If Dick Van Dyke Makes You Think of a Chimney Sweep, Wait Until We Arrive in Heathfield!

Mention that you need a chimney sweep and there is a good chance you will automatically think of Dick Van Dyke, rooftops in London and an alarming amount of soot as well as Bert chirping along to one of the songs from the twee, but much-loved, Mary Poppins movie. Released in 1964 and watched by generations, Bert is the character Dick played.

It is a memorable image.

It is also, thankfully, not a particularly accurate picture of how a modern chimney sweeping company runs. And we certainly don’t send up children with a brush because that would be a massive safety issue!

Swept Away Installations offers a modern chimney sweeping service in Heathfield and uses a practical, professional approach designed with modern homes and modern heating appliances in mind. Customers prefer us not to burst into song halfway through the job much of the time!

Chimney Sweeping Has Moved On

The basic purpose of chimney sweeping has not changed.

A chimney still needs to be kept clear so smoke and combustion gases can travel safely through the flue.

The way the work is approached, however, has come a long way.

A modern chimney sweep will carry out each job carefully, containing dust and soot where possible, and checking the chimney for anything that affects its performance. The idea is to leave you with a clean flue, useful information about its condition and less evidence that our team have been into, or around, your Heathfield home.

No soot-covered faces are required.

Why Have a Chimney Swept?

Every time you use your fuel-burning appliances, deposits will build up inside the chimney or flue. The amount will vary according to the fuel, the appliance and how often you use it. It is not something a homeowner should simply forget about, otherwise the problems start.

A professional chimney sweep can help remove soot and other deposits whilst also identifying obvious problems and possible obstructions.

Observations might include:

Excessive soot deposits
Debris in the flue
Evidence of nests

Chimney restrictions
Maintenance is required

Modern chimney sweeping, therefore, does more than make the interior of the flue look tidier. It forms an important part of looking after the appliance, caring for chimney systems in Heathfield as a whole.

A Different Kind of Chimney Sweep

One reason the traditional image of a chimney sweep has stuck around for so long is because sweeping used to be associated with mess.

Modern customers reasonably expect something different.

At Swept Away Installations, care is used to keep disruption to only a minimum level and to carry out the work in a controlled manner. We take protective measures and use modern equipment to contain soot if the flue is being swept.

So, while a Victorian chimney sweep may have left enough soot behind to justify redecorating a sitting room, this is not a standard that anyone should be aiming for today, least of all a business with as good a reputation as our own.

Chimney Sweeping for Homes in Heathfield

Properties in Heathfield include everything from older builds with a traditional chimney stack to modern homes with the latest in multi-fuel or wood-burning appliances. This means chimney sweeping should never be treated as an identical job from one property to the next.

The flue arrangement, appliance and condition of the chimney matter.

Swept Away Installations can assess what is in front of us and carry out the work accordingly. If we notice something that needs further attention, we advise you rather than simply sweeping the chimney and disappearing over the nearest rooftop!

Keeping the Tradition but Losing the Stereotype

There is something reassuringly traditional about bringing a chimney sweep into the home and we are quite happy for Dick Van Dyke to keep the cinematic version for himself.

For homeowners in Heathfield, however, the reality is altogether and thankfully much more straightforward; professional equipment is used and careful working methods are upheld. Services focus on keeping a chimney clear and ensuring your property is functioning properly.

If your chimney is due for a sweep, contact Swept Away Installations to arrange a visit or to discuss your requirements with our team. If you would like to browse through our blog posts for advice about our other maintenance and repair services, please feel free to do so.

All together now...