Get Your Fireplace & Chimney Ready for Heating Season
The nights are drawing in, temperatures are dropping, and you're thinking about that first cozy fire of the season. But is your chimney ready? Follow our professional autumn checklist to ensure a safe, warm winter.
Every year, the same thing happens. The first cold snap arrives, thousands of people light their fires for the first time... and then the problems start. Smoke pouring into rooms. Chimney fires. Carbon monoxide alarms going off.
Here's the thing: most of these issues are completely preventable with a bit of preparation in September and October. By the time November rolls around and everyone's scrambling for an emergency chimney sweep, you'll be sitting cozy by a perfectly functioning fire.
Pro Tip: September to early October is the sweet spot. Chimney sweeps are available, you've got time to fix any problems, and you won't be freezing while waiting for repairs!
Work through these 10 essential tasks before you light that first fire
This is THE most important task. You legally need your chimney swept at least once a year, and now is the perfect time.
When: September-October (before the winter rush)
Why: Removes soot, creosote, and blockages. Prevents chimney fires and carbon monoxide issues.
Cost: £50-£80 (much cheaper than a chimney fire!)
Go outside and look at your chimney from ground level (or use binoculars if it's high). Check for:
Spot problems? Don't ignore them. Contact a professional before lighting any fires. Small issues become expensive repairs if left.
If you have a wood burner or multi-fuel stove, give it a thorough check:
Door seals should be tight. If you can pull a £10 note through a closed door easily, they need replacing.
Use proper stove glass cleaner to remove built-up tar and soot for better visibility.
This deflector plate can crack over time. Look for damage or warping.
Make sure vents open and close smoothly. Stiff controls need lubrication.
Before lighting a fire, test that your chimney is pulling air correctly:
Simple Draw Test:
✅ Good: Smoke goes straight up the
chimney
❌ Problem: Smoke comes back into the room =
blockage or draft issue. Call a professional before using.
This could literally save your life. Carbon monoxide is invisible, odourless, and deadly.
Press the test button on all CO and smoke alarms. If they don't beep loudly, replace batteries or the entire unit.
Check expiry dates. CO alarms typically last 7-10 years. If yours is older, replace it now.
Position correctly. CO alarm should be at head height in the same room as your fire. Smoke alarm on the ceiling.
Autumn is the perfect time to build your winter wood supply. Prices are often better before winter demand hits.
What to Buy:
Never burn: Wet wood, treated wood, painted wood, or household rubbish. It's dangerous, illegal, and damages your chimney.
Remove all the ash, debris, and remnants from last season. Start fresh.
Vacuum out all ash and soot. Clean the hearth. Check for cracks in the fireback.
Empty ash pan completely. Vacuum inside (when cold!). Check fire bricks for cracks.
Pro Tip: Save some ash! A thin layer (1-2cm) in the bottom helps insulate and improves airflow for your next fire.
Birds LOVE nesting in chimneys during spring and summer. By autumn, those nests are dry fire hazards blocking your flue.
Signs of Bird Nests:
Solution: Professional nest removal (£80-150) + cowl installation (£80-200) prevents future nesting and saves you money long-term.
Most home insurance policies have specific requirements for chimneys and wood burners. Make sure you're compliant.
Certificate Required: Annual sweeping certificate from a HETAS registered sweep. Keep these safe - you'll need them for any claims.
Frequency: Typically once per year minimum. Twice yearly if you burn frequently (Nov-March daily use).
Warning: If you don't have proof of regular sweeping, your insurance might refuse to pay out after a chimney fire. Don't risk it.
Don't wait for the first freezing night! Do a test fire on a mild day in early October.
Why a Test Burn?
Best Time: A cool evening in late September or early October. Don't wait until the first frost!
Here are the issues we see every year when homeowners start preparing for winter:
The most common complaint. You light a fire and instead of going up the chimney, smoke pours into your living room.
Possible Causes:
Solution:
Professional chimney sweep will identify and clear blockages. If it's a structural/draft issue, they'll recommend solutions like cowl installation or chimney extension.
Summer rain has been sitting in your chimney for months, causing dampness and musty odours.
What's Happening:
Without a chimney cowl or rain guard, water enters your chimney all summer. It mixes with old soot creating a smelly, corrosive mess. Chimney breast dampness can damage internal walls.
Solution:
Thorough chimney sweep to remove damp soot. Install a rain cowl (£80-200) to prevent future water ingress. May need repointing if mortar is damaged.
Rope seals have degraded over summer, causing air leaks and reduced efficiency.
Test Your Seals:
Close the door on a £10 note. If you can pull it out easily, your seals need replacing. You should feel significant resistance.
Solution:
Replace rope seals (DIY £15-30 or professional service £40-80). Essential for efficiency and safety. Fresh seals make a huge difference to heat output.
Jackdaws especially love chimneys. One nest can completely block the flue.
Why It's Dangerous:
Solution:
Professional removal (£80-150). Install a bird guard or cowl (£80-200) to prevent return. Worth every penny - nests are a serious fire hazard.
Don't be the person calling in December saying "I need an emergency sweep, we're freezing!"
Book now. Be ready. Enjoy a cozy, safe winter.
Print this out and tick off each task as you complete it
At Sweep Sisters, we're here to help Essex and Hertfordshire homeowners get ready for heating season. Don't wait until the winter rush - book your autumn chimney sweep today.
HETAS Certified • Fully Insured • Essex & Hertfordshire
A: Mid-September to early October is ideal. This gives you time before the winter rush, allows for any repairs to be completed, and ensures you're ready when the first cold weather hits. Avoid waiting until November - that's when everyone else panics and books, leading to 2-4 week waits.
A: Yes! Even unused chimneys collect debris, bird nests, and moisture damage over summer. Before using it again, you need a professional inspection and sweep. Old soot from previous years is still there and can be a fire hazard.
A: You can do Tasks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 yourself (inspecting, cleaning, testing alarms, stocking wood). But Task 1 (professional sweep) is non-negotiable - it's required by law and insurance, and DIY chimney sweeping is genuinely dangerous and ineffective. The £60-80 is worth it.
A: This is exactly WHY you do autumn preparation! Finding problems in September/October means you have time to fix them before you need heating. Contact a professional immediately for: structural damage, blockages you can't clear, persistent dampness, or anything that affects safety. Don't light fires until issues are resolved.
A: Basic preparation budget: Professional sweep £60-80, quality wood £100-150, CO alarm (if needed) £20-40, rope seals (if needed) £15-30. Total: roughly £200-300 to be fully prepared for winter. Compare that to emergency callouts, repairs, or chimney fire damage - it's a bargain for peace of mind.
A: Don't panic, but act fast! Contact chimney sweeps immediately (we often prioritize customers who've been waiting). In the meantime: DON'T use your fire until it's swept and checked. One unswept fire could cause a chimney fire. It's better to use alternative heating for a couple of weeks than risk a disaster.
Follow this checklist, and you'll be enjoying your fire worry-free all season long. Stay warm, stay safe, and don't forget to book that sweep!
