Chimney sweeping
Chimney Sweeping in King's Lynn & West Norfolk
Sweeping keeps a chimney or flue clear of the soot, tar and debris that build up as a fire burns. Finch Stoves sweeps open fires, wood burners, multi-fuel stoves and flues in homes across King's Lynn, Downham Market, Swaffham and the surrounding Norfolk villages.
What the service involves
- The hearth and surrounding area are covered with sheets before any work starts.
- The flue is swept using rods and brushes matched to the chimney and the appliance.
- Soot and debris are collected and removed with a filtered vacuum, not brushed into the room.
- A smoke test is carried out where appropriate to check the chimney is drawing properly.
- Anything we notice — cracked pots, failed flaunching, a damaged register plate — is pointed out to you.
Why it may be needed
- Soot and tar restrict the flue, so the fire burns less efficiently and more fuel is wasted.
- Deposits left in a flue are the fuel for a chimney fire.
- A partly blocked chimney can push smoke and combustion gases back into the room.
- Many home insurers ask for evidence that a chimney has been swept regularly.
What you can expect
- An agreed appointment time, and a call if anything changes.
- Dust sheets down, and the room left as we found it.
- A straightforward explanation of the condition of your chimney.
- Documentation of the sweep where it applies.
Common problems we see
- Smoke coming back into the room when the fire is lit.
- A strong smell of soot or tar, particularly in damp weather.
- Tar or creosote glazing caused by burning unseasoned wood or running a stove too cool.
- Nesting material, leaves or fallen brickwork blocking the flue.
Safety information
- Never light a fire in a chimney you suspect is blocked.
- Fit a working carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fuel-burning appliance.
- Burn dry, well-seasoned wood or approved smokeless fuel — wet wood is the main cause of tar build-up.
- If you have had a chimney fire, the chimney should be inspected before it is used again.
When to arrange it
- Before the heating season, so the chimney is ready for autumn and winter.
- After a long period of not using the fire, when nests and debris can gather.
- More often if you burn wood heavily — sweeping frequency depends on the fuel and how much you burn.
- Whenever the fire is not drawing as it should.
Arrange chimney sweeping with Finch Stoves
Tell us about the property and the appliance and we will let you know what is needed. Finch Stoves covers King's Lynn, Downham Market, Swaffham and the surrounding West Norfolk villages.
Also see chimney inspections, CCTV inspections, repairs and cowls, the areas we cover and our frequently asked questions.