ICS Chimney Sweeping Association

About the ICS

The ICS is a trade association for Chimney Sweeps, and was established in order to provide the industry with a benchmark for quality and safety.

All of our members are passionate, conscientious, and professional. Our sweeps are trained with the customer experience in mind, ensuring they offer the highest standard in all aspects of flues and appliances. Many offer repair work, regular sweeping, as well as installations.

Our Sweeps can call upon the support of an internationally recognised trade association. By selecting one of our members, you can rest assured your home or business flue will work efficiently while lowering the risk of fire. When an ICS member has swept and smoke draw tested your chimney, you will be issued with a Chimney Sweeping Certificate, which is a necessary compliance for your house insurance.

Our membership extends throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. All of our members have Public Liability Insurance and can provide references upon request. Customers wishing to locate a chimney sweep in their local area can be confident that we are experts in our profession, providing an excellent standard of service.

Why Sweep Your Chimney

Regular sweeping is vital in preventing blockages and removing soot. This prevents fires and allows deadly gases such as carbon monoxide to be safely vented through the chimney. Clean chimneys burn more efficiently, saving you money and helping to preserve the environment.

How Often Should I Sweep My Chimney?

Smokeless Coals: Once a year Wood: Twice a year when in use Bituminous Coal: Twice a year Oil: Once a year Gas: Once a year Thatched Roofs: Twice a year

Why Choose an ICS Sweep?

If you hire an ICS Sweep, you can be confident that you will receive a professional, courteous and conscientious service from a trained person, with the backing of a professional body.

Chimney Sweep Best Practices

What your Chimney Sweep should be doing.

If you have a regular Chimney Sweep, you may sometimes wonder whether he or she is doing a good job. The nature of the work means it is often difficult to know what is actually going on up there.

This is a guide to some of the basic principles your Chimney Sweep should follow to protect your home from falling soot and ensure your flue is cleaned to a good standard with no obstructions.

The sweep should take between 45 minutes and 1 hour as a minimum. Anything less may mean corners are being cut and the sweep is incomplete.

Sheeting up takes around 15 minutes or longer depending on the circumstances. Your sweep must take precautions to protect your home—this includes floor sheets and runners from the front door to the fire, and protective sheeting over the stove or open fire area. This prevents any soot from escaping due to accidental spills.

The vacuum used must be an industrial model with a HEPA filter. “Do not accept a Henry vacuum” or any domestic vacuum. These cannot filter microscopic particles effectively, which can then circulate in your home, causing potential respiratory harm.

The Sweep should confirm the brush has exited the chimney pot. For extra assurance, it’s a good idea for you to visually confirm this too. This helps ensure the entire flue system has been swept.

After sweeping, a smoke draw test must be conducted to measure airflow through the flue. Good airflow ensures a well-functioning fire. Poor draw may affect fire performance, though atmospheric conditions can also play a role.

Accounting for time spent sheeting up (15 mins), sweeping (10–15 mins), clearing up, and issuing a certificate—anything under 45 minutes should be considered insufficient.

FAQs

How much should a Chimney Sweep cost?

The average cost of a Sweep will depend on your location. Modern-day sweeps are extremely professional with up-to-date equipment and insurance. A general sweep should last between 45 minutes and 1 hour, costing between £55 - £65. Please note, this typically applies to regularly maintained flues.

Does a Chimney Sweep leave a mess?

Modern Chimney Sweeps use equipment designed to contain soot, so you should expect minimal disruption. Soot is a very fine substance, but 99% containment is typical under normal conditions.

Should a Chimney Sweep use a Vacuum?

All professional sweeps use industrial-type vacuums for debris containment and cleanup. However, a vacuum should not be used to clean the flue directly.

Do Chimney Cleaning Logs work?

Chimney cleaning logs should only be used alongside professional sweeping. They do not remove soot or creosote on their own.

How often should I have my chimney swept?

This depends on usage. Consult your sweep for recommendations. In general, once a year is the minimum. Insurance policies and property types (like thatched roofs) may require more frequent sweeping.

Do I need my Oil/Gas flue swept?

Yes, all flues need to be cleaned regardless of the fuel. Oil and gas flues can still clog and pose a carbon monoxide risk.

How do I know the Chimney Sweep has swept the whole flue?

Professional sweeps should always clean the full flue. Ask to see the brush exit the chimney pot at roof level to verify full sweeping.

My flue appears to have a bird’s nest — can it be removed?

Live nests are protected by law and cannot be removed during nesting season, typically February to August. This may vary slightly depending on the species.

Do I need a HETAS approved sweep?

No. HETAS is not a government body. Their Approved Chimney Sweeping Scheme is a private certification. You are not legally required to use a HETAS-approved sweep.

Which Wood Should I Burn?

As Chimney Sweeps we often get asked, “Which wood should I burn in my stove?”

It’s not such a silly question—all wood burns, so on the face of it the answer should be “any”, right? However, while all wood burns, they burn at different speeds and temperatures depending on their density. This impacts heat output and cost efficiency.

Slow-burning woods might produce less heat, making it seem like your stove isn’t drawing well. Fast-burning woods give stronger flames and more heat but burn faster, increasing consumption.

Our advice? Mix both types. Below is a guide to common types of firewood.

✅ All wood should be seasoned for at least 24 months.

🚫 Never burn wood with a moisture content above 20%.

❌ Avoid wood sold in plastic bags or stored in garages open to the elements.

Apple: Burns slowly with moderate heat and a nice flame.
Ash: Burns fast with excellent heat output.
Beech: Similar burn to Ash.
Birch: Quick burning with strong heat output.
Horse Chestnut: Strong flame and good heat.
Chestnut: Produces a small flame and weak heat.
Oak: Burns very slowly with low to moderate heat.

Cedar: Good heat and burn quality.
Sycamore: Good flame and moderate heat.
Rowan: Burns hot and slow.
Plum: Good heat with a nice scent.
Pine: Good flame and heat, but can spit.
Pear: Good heat and scent, no spitting.
Maple: Excellent all-around firewood.
Hawthorn: Burns hot and slow, very good firewood.

Find an ICS Member

British Federation of Chimney Sweeps

Membership

Burn Better