Chimney Services
Our approach to chimney sweeping in Geneva
What decides the method and the price of a chimney cleaning in Geneva.
Cleaning around the damper
The damper takes a steady coating of soot, and a thick layer can stop it closing fully or opening wide enough. Our sweeps clean the plate, the frame and the handle linkage so it moves freely again.
Once it is clean we check that it opens fully, closes to a reasonable seal and stays where it is set. A warped, rusted or broken damper is written up as a repair with its own price, since damper work is a separate service. A damper that seals well also keeps warm, damp outside air from drifting down into the house through a cold fireplace in the months you are not using it. If the handle is stiff, we look at the linkage first, since a careful cleaning often frees it.
Fireplaces that have not been used in a while
A fireplace that has sat cold for a few seasons is not necessarily clean inside. Leaves, nesting material, fallen mortar and old deposits can all collect in an unused flue, and a cap that went missing long ago lets rain in to mix with the soot.
Before the first fire in a long time, we clean the flue, clear the shelf and firebox and look at what the brush reaches. If the chimney is blocked or the lining is damaged, you hear about it before anyone strikes a match. It is a sensible first visit after moving into a house with a fireplace you know little about. Tell us roughly how long the fireplace has been idle, and we will allow time for a slower first cleaning.
Booking before the first cool evening
Chimney sweeps get busiest once the weather turns and many households want a fire at the same time. Booking the cleaning earlier, before the first cool evening, means an easier appointment and a fireplace that is ready when you want it.
An early visit also leaves time for any repair the cleaning uncovers, so a cracked tile or a broken damper does not keep the fireplace cold through the season. Same-day visits are available when the schedule allows, and whatever you book within 72 hours of the inspection is 10% off. If you already know your plans, ask about a visit a few weeks before you expect to use the fireplace.
