5 Signs Your Chimney Needs Sweeping
Keeping your home safe and your stove performing at its best
If you have a wood burning stove or open fire, regular chimney sweeping is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home safe and your stove performing at its best. But how do you know when it’s time to call a chimney sweep?
Here are 5 tell-tale signs that your chimney needs sweeping — and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
Sign 1 — Your Stove is Difficult to Light or Keeps Going Out
If your stove is harder to light than usual, or the fire keeps dying despite using good quality dry wood, a blocked or dirty flue could be the culprit. A build-up of soot and creosote restricts airflow, which your stove needs to burn efficiently. Poor draw is one of the most common signs that a chimney sweep is overdue.
Sign 2 — You Notice a Strong Smell Coming from the Fireplace
A strong, unpleasant smell — particularly during warmer months or when it rains — is a classic sign of soot and creosote build-up in your flue. Creosote is a tar-like substance that forms when wood is burned and smoke cools inside the chimney. Not only does it smell, it’s also highly flammable and a leading cause of chimney fires. If you notice an unusual smell from your fireplace, book a sweep as soon as possible.
Sign 3 — There’s Visible Soot or Debris Around the Fireplace
If you’re noticing soot falling into the fireplace, debris dropping down the flue or black marks appearing around the stove door or opening, your chimney is telling you it needs attention. This kind of debris can indicate a blockage — whether from soot build-up, a bird’s nest or other debris — that needs to be professionally cleared.
Sign 4 — Your Stove Glass is Constantly Going Black
A small amount of darkening on stove glass is normal, but if the glass is going completely black very quickly after cleaning, it’s usually a sign of poor combustion caused by restricted airflow. A dirty flue reduces the draw your stove needs to burn cleanly and efficiently. After a professional sweep, you’ll notice the glass stays cleaner for longer and the fire burns much more brightly.
Sign 5 — It’s Been More Than a Year Since Your Last Sweep
Even if you haven’t noticed any of the above signs, if it’s been more than 12 months since your last chimney sweep, it’s time to book one. HETAS recommends having your chimney swept at least once a year for wood burning stoves — and twice a year if you use your stove regularly or burn wood as your primary heat source.
Regular sweeping isn’t just about performance — it’s about safety. A clean, clear flue dramatically reduces the risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide entering your home.
How Often Should You Have Your Chimney Swept?
As a general guide:
Wood burning stoves
At least once a year, ideally before the start of the burning season.
Multi-fuel stoves
At least once a year.
Open fires burning wood
Twice a year.
Open fires burning coal
Once a year minimum.
The best time to book your chimney sweep is late summer or early autumn — before you start using your stove regularly for the winter. This way you go into the colder months knowing your chimney is clean, safe and ready to perform.
Why Choose a HETAS Registered Chimney Sweep?
Always choose a HETAS registered chimney sweep. HETAS registered sweeps are fully trained, certified and insured — and they issue a chimney sweep certificate after every visit, which your home insurer may require as proof of regular maintenance.
At Surrey and Sussex Stoves, we provide a professional, mess-free chimney sweeping service across Worthing, Henfield, Pulborough, West Chiltington, Storrington, Steyning, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing and the surrounding West Sussex area.
Book Your Chimney Sweep Today
Don’t wait until there’s a problem. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above — or it’s simply been a while since your last sweep — get in touch with Surrey and Sussex Stoves today.
Call us: 07526 228785
WhatsApp us directly
Email: hello@sasstoves.com
Or fill in our contact form at surreyandsussexstoves.com
Surrey and Sussex Stoves — HETAS registered stove installers serving Surrey and Sussex.
Ignite Warmth, Install Quality.