Across Munster
Chimney Sweeping
Every fire leaves soot and tar in the chimney, and over a season it builds up enough to narrow the flue, stop the fire drawing properly and, at worst, catch fire itself. A sweep before you start lighting fires for the winter clears it out, so the fire draws well and the smoke goes up the chimney instead of into the room. Open fires, stoves and range cookers all need it.
Get a free quoteWhat's included
The full job, not half of it.
- Sweeping for open fires, stoves and range cookers
- Dust sheets down and the fireplace sealed off so soot stays out of the room
- Soot bagged up and the hearth left clean
- A look at the fireplace, stove and visible flue for anything worth knowing about
- A reminder each year before the fire season, so you don't have to remember
- Bird nests removed outside the nesting season
Time to book if you've got
- Smoke coming back into the room when the fire is lit
- A fire that's hard to light or won't draw properly
- A smell of soot, especially in damp weather
- Black flakes or debris falling into the grate
- It's been more than a year since the last sweep, or you don't know when it was
How we do it
Step by step.
- 01
Prepare
Dust sheets down, the fireplace or stove sealed off, and the room protected.
- 02
Sweep
Brushes and rods worked up the flue from below to bring the soot and tar down.
- 03
Check
A look up the flue to make sure it's clear, and a look over the fireplace or stove.
- 04
Tidy
Soot bagged, the hearth cleaned, and a reminder set for next year.
Best time to book
Late summer or early autumn, before you light the first fire of the winter. September to December is when everyone books, so earlier is easier. If you burn wood or coal most days, a second sweep in spring is worth it.
Prices
Chimney Sweep prices
A price guide is coming to this page. Until then, quotes are free and there's no obligation.
- Open fire, one flue
- Price guide coming soon
- Stove or range cooker
- Price guide coming soon
- Each extra flue on the same visit
- Price guide coming soon
Good to know
Birds' nests
Jackdaws and other birds often nest in chimneys in spring. Nesting wild birds, their eggs and nests are protected under the Wildlife Acts, so a nest can only be removed outside the nesting season. For the current rules, see the National Parks and Wildlife Service at npws.ie.
If you can hear birds in the chimney, don't light the fire: a nest can block the flue completely. Book the sweep for once the season is over. A cowl or bird guard on the chimney pot helps stop them coming back.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide has no smell, taste or colour, and a blocked or dirty flue makes it more likely to build up in the room. Having the chimney swept is part of keeping it safe; so is a working carbon monoxide alarm.
A carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a fire, stove or range, tested regularly, is a sensible step for any home. Headaches, dizziness, nausea or tiredness that ease when you leave the house can be a warning sign. If you suspect carbon monoxide, open the windows, get everyone out and get medical help.
Burn dry fuel
Damp wood burns cool and smoky and leaves far more tar in the chimney, which is what builds up and causes chimney fires. Burning dry, well-seasoned wood keeps the flue cleaner between sweeps and gets more heat out of the fire.
Where
Chimney Sweeping near you
Guides
Chimney Sweeping: your questions
How often should a chimney be swept?
At least once a year, before the fire season starts. If you burn wood or coal most days through the winter, twice a year is commonly recommended: once before the season and once after it.
How much does a chimney sweep cost?
It depends on how many flues there are, whether it's an open fire, stove or range, and how easy the access is. A price guide is coming to this page; in the meantime quotes are free and there's no obligation.
Do you sweep stoves and range cookers?
Yes. Stoves and range cookers need sweeping as much as open fires, and often more, because a stove burns slower and can leave more tar in the flue.
Is chimney sweeping messy?
It shouldn't be. Dust sheets go down and the fireplace is sealed off before any sweeping starts, so the soot stays in the chimney and the bag, not in your room.
Can you remove a bird's nest from my chimney?
Only outside the bird nesting season. Nesting wild birds, their eggs and nests are protected under the Wildlife Acts. If you think birds are nesting in your chimney, don't light the fire, and book the sweep for once the season is over. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (npws.ie) has the rules.
Free quote
Right so. What needs doing?
Tell us what needs doing and we'll come back to you with a free, no-obligation quote. The person who quotes is the person who does the job. It takes about a minute.
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