How to clear a blocked chimney

A blocked chimney is bad news. Not only can it impede the efficiency and performance of your fireplace, it can also be potentially dangerous.

Luckily, it’s easy to identify a blocked chimney and sort out the problem. And it’s equally easy to keep on top of your fireplace maintenance to reduce the likelihood of it happening in the first place. 

So, let’s explore what causes a blocked chimney and how to quickly solve the situation. 

What causes a blocked chimney?

A blocked chimney can be caused by a variety of factors: 

• It may be a case that, over time, creosote has built up from continued fireplace usage. If this is not cleared away by regular chimney sweeping, this can cause blockages and become a chimney fire risk – not to mention a health risk. 
• Another potential cause is debris, leaves and outside material falling into the chimney and becoming lodged there. Sometimes, even bricks from inside the chimney wall can become dislodged and cause blockages. 
• The final major cause of blockages is pests and birds either getting stuck in the chimney or building a home inside the flue. You might want to pop a cowl over the top of the chimney to reduce the likelihood of birds and other animals from entering the chimney. 

So now we’ve explored the causes, how can you tell if your chimney is blocked? 

Signs your chimney is blocked

Often, a blocked chimney can go unnoticed, which is why it’s very important to book a chimney inspection once or twice a year to identify any issues or blockages that are being missed. 

Sometimes there are signs that you can pick up on. For example, if smoke is filling your home when the fireplace is lit, this is pointing to a backup or blockage in the chimney. Smoke filling your interiors is dangerous to your health, so you should not use the fireplace until the problem is rectified. 

Other signs can be animal droppings, strange sounds from the chimney, water leakage, residue, strange odours, difficulty lighting a fire, debris in your fireplace, or anything else that doesn’t seem quite right. If in doubt, always get a professional fireplace company to take a look. 

How to clear a blocked chimney

It’s very difficult to clear a blocked chimney yourself successfully. It’s far more easy, safe and efficient to get a professional to perform this task for you. Here’s what you can expect to happen: 

• Very often, the professional company will carry out visual inspections and CCTV surveys, if needed, to identify the type of problem and its location in your chimney. Depending on the issue, sometimes all that will be required is a chimney sweep and a recommendation that this be carried out one or twice a year to prevent future problems. 
• Other times, birds, bricks, nests and debris may need to be removed, depending on the cause of the blockage. If interior damage has resulted as well, this may also require repair work, but a fireplace expert will advise you of whether this will be required or not. 
• Once the blockage has been removed, the fireplace professional may then recommend ways of preventing problems in the future, such as booking in regular chimney inspections and chimney sweeps to catch issues early on before they develop. 

At Enviro-Flame, we make it easy to keep on top of your fireplace maintenance to help you identify blockages and provide solutions to get rid of them. 

Searching for professional chimney sweeps, chimney inspections, and fireplace maintenance? Here at Enviro-Flame, we’re a leading fireplace expert for London and beyond. As well as supplying and installing a wide range of stunning fireplaces to suit all interiors, we also provide essential maintenance and repair services, including CCTV surveys to swiftly identify issues. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.