Homeowner advice

Chimney, stove and flue safety advice

Simple, practical guidance to help homeowners use solid fuel appliances safely, understand when sweeping is needed and know what to expect from a professional ICS member.

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Safety essentials

Why regular sweeping matters

A clean, well-maintained flue helps your appliance work safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of chimney fires, blockages and dangerous gases entering the home.

Remove soot and creosote

Sweeping helps clear deposits that can restrict airflow and increase the risk of chimney fires.

Spot blockages

Nests, debris or other obstructions can stop the flue from venting correctly.

Support safer draw

Good airflow allows smoke and dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide, to leave safely.

Keep useful records

After sweeping, an ICS member will issue a sweeping certificate for your records.

How often?

Sweeping frequency depends on fuel, appliance and use

These timings are a general homeowner guide. Your ICS member can advise based on your appliance, the fuel you burn and how often it is used.

Book a local member
Smokeless fuel At least once a year.
Wood Twice a year when used regularly.
Bituminous coal Twice a year.
Oil and gas flues At least once a year.
Thatched properties Twice a year, or as advised by your insurer.
What to expect

ICS member best practice

Professional sweeping is careful, methodical work. A regular sweep should usually take long enough to protect the room, clean the full flue and complete checks afterwards.

  • Allow enough time. A general sweep should usually take around 45 minutes to 1 hour as a minimum.
  • Protect the home. Your sweep should sheet up the area, including suitable floor protection and protection around the appliance or fireplace.
  • Use suitable equipment. Professional sweeps use industrial-type vacuums with appropriate filtration for soot containment and clean-up.
  • Sweep the full flue. The sweep will confirm the brush has reached the chimney pot or flue terminal, where it can visibly be seen.
  • Carry out a smoke draw test. This helps check that smoke is drawing through the flue after sweeping.
  • Issue a certificate. After sweeping, the sweep will provide a certificate for your records.
Wood burning

Which wood should I burn?

All wood burns; different species burn at different temperatures, and at a slower pace. Good stove use starts with dry well-seasoned wood or your choice of alternative authorised fuel.

Season properly

Use well-seasoned wood. As a guide, firewood should be seasoned for at least 24 months.

Keep moisture low

Never burn wood with a moisture content above 20%.

Buy and store carefully

Avoid poor storage, logs need air to regulate the moisture content, don’t burn logs sold in plastic bags until allowed to season, or logs left exposed to wet conditions.

Common firewood guide
  • Apple: Burns slowly with moderate heat and a pleasant flame.
  • Ash: Burns fast with excellent heat output.
  • Beech: Similar burn to ash.
  • Birch: Quick burning with strong heat output.
  • Oak: Burns very slowly with low to moderate heat.
  • Pine: Good flame and heat, but can spit.
More wood types
  • Cedar: Good heat and burn quality.
  • Sycamore: Good flame and moderate heat.
  • Rowan: Burns hot and slow.
  • Plum: Good heat with a pleasant scent.
  • Pear: Good heat and scent, with little spitting.
  • Hawthorn: Burns hot and slow, making it very good firewood.
FAQs

Common homeowner questions

Answers to common questions about costs, mess, vacuums, chimney cleaning logs, nests and certificates.

The average cost will depend on your location and the condition of the flue. As a general rule a sweep for a regularly well maintained flue the cost is between £60–£80 and should usually last between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

ICS members use appropriate equipment to contain soot and protect the home. You should expect minimal disruption under normal conditions.

Professional sweeps use industrial-type vacuums for debris containment and clean-up. A vacuum should never be used as the sole tool to clean the flue itself.

Chimney cleaning logs should only be used alongside professional sweeping. They do not remove soot or creosote merely loosen to enable effective removal by a sweep.

Live nests are protected by law and cannot be removed during nesting season. Nesting season runs from February to September, but this may vary by species, and with climate change might begin earlier or run longer. However, if alive leave alone.

You are not legally required to use a HETAS-approved sweep. ICS members are professional chimney sweeps who work to ICS and FBCS standards and will issue sweeping certificates after sweeping.
Videos

Further safety resources

Use these videos alongside professional advice from your local ICS member.

Defra Burn Better

Find out how you can burn better.

Chimney fire safety

A short safety video for homeowners.

Need advice for your own chimney, stove or flue?

Find a verified ICS member near you and ask for guidance based on your appliance, fuel and usage.

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