Stove Servicing
Wood burner or log burner blackening the glass, burning too fast or letting smoke out round the door? We sweep the flue, then service the stove itself: seals, glass, baffle, firebricks and controls. Rated 5.0 from 95 Google reviews.
A clean flue is only half the job
A stove with worn seals or a cracked baffle burns badly and makes more creosote. If the door doesn't seal, air gets in where it shouldn't, the fire runs away with itself and you lose control of the burn. That means more fuel, dirtier glass and more tar building up in the flue. You can read more about creosote and why it matters.
We are Adele and Sian, sisters and HETAS-certified sweeps, and we service wood burners and multi-fuel stoves ourselves. We usually do it at the same visit as your sweep, so the flue and the stove are both sorted in one go. Dust sheets go down and the industrial vacuum runs the whole time.
What a stove service covers
These are the parts we check on every wood burner and log burner we service, and what we do with each one.
Door rope seals
The rope round the door wears flat and hard over time. We replace it so the door closes tight again and the air controls actually do their job.
Glass and glass seals
We replace the seal that holds the glass in the door and clean the glass. If it blackens again quickly, our guide on cleaning log burner glass explains why.
Baffle and throat plate
The plate at the top of the firebox collects soot and debris and can sag or crack. We check it and clear it so smoke and gases flow up the flue as they should.
Firebricks
The bricks lining the firebox protect the stove body from the heat. Cracked or crumbling firebricks are replaced so the stove stays protected.
Air controls
Vents and sliders that are stiff, seized or rattling are freed up and adjusted, so you can turn the fire up and down properly.
Door catches and hinges
A loose catch or worn hinge stops the door pulling in against the seal. We adjust or free them up so the door shuts firmly and the stove draws as it should.
Signs your stove needs a service
If any of these sound familiar, it's worth getting the stove looked at before you next light it.
- The glass blackens soon after you light the fire
- You can't control the burn, or the fire roars even with the vents shut
- Smoke escaping round the door
- Cracked or crumbling firebricks
- The door doesn't shut tight
- Air controls that rattle or are stiff to move
- A smell of smoke in the room
- The stove hasn't been serviced in over a year
How a stove service works
We do the sweep and the service in the same visit. Here's what happens when we come out.
We sweep the flue
We sweep the chimney first and give it a visual inspection. A standard sweep usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.
We service the stove
We replace worn rope seals, clean the glass, check and clear the baffle or throat plate, replace cracked firebricks and free up the air controls and door catch.
We test it
We smoke test the flue to make sure it's drawing and not leaking, and check the door seal. A simple paper test works well: close the door on a strip of paper, and if it slides out easily the seal isn't gripping.
Certificate and advice
We tidy up, give you a sweeping certificate for your records and talk you through anything we found. If you want a refresher, our guide on how to light a log burner covers getting the most from it.
Wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves only We service wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves. We don't work on gas stoves, which need a Gas Safe registered engineer. Whatever you burn, a carbon monoxide alarm should be fitted in the room with any solid fuel appliance. It's required in rented homes and with new installations in England, and sensible in every home. See our guide to getting your log burner ready for winter.
In our customers’ own words
Real reviews from homeowners we have swept for.
“Done the job and left the rooms spotless. You wouldn’t have known they’d been to clean our open fire and multi fuel stove.”
Steve R.
“Very professional, friendly, knowledgeable and made absolutely no mess.”
Nina W.
“The log burner is performing better than it ever did.”
John E.
“Checked my CO2 alarm, tightened the door handle on my burner and cleaned it all.”
Sally M.
“I was shocked at how much came out of my chimney yet my house was left all clean and tidy.”
Jackie D.
“Arrived early. Cleaning chimney and wood burner. Quick, clean, efficient and friendly.”
Jon K.
5.0 from 95 Google reviews
Here is what homeowners across Essex and Hertfordshire say about Sweep Sisters.
Stove servicing prices
Most stove services are done at the same visit as a sweep, so the flue and the stove are both looked after in one go.
Standard chimney or stove sweep
From £95Full sweep, visual inspection, smoke test, clean-up and a sweeping certificate for your records.
Stove servicing
QuotedUsually done alongside a sweep. Priced once we've seen the stove and what parts it needs. We confirm the price with you before any work starts.
CCTV flue inspection
From £75Added to a sweep. A camera run up the flue to check the inside properly.
Sweep and CCTV inspection
From £170The sweep and a CCTV flue inspection together in one visit.
Prices are for a single flue. No hidden call-out fees. See all our chimney services or read our chimney sweep cost guide for Essex & Hertfordshire.
Where we work
We cover most of Essex and Hertfordshire. Not sure about your postcode? Send us a message.
Essex
- Chimney sweep Essex
- Chelmsford
- Brentwood
- Harlow
- Epping
- Hutton
- Loughton
- Theydon Bois
- Ongar
- Roydon
- Hatfield Heath
- Dunmow
- Stansted
- Newport
Hertfordshire
- Chimney sweep Hertfordshire
- Hertford
- St Albans
- Bishop’s Stortford
- Sawbridgeworth
- Little Hadham
- Saffron Walden
- Eastwick
- Hunsdon
Stove servicing questions
How often should a stove be serviced?
Once a year, ideally before winter when you start using it more. The easiest way is to have it done alongside your annual sweep, so the flue and the stove are both checked in the same visit.
What's included in a stove service?
We replace worn door and glass rope seals, clean the glass, check and clear the baffle or throat plate, replace cracked firebricks and free up and adjust the air controls and door catches. It's usually done with a sweep, smoke test and certificate.
Can you service any make of stove?
We service wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves. Parts like rope seals and firebricks vary between models, so we check your stove first and confirm the price with you before any work starts.
Do I need a sweep as well?
We recommend it. A clean flue is only half the job, and a serviced stove still needs a clear chimney to draw properly. Most customers have the sweep and the service done together in one visit.
How do I know if my rope seals are worn?
Look for rope that has gone flat, hard or frayed, smoke escaping round the door, or a fire you can't slow down with the vents shut. Try the paper test: close the door on a strip of paper, and if it slides out easily the seal isn't gripping.
Do you work on gas stoves?
No. Gas stoves need a Gas Safe registered engineer. We service wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves only.
Chimney advice from Sweep Sisters
Guides, prices and seasonal tips, pulled live from our blog.
Book your stove service
Tell us your town, what you burn and when suits you, and we will confirm a date and price.
- Phone0330 133 2121
- Areas coveredEssex and Hertfordshire
- HoursMon–Sun 8am–6pm · 24/7 emergency cover
Prefer to talk? Call 0330 133 2121 or email contact@sweepsisters.co.uk.