10449 How to find a Chimney Sweep?

Hi

Violetta and I spoke about log fires, chimney sweeping etc. on the 'first snow of 2008' thread but I thought I would ask about chimney sweeps. Been here 5 years and not had it done yet and pretty sure it needs doing now.

How do they do it here?
How can I find a chimney sweep - south-east Tuscany

Thanks

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 03:00

This one seems to be the only one operating in your province:

[url=http://subbiano.paginegialle.it/toscana/subbiano/pulizia_caldaie_e_spazzacamini.html]Pulizia Caldaie E Spazzacamini Subbiano | PagineGialle.it[/url]

But ask for a "spazzacamino" in the bars and shops around you, there could be someone who does not advertise.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 03:08

As a holiday home, my place doesn't get a lot of use in Winter - and so the log fire isn't used that often.

I used a chimney log [as I didn't know how to get a Sweep]

[url=http://www.fluesystems.com/sundries/info/cleaning_log.htm]The Chimney Cleaning Log - Buy your chimney cleaning log on-line at fluesystems.com[/url]

- it seemed to work, as there was a fair amount of gunk in the grate afterwards.

.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 03:25

It all depends on how dirty the chimney is. Possibly, after 5 years, it would be safer to use the services of a chimney sweep, but for regular maintenance I have used the cleaning log and also a kind of sachet that you throw in the fire and produces a bright blue flame. Possibly you can get those in any large brico or hardware store. I vaguely remember seeing them last Xmas at Leroy Merlin (I Gigli) Campi Bisenzio, near Florence.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 03:32

Good point, Aretina. My odd job man suggested we might want to have the chimney swept this year and he said he'll do it for me. You know how enterprising these guys are, they can turn their hand to almost anything. What I fear though is the mess and am quietly resigned (or will perhaps use it as an excuse!) to having the kitchen repainted afterwards!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 05:32

I have had my chimneys swept and was very impressed at how clean and efficient it all was.

First they sealed the fireplace opening and then used an electric gismo, which scoured off all the soot and tar and hovered it up at the same time, No mess at all. And they managed to clear out a nest from one of the chimneys, which I don’t think a chimney log could do.

Both chimneys cleared for a little over €50, which I thought was pretty good as the two men were here for a couple of hours and did a good job, leaving everything clean and tidy.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/21/2008 - 06:24

Neilo's right but here in Umbria the price was double that to clean 2 fireplace chimneys and the woodstove flue last season. Actually we had been burning wood that must have been dodgy and the poor man had to use an iron ball on a chain and from outside thump it down the woodstove chimney which is lined with a stainless steal tube. I now burn compressed sawdust blocks in the stove and no more blockages. You need to find one soon as some sweeps are booked a year in advance. The ones from Yellow Pages charge a great deal more in our experience, so ask around locally, as suggested. A wipe with a damp cloth will clean the floor and surrounding area.