Fire risk, poisoning, and fines, not sweeping your chimney can cost you a lot of money. Let’s take a look.
Summary
Contents
Why is it mandatory to sweep your chimney?
An improperly swept chimney is dangerous for two reasons.
- 1. A blocked flue can cause a fire. Over time, a chimney flue becomes clogged with soot and other residues from wood combustion. These residues can ignite in the chimney flue and increase the risk of fire spreading.
- 2. A blocked flue produces deadly gases. If the gases produced by wood combustion cannot properly escape, they will produce toxic fumes. Carbon monoxide, invisible and odorless, acts as a suffocating gas. The consequences can be fatal.
For these two reasons, sweeping your chimney is mandatory. Otherwise, you may be subject to a fine. In addition, in the event of a fire, you may not be able to activate your home insurance because you will be held responsible for the incident.
What are the signs that indicate I need to sweep my chimney?
Depending on the type of wood and the amount burned, the frequency of chimney sweeping may vary (it is generally recommended to sweep the chimney every five steres). The two signs to observe that it is time to sweep your chimney are a decrease in draft and brown deposits on the walls.
Regardless, the legislation does not give you a choice. Your chimney must be swept at least once a year, during the heating season.
But be careful, in some departments, two annual sweepings are required. Inquire with your town hall to find out if you are affected.
How do I sweep my chimney?
To regularly maintain your chimney flues, you can use a chimney sweeping log and then scrape the walls with a rod or brush. But this type of chemical sweeping remains a light maintenance.
Only mechanical sweeping, carried out by a qualified professional, is valid according to the law.
The professional will provide you with a chimney sweeping certificate after their intervention: this document will be requested by your home insurance in the event of an incident. Some insurances even require biannual chimney sweeping.
How much does chimney sweeping cost?
The price of chimney sweeping for a wood-burning fireplace (or stove) varies depending on the type of chimney, the condition of the flues, but also the region. For a regularly maintained chimney, the range is from 40 to 80 euros.
An amount to be paid, certainly, but it will save you from major troubles: fire, poisoning, and of course, a fine, which can amount to 450 euros. Don’t take risks!
- Why is it mandatory to have a chimney sweeping certificate?
- 10 signs that indicate it is urgent to have your chimney swept
