FAQ | Chimney Charlie

FAQ's

How can I get the best performance from my wood-burner?

Burning hot is the key. Once your wood burner is installed, there are three key factors you can control to maximise its efficiency and heat output. For more details, simply click the button below to download the full article. It’s available for you to save and print.

Why does my wood burner emit smoke into the room when I first light it?

You might be experiencing 'cold chimney syndrome.' For expert advice on how to resolve this, click the button down below.

Burn Hot

Why should I have my chimney swept?

For two key reasons:

Fire Prevention: Regular sweeping reduces the risk of a chimney fire.
Improved Air Quality: It minimizes the release of harmful gases, particularly carbon monoxide, into your home.

A clean chimney is a safer chimney!

Why is an un-swept chimney more likely to cause toxic fumes to spill into the room?

If flue deposits are left to build up, they narrow the chimney, reducing its ability to safely vent toxic fumes. When gases can’t escape, they may enter the room instead.

This can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell, prompting action. However, carbon monoxide—one of these gases—is odorless, invisible, and highly toxic. Its symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses, making it especially dangerous and potentially fatal.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is more common than many realize and widely misunderstood. Always fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance, and educate yourself on prevention and symptoms.

Why is an un-swept chimney more likely to catch fire?

An un-swept chimney above an open fire or wood burner accumulates soot, creosote (tar), or both, depending on the fuel and burn temperature.

As wood burns, it releases hydrocarbon fumes (smoke). Unburnt fumes rise up the flue, where cooler surfaces cause creosote to condense into flammable deposits. Soot, made of incompletely burned carbon, also sticks to chimney walls. Both can ignite if exposed to high heat or stray embers.

Without regular sweeping, these deposits build up, restricting airflow, increasing further buildup, and raising the risk of fire. Chimney fires can spread beyond the flue, causing costly damage, often requiring re-lining before safe use.

Why is Carbon Monoxide (CO) dangerous and what are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Factors That Make Carbon Monoxide (CO) Dangerous:

Lack of awareness – Many don’t realize how easily CO can enter our breathing space or how toxic it is.
Undetectable nature – CO is invisible, odorless, and can go unnoticed by both humans and animals.
Misdiagnosed symptoms – Early signs resemble flu, food poisoning, or general tiredness, leading to misattribution

All domestic burning appliances produce some CO. In a well-functioning flue, CO is safely expelled. However, inefficient burning or blocked vents can allow it to enter a room, where it accumulates, starting from the ceiling downward.

CO is highly toxic because it binds to hemoglobin in the blood 200 times more strongly than oxygen, preventing oxygen circulation. This leads to oxygen starvation, which won’t be relieved simply by fresh air—CO remains in the bloodstream unless treated. The effects accumulate over time.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning:

(Not everyone experiences all symptoms, or in the same order.)

Mild: Tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, nausea
Moderate: Confusion, erratic behavior, breathlessness, chest pain, vision loss
Severe: Collapse, unconsciousness, death

Prevention Tip: Always install a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with solid fuel appliances and educate yourself on CO risks and symptoms.

What sort of problems might a chimney have in drawing air?

A chimney must be correctly designed and sized to effectively draw exhaust fumes from a fire or wood burner. Building Regulations cover this, ensuring properly constructed chimneys function well and prevent smoke from entering the room.

However, several factors can affect chimney draw:

Windy conditions causing downdrafts.
Poor sealing between the appliance and chimney.
Blocked or insufficient ventilation, often due to modern insulation upgrades (e.g., double glazing).
Cold chimneys may smoke at startup but work fine once warm.
Pressure inversions affecting airflow.
Blockages, such as bird nests or collapsed brickwork/lining.
Smoke leakage from another chimney.

If you're experiencing chimney issues, I’m happy to help—sometimes, a simple phone call is all it takes. Feel free to get in touch!

How often should I have my chimney swept?

Sweeping frequency depends on usage and burning habits, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A good rule of thumb: if your stove glass is tarred up, your chimney likely is too!

General Sweeping Guidelines:

Smokeless fuel – At least once a year
Wood – Quarterly while in use
Biomass – At least once a year
Oil & Gas – Once a year

If you're unsure, I’m happy to offer guidance, feel free to get in touch

What sort of safety checks will be preformed while my chimney is swept?

In addition to sweeping your chimney, I carry out essential safety checks. If your chimney poses a serious risk to life, I won’t be able to sweep it and will inform you immediately.

Safety Checks Include:

Building Regulations Compliance – Highlighting any irregularities.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm – Ensuring a working alarm is present.
Ventilation Assessment – Checking if airflow is adequate.
Smoke Evacuation Test – Verifying the chimney draws properly.

I’ll explain my findings, answer any questions, and document everything on your sweeping certificate.

How do I get rid of a birds nest in a chimney?

Birds’ nests in chimneys can cause serious hazards, including blockages that allow toxic fumes to enter the room or an increased risk of chimney fires. Before safely using your fire or wood burner, any nest must be removed.

Nests often contain bird droppings, which release bacteria-laden dust when disturbed. Proper protective equipment is essential for safe removal. I have the necessary gear and specialized chimney rod fittings to handle this safely.

Jackdaws are particularly known for nesting in chimneys, and the amount of debris they leave behind can be staggering—my largest removal to date filled seven wheelbarrows! If you suspect a nest, I’m happy to help.

CALL

07531 277 668

EMAIL

chimney.charlie@
howardthesweep.com

AREAS COVERED

Newbury

Thatcham

Cold Ash

Hermitage

Bucklebury

Compton

East & West Ilsley

Kintbury

Highclere

Pangbourne

And many more surrounding areas

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