Services
Chimney Sweeping & Woodburner Services in Crickhowell
Chimney sweeping, CCTV inspections and woodburner installation across Crickhowell and the surrounding villages, done properly and left clean.
Chimney Sweeping in Crickhowell
Rods and brushes through the flue to clear soot and creosote so your fire draws properly and burns safely.
What's included
- Full sweep with rods and brushes
- Soot and debris cleared from the flue
- Fireplace and hearth left clean
- Basic check for obstructions or damage
- Certificate on request
- Dust sheets down throughout
A sweep clears the flue of the soot and creosote that build up every time you burn wood or coal. I work the rods and brushes the full length of the chimney, checking as I go for anything blocking the flue - birds' nests, debris or a build-up that's heavier than normal. Everything comes down and out, not left to fall back once you light the fire.
I sheet up around the fireplace before I start so nothing goes on your carpets or furniture, and I clear away all the soot when I'm done. If I spot anything that needs more than a sweep - heavy creosote, a crack, a loose liner - I'll tell you plainly rather than just doing the sweep and moving on.
Woodburner Installation in Crickhowell
Stoves supplied and fitted, with the flue, hearth and clearances checked so the installation is safe to use.
What's included
- Advice on the right stove for your room
- Stove and flue liner supplied
- Hearth and clearance checks
- Existing chimney inspected before fitting
- Full installation and connection
- Explanation of how to run it safely
I start by talking through what you actually want from a stove - how much heat you need, what room it's going in, whether you want to see the fire or just want the output. From there I recommend a model that suits the space rather than whatever's easiest to sell, order in the stove and liner, and check the existing chimney or flue is right for it before any fitting starts.
On the day I fit the liner, connect the stove, and check the hearth and clearances are correct before I sign it off. If I find something along the way that isn't right - an old flue that needs relining, a hearth that's not deep enough - I'll sort it or explain exactly what needs doing and why, so there's nothing left half-done.
CCTV Flue Inspections in Crickhowell
A camera run up the flue to show cracks, blockages or damage you can't see by looking up the chimney.
What's included
- Camera survey of the full flue length
- Recorded footage of any damage
- Check for cracks and joint failures
- Blockage and obstruction check
- Findings explained in plain terms
- Recommendation on any follow-up work
A CCTV inspection puts a camera up the flue so you can actually see what's going on inside, rather than guessing. It picks up cracks, gaps in the joints, blockages and old repairs that a standard sweep can't show you - useful before buying a house, before fitting a new stove, or if you've had smoke coming back into the room.
I talk you through what the camera's showing as I go, and if there's damage or a blockage I'll explain what it means and what your options are. It's a straightforward check that tells you whether the flue is sound before you spend money relying on it.
Cre-away Creosote Removal in Crickhowell
A specialist treatment for heavily creosoted chimneys that standard rods and brushes can't shift.
What's included
- Cre-away treatment applied to the flue
- Breaks down glazed creosote deposits
- Used on heavily tarred chimneys
- Follow-up sweep to clear residue
- Check flue is clear afterwards
- Advice on preventing rebuild
Some chimneys build up creosote that's gone hard and glazed rather than just sooty, usually from burning unseasoned wood or a chimney that's not drawing well. Ordinary sweeping won't shift it, so I use a Cre-away treatment that breaks the deposit down so it can be swept out properly.
It's not something every chimney needs, but where creosote's built up to that point it's worth dealing with properly rather than leaving it, since a heavy build-up is a fire risk. Once it's treated I sweep the flue again to clear the residue and check it's running clean.
Cowl Fitting & Capping in Crickhowell
Bird guards, cowls and chimney caps fitted to stop rain, birds and debris getting into the flue.
What's included
- Bird guards fitted to the pot
- Rain cowls fitted where needed
- Chimney capping for unused flues
- Correct cowl chosen for the stove type
- Fixed securely to the pot or stack
- Checked for airflow once fitted
An open chimney pot lets in rain, birds and debris, and over time that causes blockages and damp. I fit bird guards and cowls matched to the flue and the type of stove or fire below, so it's protected without restricting the draw.
Where a chimney's no longer in use, I can cap it off properly so it's sealed against the weather while still allowing the stack to breathe. All fixed securely so nothing works loose in the wind.
Fire Rope & Glass Cleaning in Crickhowell
Fire rope replaced and glass cleaned so your stove seals properly and stays clear to look through.
What's included
- Old fire rope removed
- New rope fitted to door and seams
- Door seal checked for a tight fit
- Glass cleaned of soot and tar
- Check for any other worn seals
- Advice on keeping glass clear
The rope seal around a stove door wears and perishes over time, and once it does the stove draws air from the wrong place instead of through the vents, which affects how it burns and how much heat you get. I replace the rope and check the door's sealing properly against it.
While I'm there I'll clean the glass of built-up soot and tar so you can see the fire again, and check over the rest of the seals while the stove's open. Small job, but it makes a real difference to how the stove runs.
How It Works
Three steps, no pressure
1
Call or message
Tell Joe what you need - a sweep, a CCTV check, or a stove you're thinking about fitting. He'll ask enough to know what's involved.
2
Free quote
Joe gives you a fair price with nothing hidden, and if it's a stove install, talks through what will actually suit your room.
3
The work
Joe turns up when he's said he will, does the job properly, and leaves it clean and tidy - flagging anything he finds that needs sorting.