CHIMNEY SWEEPING

We recommend getting your chimney swept every 12 months. A regular sweep helps to remove soot, birds nest and blockages which in turn will improve the airflow and efficiency of your appliance. Without regular maintenance, there is an increased risk of chimney fires, structural damage and exposure to dangerous gases such as Carbon Monoxide. When your annual sweep is due, we will send you a reminder to get it booked in.

Our team are HETAS registered so when we come to sweep your chimney, we will also check your appliance and flue. We will issue you a Chimney Sweep Certificate which most insurance companies now require for their policies. Safety is paramount to us & we pride ourselves on giving you peace of mind that your appliance is not only clean but also safe.

STOVE & FIREPLACE INSTALLATIONS

Our skilled team of HETAS Engineers are fully qualified to guarantee that your appliance is installed correctly and safely. We provide a professional, friendly service and will do our upmost to ensure a positive customer experience. 

From traditional to more contemporary designs, we offer a range of multifuel and wood-burning stoves, hearths, fire surrounds and non-combustible beams to choose from. Check out our online catalogue for the manufacturers we stock, or pop into our showroom to see the collection that we have on display.

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See our gallery for some our previous projects and our testimonials pages for reviews from our clients. 

SERVICING & MAINTANENCE

We recommend that your stove is serviced annually; this is especially important during periods of heavy use. When we come to service your stove we will strip, inspect and clean the appliance to ensure that the glass, rope, fire bricks and body work of the stove have not been compromised.  If there are any parts that show excessive wear, we will replace where necessary.

As part of the service, we will also check that your carbon monoxide alarm is working correctly. CO is an invisible, odourless gas that can be fatal if undetected. If you do not have a carbon monoxide alarm, we always carry spares with us so we can install them whilst we are with you.

Although we stock a vast range of replacement components, sometimes specific pieces have to be ordered in from the manufacturer. If you know certain parts of your stove need replacing prior to the service, please drop us an email with photographs and appliance information so we can ensure we’ve got it all ready for your appointment.

COWLS & CHIMNEY POTS

Cowls are used to combat many issues from protecting your chimney from pesky birds to preventing downdrafts. We can supply cowls for a multitude of different problems as well as in a range of designs and finishes. All the bird guards and anti-downdraft cowls we stock are 100% stainless steel to resist the corrosive sea air we get in the South Hams.

We can also supply and fit new and reclaimed chimney pots, as well as carry out various chimney repairs.

CHIMNEY SYSTEMS & LINERS

If a chimney is not lined, over time hot smoke, tars and acids can eat into the chimney walls and erode mortar. This can cause staining to the brickwork and leakage of dangerous fumes into your home.  In this case, a liner can be assembled inside your chimney to ensure maximum safety and also increase the efficiency of your appliance.

Our team of qualified engineers can undertake the relevant tests to identify if your flue would benefit from having a liner. If your chimney does require a liner, we will carry out the installation using our 904 grade stainless steel flexible flue liners; these carry a 35 year warranty.

Some buildings may not have a structural chimney to run a liner through, in this case a twin wall rigid structure chimney system can be used. These allow you to build pipe work either through a house or out of an external wall and up the side of the property. Twin Wall chimney systems are made from stainless steel tubes packed with thick mineral wool insulation and carry a 10 year warranty.

LANDLORD & HOMEOWNER SAFETY RECORDS

We offer annual chimney and appliance safety checks for landlords and homeowners. By law, every rental property and holiday home requires their appliances to be up to current building regulations for the safety of the tenants. On completion of our survey, we issue a three part certificate - a copy for the landlord, one for the tenant and one for our own records. Our safety checks are a great way to get your appliance swept and checked over by a professional HETAS engineer to ensure all is working correctly.

When we do an annual safety record check, we will investigate and carry out the following -  ​

• Chimney Sweep

• Smoke Pressure Test

• Flue Draught Reading

• Defects and Remedial Actions

• Ventilation Requirements

• Safety Device Locations

CCTV INSPECTIONS

CCTV inspections can be used to diagnose a variety of different problems in a chimney or flue. We use an infrared camera to give us an image inside the chimney system to investigate where issues may be arising.
From establishing a blockage to locating smoke leaks, checking for damage or to scrutinize the integrity of a liner – CCTV inspections are an essential tool to survey inside chimneys and liners without having to dismantle the entire system.

RESTORATION & LISTED BUILDINGS​

From over 30 years within the fire and stove industry, we have extensive knowledge and experience for the maintenance and restoration of fireplaces in old and listed buildings. We understand the special care that is required for original stone surrounds and cast iron inserts and can offer expert workmanship to conserve them.

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If you are looking to add a period surround or fireplace into your home, we occasionally have antique pieces in stock. Drop us an email and we can let you know what we have available. 

BIRD NEST REMOVAL

Having bird nests in your chimney can cause serious problems. If left untreated, the nests can end up completely blocking your flue. This not only prevents the combustion gases from venting but can also create a real risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, both of which can be fatal. Along with this, bird droppings carry dangerous bacteria which can cause disease.

We offer a bird nest removal service and have the latest equipment specially designed to get the nests out as safely and as quickly as possible. However, it is illegal to remove any live nests during the nesting period (March – September), so it is vital that you contact us as soon as you see any signs of nesting. If we catch them early, we can remove the nests and bird proof you flue from any future roosts.

PRESSURE TESTS

Pressure tests can be used to check how safe your chimney is. Older properties are prone to leaky chimneys due to years of corrosive soot on the inside and particularly here in the South Hams, they are exposed to all the elements and salty sea air on the outside. This can lead to the mortar of the flue becoming lose and in some cases the entire chimney to end up structurally unstable. 9 out of 10 times, these issues are not noticed by a standard building survey carried out when buying a property.

A pressure test involves capping both ends of the chimney, then filling the flue with smoke. This is to establish if and where any leaks may be in the flue area. A pressure test should be done whenever an open fire is going to be re-commissioned or to assess a working open fire if you have recently bought a house.

CREOSOTE & TAR REMOVAL

Creosote and tar building up is caused by burning the wrong or damp fuel. This tar is highly combustible and very difficult to remove. Most of the time standard chimney sweep brushes or even a power sweep struggle to remove it.

We offer a powder spray application that once activated will help to break down the tar and allow it to be more easily removed. In some cases when a flue has a heavy coating of creosote, multiple applications may be needed to successfully clean the chimney.