Two sweeps a year
The leaflet advises that the chimney of a thatched home should be swept twice a year, or quarterly if wood is burnt. Insurers ask for the same. In the Thatch Advice Centre's article on thatch insurance and fire safety, specialist brokers call for chimneys to be swept at least twice a year, and in its round up of the questions thatch insurers ask one insurer sets out when: once before winter use, and again in February or March.
When you book your autumn sweep, you can ask Karen to book the spring sweep at the same time.
A certificate for your insurer
A certificate is emailed to you after every sweep, ready to send to your insurer. The Thatch Advice Centre lists whether the chimney has been swept and certified by a qualified sweep recently among the questions thatch insurers ask, and the certificate is your answer.
When you book, tell Karen the roof is thatched.
How we sweep a thatched property
Rick is approved by the Thatch Advice Centre, HETAS qualified, a member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps and a chartered builder (MCIOB). On every sweep:
- Dust sheets are sealed to the fireplace opening.
- A HEPA filtered vacuum runs throughout.
- The flue is power swept or swept with traditional rods and brush, whichever suits it.
Why a thatched chimney needs more care
The Thatch Advice Centre's Fire Safety for Thatch leaflet, published on the Suffolk County Council website, says homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than homes with conventional roofs. The difference is what happens if one does: the leaflet says the results are often rapid, and that a fire in an unprotected property usually causes severe damage.
The same leaflet lists chimneys as the main cause of thatch fires. It describes the inside of a thatched roof as very dry, dusty and flammable, and notes that thatch burns at just over 200°C.
It also warns against burning wet or unseasoned wood, because it leaves greater tar deposits, which increase the fire hazard.
Price
Sweeping starts from around £75 per appliance, and the price is confirmed before the visit. CCTV inspections are priced once we have seen the chimney.
We are based in Great Barton and cover 30 miles around Bury St Edmunds.
Questions about thatched chimneys
How often should the chimney of a thatched home be swept?
Twice a year. Insurers quoted by the Thatch Advice Centre ask for one sweep before winter and another in February or March, and the Fire Safety for Thatch leaflet suggests quarterly if you burn wood.
Will I get a certificate for my insurer?
Yes. A certificate is emailed to you after every sweep, so you can send it straight to your insurer.
Can I book the autumn and spring sweeps together?
Yes. When you book your autumn sweep, ask Karen to book the spring sweep at the same time.
How much does it cost?
Sweeping starts from around £75 per appliance, and the price is confirmed before the visit. CCTV inspections are priced once we have seen the chimney.
Sources
- Fire Safety for Thatch, Thatch Advice Centre leaflet on the Suffolk County Council website
- Thatch Insurance, Fire Safety, Thatch Advice Centre
- Top 3 Questions asked by Specialist Thatch Insurers, Thatch Advice Centre
Call or message us
Call 01284 365 010, message us on WhatsApp, or use the form below.
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