The Dangers of Carbon MonoxideMany people neglect to sweep thier chimney, boiler pipes or Aga and Rayburn flues often enough. This can be from forgetfulness, not deeming it necessary or cost. However it pays to be diligent, carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer and the householder may not realise they could be at risk.
Chimneys need to be checked by a qualified and professional sweep who has been trained to look out for danger signs. These include cracks in the masonry, a poorly installed liner and any chimney fire damage. All these symptoms can allow smoke to escape into the house and slowly poison those living there.
Symptoms to be aware of include:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and Dizziness
- General Lethargy
Signs to be aware of regarding the appliance include:
- Sooting on or near the appliance
- Fire not drawing
- Excessive condensation in the room
Other problems to avoid are a build up of soot clinging to the chimney walls which can catch alight and cause chimney fire and a blockage caused by amongst other things, a bird's nest. A professionally trained sweep can give your chimney a clean bill of health.
This is because a Guild member has been rigorously trained to a high standard to deliver an excellent service and he or she uses the most up-to-date equipment on the market. Also it is instilled into the sweep to achieve high levels of cleanliness when entering a customer's home.
Upon completion of the chimney sweep a certificate is issued allowing customers to know the state of their appliance or chimney and what exactly has been done. It is also useful as proof for insurance purposes.
Chimney Sweeping Frequency
- Smokeless fuels - At least once a year
- Biuminous coal - At least twice a year
- Wood - Twice a year, especially if using green wood
- Oil - Once a year