Services
Chimney Services in Pickering
Chimney sweeping, CCTV inspections, log burner repairs and bird nest removal across Pickering and Ryedale. Power swept, not just brushed, with a certificate for every job.
Chimney Sweeping in Pickering
Power swept open fires, wood burners and multi-fuel stoves, with soot cleared right back rather than brushed over the surface.
What's included
- Power sweeping of the full flue
- Dust sheets down before starting
- Soot and debris bagged and removed
- Smoke test where appropriate
- Certificate issued after the sweep
- Advice on burning and maintenance
I sweep open fires, wood burners and multi-fuel stoves using power sweeping rods rather than a hand brush, so the flue gets cleared properly rather than just knocked clean at the surface. Dust sheets go down first to protect the hearth and carpet, and all the soot comes out with me rather than left in a bag by the door.
Every sweep gets a certificate, which is useful for your insurance and for building control if you've had work done on the chimney. I'll also flag anything I notice while I'm up there - a cracked pot, a bit of nesting material, signs of damp - so you know about it before it becomes a bigger job.
CCTV Chimney Inspections in Pickering
A camera run down the flue to check for cracks, blockages or damage that a standard sweep won't show you.
What's included
- Camera survey of the full flue
- Recorded footage of any defects
- Check for cracked or missing liner
- Blockages and nesting identified
- Written explanation of findings
- Advice on any follow-up work needed
Where a sweep alone doesn't tell the full story - buying a new house, an older chimney, or a flue that's giving you trouble - I run a CCTV camera down to have a proper look. It picks up cracked liners, gaps in brickwork, old bird nests and anything else sitting in the flue that a brush would miss.
I'll talk you through what the camera picks up on the day, not just hand over a report and leave. If there's a problem, you'll know what it is and roughly what needs doing about it, rather than being left guessing.
Log Burner Repairs in Pickering
Servicing and repairs to keep wood burners and multi-fuel stoves running safely and burning properly.
What's included
- Rope seals and door gaskets checked
- Glass and airwash cleaned
- Stove baffle and firebox inspected
- Flue connection checked for a tight fit
- Advice on fuel and burning technique
- Sweep carried out alongside repairs
A stove that's smoking into the room, burning through fuel too fast, or just not drawing like it used to is often down to a worn seal, a warped baffle plate or a flue that needs sweeping rather than anything major. I check these over as part of a service and sort what needs sorting.
Repairs get done alongside a sweep where it makes sense, so you're not paying for two separate visits when one will do. I'll explain what was wrong and what I did, so you know what to keep an eye on going forward.
Bird Nest Removal in Pickering
Nests and blocked debris cleared from the flue, with the chimney left swept and running properly afterwards.
What's included
- Nest and debris removed from flue
- Full sweep once the blockage is clear
- Check for damage caused by nesting
- Bird guard fitting advised where needed
- Certificate issued after the work
- Advice on preventing repeat nesting
Jackdaws and other birds nesting in an unused flue is one of the more common reasons for a blocked chimney, and it's not something you want to find out about when you light the first fire of the season. I clear the nest and any debris that's come down with it, then sweep the flue properly once it's clear.
Once it's sorted, I'll talk you through fitting a bird guard so it doesn't happen again, and check the chimney over for any damage the nesting might have caused while it was in there.
Lined & Pot-Lined Chimney Sweeping in Pickering
Sweeping for flexible-lined and pot-lined chimneys, cleared thoroughly and left clean at the end.
What's included
- Sweeping suited to the liner type
- Pot and cowl checked and cleared
- Soot removed rather than pushed down
- Liner checked for damage or gaps
- Dust sheets and tidy clean-up
- Certificate issued after the sweep
Lined and pot-lined chimneys need sweeping in a way that suits the liner rather than just running a standard brush through, so I adjust the method depending on what's fitted. The aim is the same either way - get the soot out properly rather than just knocking it loose.
I'll check the pot and cowl while I'm up there too, since these are often where birds get in or where a liner starts to show wear first. Everything gets cleared away and left tidy, with a certificate at the end for your records.
Range & Multi-Fuel Stove Sweeping in Pickering
Sweeping and inspection for range cookers and multi-fuel stoves, cleaned properly and explained as I go.
What's included
- Full flue sweep for the range or stove
- Firebox and baffle checked
- Soot cleared from the full system
- Explanation of what's found
- Advice on fuel and running the stove
- Certificate issued after the work
Ranges and multi-fuel stoves often get used harder than an open fire, so the flue can need more attention. I sweep the full system, check the firebox and baffle, and clear soot out properly rather than leaving it sitting in the flue.
I'll explain what I find as I go, particularly if you're new to running a range or multi-fuel stove, so you know what to look out for between sweeps.
How It Works
Three steps, no pressure
1
Call or message
Get in touch and tell me what you've got - open fire, wood burner, range - and when it was last swept. I'll ask enough to book the right visit.
2
I come out and sweep
I turn up when arranged, get dust sheets down and power sweep the flue properly, clearing away all the soot as I go.
3
Certificate and advice
You get a certificate for the sweep and a straight explanation of anything I've spotted, plus any advice on keeping the chimney running well.