.
A rope seal that no longer closes properly can affect control of the fire. Damaged fire bricks may also need attention, while soot and deposits inside the appliance can reduce performance.
This is why combining a chimney sweep with a stove service can be useful before the colder months begin.
A proper service should go beyond simply cleaning the outside. Harpers’ sweep and service includes dismantling and cleaning the appliance, checking its internal components and inspecting fire bricks and rope seals.
Do Not Forget the Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, so a working alarm remains an important part of any home using a solid-fuel appliance.
Before the first fire of the season, test the alarm and check its expiry or replacement date.
If anything appears wrong with the stove or chimney, avoid using the appliance until it has been checked.
Booking Early Can Make Life Easier
Once temperatures begin to fall, chimney sweeps naturally become busier.
Booking before the first prolonged cold spell means there is less chance of discovering a problem on the evening you actually want to use the fire.
It also provides time to deal with any maintenance that may be required.
Harpers Chimney Sweeps serves customers across the Fylde Coast, including Fleetwood, Blackpool, St Annes, Lytham and surrounding areas, alongside franchise locations in Preston, Plymouth, Portsmouth and West Norfolk. Across the Harpers network, services focus on professional chimney sweeping, log burner servicing and wood burner servicing.
To arrange a chimney sweep or discuss your appliance, visit www.harperschimneysweeps.co.uk or call 01253 366020. The team can also be contacted through the website’s booking and enquiry form.
A few simple checks before autumn can make the first fire of the season far more enjoyable – and help ensure the chimney and appliance are ready for the months ahead.
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