Chimney sweep
Rotary or power sweep of the entire flue length, from register plate to cowl. Soot collected in a sealed vacuum, no dust across the room, no black footprints. Debris is bagged and taken away.
Annual Service · Sweep
Chimney Sweeping
& Stove Servicing
Berkshire
The annual service that keeps your stove safe, warranty-valid, and burning cleanly. Sweep, inspect, service, one visit, certificate issued, back to a fire that runs the way it should.
20+ years installing across Windsor & Berkshire · HETAS 3869 · Written quote within 24–48 hours.
20+ yrs
Installing in Windsor & Berkshire
HETAS
Registered installers (3869)
£5m
Zurich Public Liability cover
12 mo
Workmanship guarantee minimum
24–48h
Fixed written quote turnaround
Overview
What this service is: and who it is for.
What it is
Chimney sweeping removes soot, creosote and blockages from the flue. A full stove service goes further, inspection of rope seals, glass, baffle and firebricks, checking of controls, and confirmation that the appliance is running to spec. Both should happen at least annually for any working solid fuel appliance.
Who it is for
Every homeowner with a working wood burner or multi-fuel stove in Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead, Ascot and the surrounding Berkshire and Surrey borders. Also required by many home insurance policies as a condition of cover.
When to book
Once a year for regular users, typically in late summer or early autumn before the season starts. Twice a year for heavy users burning through winter. And before you sell: a recent sweep certificate reassures buyers and their surveyors.
Why professional help matters
Blocked and unswept flues are the single biggest cause of chimney fires. Worn rope seals leak air into the firebox and destroy efficiency. Cracked firebricks reduce combustion temperature and produce more tar. An annual visit prevents all of it, cheaply.
If it's ignored
The cost of getting this wrong is higher than the cost of doing it once.
Unswept flues catch fire.
Creosote builds up on unswept flue walls. Ignited by a hot burn, it produces temperatures well above the design rating of the flue, often causing structural damage even if no visible fire escapes the chimney.
Perished rope seals waste fuel every night.
Door and glass rope seals compress and harden over time. Air leaks in around them, air controls stop working properly, and you burn 20–30% more wood for the same heat.
Cracked firebricks damage the body.
Firebricks protect the steel body of the stove from direct flame. Once cracked, heat starts attacking the metal, a £20 firebrick replacement saves a £1,500 stove body.
Our process
Five steps from first call to certificate in your hand.
The same disciplined sequence on every project, whether it's a Georgian townhouse in Windsor or a new-build media wall in Ascot.
01
Free site survey
Chris visits your home to measure the chimney, hearth, room volume and ventilation. We inspect the flue, discuss aesthetics and confirm what is achievable in your specific property, from Georgian townhouses to sealed new-build breasts.
02
Fixed written quote in 24–48 hours
Every line item priced: stove, flue components, hearth, chamber works, building control. Potential extras (unforeseen chimney issues, structural adjustments) are itemised in advance so the number you sign off is the number you pay.
03
Design & specification sign-off
We refine the stove choice, materials, chamber finish and flue route with you. Deposit: cost of the stove plus 50% of installation, secures your slot within 72 hours of quote acceptance.
04
Installation on site (typically 1–3 days)
Dust sheets and protection go down first. Our HETAS-registered team completes the install to Building Regulations, cleans as we go, and treats your home like our own, no shortcuts, no mess left behind.
05
Testing, HETAS certificate & aftercare
Smoke test, draw test, first light with you present, plus a full walk-through of controls, fuel and maintenance. HETAS certificate issued to you and your insurer. 12-month workmanship guarantee starts the day we leave.
The benefit
What you actually get: beyond a stove in a hole.
Six specific, measurable outcomes we deliver on every job. No vague marketing claims.
Sweep certificate issued
Formal certificate on completion, required by most home insurance policies and reassuring to prospective buyers.
Full appliance inspection
Glass, seals, baffle, firebricks, grate and controls all checked and reported on, not just a brush and out.
Consumable parts replaced on the spot
Rope seals, firebricks and glass panels replaced during the visit where required (charged as consumables).
Draw and combustion checked
Confirmation that the stove is drawing correctly and burning cleanly, not silently over-firing or under-firing.
Fuel and lighting refresher
Written or verbal refresher on seasoning, kindling technique and lighting method for anyone new to the fire.
Warranty protection
Annual servicing keeps manufacturer warranties valid on both the stove body and the flue components.
Deep detail
What a proper annual service actually covers
The engineering, materials and decisions behind the finished job.
Appliance inspection
Full visual inspection of firebox lining, baffle plate, grate (if multi-fuel), door and glass rope seals, hinges, latch and controls. Anything worn is reported with a repair estimate.
Draw and smoke test
A smoke pellet confirms the flue is drawing correctly and free of leaks into adjacent flues or rooms. If anything is off, we diagnose on the spot rather than leaving you guessing.
Consumables and quick fixes
Rope seals, firebricks and glass panels can typically be replaced on the same visit for a modest consumables charge, no return trip needed for routine wear items.
Frequently asked
The questions we hear most often about chimney sweeping & servicing.
How much does a chimney sweep cost?
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A standard single-flue sweep with certificate typically starts around £80–£120 depending on chimney height and access. A full stove service including inspection and any consumable replacements is quoted at booking.
How often should I have my stove serviced?
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Once a year for typical use. Twice a year for heavy winter users. Multi-fuel stoves burning smokeless benefit from twice-yearly sweeps due to higher deposit rates.
Is a sweep certificate required by insurance?
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Many home insurers require it as a condition of cover on properties with working solid fuel appliances. Check your policy: most name a HETAS-approved sweep as a requirement.
Do you service stoves you did not install?
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Yes: we service and sweep any make of stove, regardless of who fitted it originally.
How long does a service take?
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Typically 45–90 minutes on site for a straightforward sweep and inspection. Longer if consumable replacements are needed on the day.
Do you leave a mess?
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No: modern sweeping equipment includes sealed vacuum extraction. We dust sheet the hearth and surrounding area and leave the room as we found it.
Can you sweep a chimney with a stove already fitted?
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Yes: that is the normal case. Sweeping happens from below via the register plate access hatch we build into every install.
Can you sweep an open fireplace?
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Yes: we sweep open fires as well as stove flues, though the majority of our work is around installed appliances.
Related services
Frequently specified alongside chimney sweeping & servicing.
Areas we serve
Installing across Windsor, Eton & Berkshire.
Next step
Book the free site survey. Have a written, fixed quote within 48 hours.
Chris personally attends every survey, measures the chimney, discusses the design, and prices every line item transparently. No sales pressure. No hidden extras on invoice day.
- Free 45-minute home survey.
- Fixed written quote within 24–48 hours.
- HETAS certificate on completion of every install.
- 12-month workmanship guarantee minimum.