Services
Chimney & Stove Services in the Local Area
From a straightforward sweep to fitting a new wood burner or bringing a disused fireplace back into use, every job is carried out cleanly, to current standards, and with straight advice about what your chimney or stove actually needs.
Chimney Sweeping in the Local Area
A full sweep of the flue and chimney breast, working front-of-fire with sheeting down and dust kept to a minimum.
What's included
- Full brush sweep of flue and chimney
- Smoke or CCTV check where needed
- Soot and debris cleared and bagged
- Dust sheets down before starting
- Notice/certificate issued after sweep
- Advice on any repairs spotted
A sweep covers the full length of the flue, from the fireplace or stove up through the chimney breast, clearing soot, debris and any blockages such as nests or falls of brick. I sheet the hearth and surrounding area before starting, so nothing escapes into the room while the brush is going up and down.
Once the sweep is done I check the flue for any obvious problems, tell you what I've found, and issue the paperwork you need for insurance or building control. If anything needs further work, such as relining or repairs, I'll explain what's involved before you decide anything.
Wood Burner Installation in the Local Area
Stoves fitted to Document J, with the flue, hearth and clearances checked and signed off properly.
What's included
- Stove and flue sized to the room
- Hearth and clearance checks
- Flue liner fitted to suit the stove
- Document J compliance
- Old fireplace opened up if needed
- Notification/certification arranged
Fitting a wood burner properly means getting the whole system right, not just the stove itself: the flue size and route, the hearth, and the clearances to combustible material all have to work together. I check each of these before anything goes in, and size the liner to suit the stove and the chimney it's going into.
Where a fireplace has stood unused for years, that can mean opening it up first to see what's actually there before deciding on the best route for the flue. Once the stove is fitted I make sure it's certified correctly, so you've got the paperwork for building control or insurance and know the installation is done to Document J.
Flue Fitting & Relining in the Local Area
New liners fitted or existing flues relined to suit the stove and the condition of the chimney.
What's included
- Chimney inspected before relining
- Liner sized to stove and flue
- Insulation and register plate fitted
- Old or damaged flues replaced
- Flue tested once installed
- Advice on flue condition and repairs
Before fitting a new liner I check the condition of the existing flue, its size, and whether it's suitable for the stove going onto it. A flue that's the wrong diameter or in poor condition can cause a stove to underperform or, worse, be unsafe, so getting this right matters more than the stove itself in a lot of cases.
I fit the liner with insulation and a register plate to close off the void around it, and test the system once it's in to make sure it's drawing properly. Where a chimney has been dormant for years, relining is often the job that makes it usable again.
Stove Maintenance & Servicing in the Local Area
Regular servicing of the stove, flue and seals to keep it burning efficiently and catch problems early.
What's included
- Stove glass and door seals checked
- Flue and baffle plate cleaned
- Rope seals replaced if worn
- Efficiency and draw checked
- Small repairs caught before they grow
- Honest advice on stove condition
A stove that isn't serviced tends to burn less efficiently over time, as seals wear, baffle plates get clogged with soot, and the flue picks up deposits. Servicing covers all of these: checking the door seals and glass, cleaning the flue and any removable baffle, and making sure the stove is drawing as it should.
It's also the point where small issues get caught before they turn into bigger ones, a worn rope seal or a cracked baffle plate is a straightforward fix now and a bigger job later if it's left. I'll tell you straight if something needs doing, and if it doesn't, I'll say that too.
Fireplace Restoration in the Local Area
Opening up boarded or plastered fireplaces to reveal the original brickwork underneath.
What's included
- Plaster or boarding removed
- Original brickwork exposed
- Chimney checked once opened up
- Made good ready for a stove or fire
- Advice on bringing it back into use
Many fireplaces have been plastered over or boarded up for years, often with no idea what's actually behind them. Opening one up means carefully removing the plaster or boarding to reveal the brickwork, then checking the condition of the opening and the chimney above it before deciding what's possible.
Once it's opened up I make good around the opening and advise on what it can be used for, whether that's a straightforward open fire, a stove, or just left as a feature. It's often the first step before a wood burner installation, since you can't fit a stove properly into an opening nobody's checked.
Stove & Chimney Advice in the Local Area
Straight answers on what your chimney or stove actually needs, before any work is agreed.
What's included
- Chimney and flue condition assessed
- Guidance on Document J requirements
- HETAS-aware stove recommendations
- Clear answer on what needs doing
- No pressure to take on extra work
A lot of the advice I give happens before any tools come out: whether a chimney is suitable for a stove, what size flue it needs, whether an old fireplace can be opened up safely, or what current regulations actually require. I keep up with Document J and take a HETAS-aware approach, so what I tell you reflects the current standards rather than guesswork.
If a chimney needs relining, I'll say so. If it doesn't, I'll say that too. The aim is for you to make a decision based on an honest read of what's actually there, not on being sold the most expensive option.
How It Works
Three steps, no pressure
1
Call or message
Tell Martin what you're dealing with, a sweep, a new stove, or a fireplace that's been closed up for years. He'll ask enough to know whether he needs to come and see it first.
2
Free survey & quote
Martin comes to look at the chimney or fireplace, checks what's actually involved, and gives you a fixed quote before anything is agreed.
3
The work
Martin carries out the sweep, install or restoration, working cleanly around your home and leaving you with the paperwork and advice you need.