Chimney needs sweeping?

[Brum Lady]

I have just jumped out of my seat as a series of rumbles occurred and it sounded like something was falling down the chimney onto the metal plate at the back of our inbuilt gas fire. I've been outside and looked at the chimney, which still appears to be in one piece!

Presumably some brick or mortar has fallen down the chimney, and I was wondering how complicated it will be to get the fire out and have the chimney swept, it is one of those coal type fires.

Just having a cuppa to calm my nerves!

[Brum Lady]

Hiya Zacmaster,

Don't think it's a bird as I haven't heard any more noises. Suppose it could be snow, just that it sounded very loud.

[eltelioni]

It is not unusual for small bits of mortar and brick to fall down the chimney and gas fires are designed to allow for it. I recently removed a gas fire and there was an accumulation of sand-like stuff in a cavity behind the fire.

There is no need to sweep the chimney unless there is an accumulation of soot. Any soot should have been removed before the gas fire was fitted and the gas fire will not have caused any new soot to accumulate.

For peace of mind you could remove the fire and have a look. It is not difficult, but will require you to switch off the gas tap near the fire and disconnect the gas pipe. If you have never done this before, then I strongly recommend you find someone who has.

[Brum Lady]

Thanks, we'll decide what to do when my husband gets home!

[gucciman]

under no circumastances do you follow the advice above and remove your own gas fire, you call in a corgi registered gas engineer to do it properly and safely.

part of having your fire serviced includes an examination of the flue (chimney) so kill 2 bird with one stone and have yours serviced if its not been done in the last 12 months.

if you want us to do it we're in the yellow pages under west heath gas, i think were in the gas section and heating section, were also in the quick find directory and on the corgi website under the find a local engineer. we only cover the south side of the city though, say from moseley, to kings heath to kings norton, across to northfield, harbourne and halesowen and anywhere in between.
A service is �40 for a fire. if your chimney did need sweeping then they usually charge around �40 in brum.

[gucciman]

sorry i forgot to say, if you do ring us don't bother mentioning this website cos my dad answers the phone and he won't have a clue what your talking about!