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We recently partnered with Tolley Home Services, a Herefordshire based company which helps their customers keep their property in great condition.
Their services include chimney sweeping and maintenance, multi fuel stove installation and servicing and a variety of other property maintenance services including window and door fitting service. 

 

Their chimney sweeping services include sweeping, chimney maintenance, CCTV camera inspections, vermin/pest removal and cowl fitting. They are registered with HETAS and as a Master Chimney with the National Association of Chimney Sweeps. In addition they are approved with HETAS for multi fuel stove installations and are able to supply and fit woodburners.

 

Why do THS think it's good to sweep your chimney? 

As winter approaches, you should make sure your chimney is swept and have your first sweep at the start of the season, ideally in September. It's good to try and do it when you’ve not used your fstove for a while. If you use your fire/stove regularly then you should look to have your chimney swept twice a year so start and end of the colder months and for some that are in constant use it should be three times.

The decision to have a regular sweep ensures you are also compliant for insurance purposes. House insurers like to know you are maintaining your property well and a good chimney sweep will issue you with a certificate which covers you for a year. This certificate is also handy if you’re moving house as your buyer's solicitor will ask for it.

If you don't clean your chimney regularly, soot will accumulate around the flue causing an inability to draw smoke upwards. The smoke will then be directed to your room leaving black soot on the walls, furniture, and carpeting.

Not cleaning your chimney regularly also increases the chances of chimney fires which are caused by soot and or debris such as bird nests or nearby trees which enter your flue if it has not been protected by a chimney cowl.

Signs to look out for include:
  • A loud, crackling or popping noise from the chimney flue
  • A lot of dense, thick smoke coming into the fireplace or out of the top of the chimney
  • A strong, intensely hot smell
  • A roaring sound that might remind you of an aeroplane.

Regular cleaning will also protect you from the potential invisible killer carbon monoxide which causes poisoning and even death.

Good maintenance not only keeps you safe but it also saves you money from costly chimney repair bills. 

 

Why do THS partner with Certainly Wood? 

We love working with Certainly Wood and recommend them to our customers because not only are they a local company but most importantly they offer high quality wood that is sustainably produced and accredited under the Woodsure Ready To Burn Scheme. This gives us peace of mind when making our recommendations and also makes our job easier as burning high quality wood is not only good for the environment, it is good for your stove and chimney and helps keep them in great condition.

You can find out more about our services on our website, Tolley Home Services or Contact Us for an informal chat.