Professional Chimney Sweeping Services
Martin North provides professional chimney sweeping across South Oxfordshire and surrounding areas, including Witney, Oxford, Wantage, Bicester and Didcot, using both traditional and modern sweeping methods to suit different chimneys, flues, fireplaces and appliances.
A certified chimney sweep with professional training and experience gained through a family chimney sweeping business established in 2002, Martin combines traditional knowledge with modern equipment and techniques. Every sweep is carried out carefully and professionally, with the fireplace or appliance hoovered during the sweeping process to help keep your home clean and minimise soot and dust.
On completion, a Chimney Sweep Certificate is provided, together with straightforward advice about any issues identified with your chimney, flue or appliance.
Traditional & Modern Sweeping Methods
Different chimneys and appliances require different approaches. Martin is experienced in a range of traditional and modern chimney sweeping methods and will use the most appropriate equipment and technique for your chimney, flue or appliance.
Sweeping methods
Traditional brush sweeping
Modern power sweeping
Viper sweeping
Chimneys & appliances
Lined & unlined chimneys
Open fires & fireplaces
Wood-burning & multi-fuel stoves
Twin-wall flue systems
Whether your chimney requires a traditional brush sweep or modern rotary equipment, the aim is the same: to thoroughly remove soot and deposits, helping to keep your chimney clean and working efficiently while taking care to protect your home.
Chimney Maintenance & Additional Services
Chimney problems are not always solved by sweeping alone. Martin North Services offers additional chimney maintenance and diagnostic services to help identify blockages, damage and other potential problems with chimneys, flues, fireplaces and stoves.
Stove & Fireplace Maintenance
Martin can also carry out a range of minor stove and fireplace maintenance during a visit, including:
- Carbon monoxide alarm installation
- Wood-burning stove door rope replacement
- Fire cement repairs
- Heat-resistant silicone sealing
- Smoke alarm installation
CCTV Chimney Surveys
Recordable CCTV chimney surveys allow the inside of a chimney or flue to be inspected where a problem cannot be identified through a standard visual inspection.
Using specialist camera equipment, Martin can investigate suspected damage, obstructions, deterioration and other problems, providing a clearer picture of the condition of the chimney or flue and helping to identify the appropriate next steps.
Chimney Fault Finding
Problems such as poor chimney draw, smoke entering the room or an appliance not working as expected can indicate an issue with the chimney or flue.
Martin can investigate potential causes, identify problems where possible and provide straightforward advice on the appropriate next steps.
Bird Nest & Blockage Removal
Bird nests and other obstructions can restrict or completely block a chimney, preventing it from working safely and efficiently.
Martin can remove bird nests once birds have finished nesting, as well as investigate and remove other chimney blockages where possible.
Where specialist installation or more extensive repairs are required, Martin works with appropriately certified engineers.
Why Regular Chimney Sweeping Matters
Every time a fire or solid-fuel appliance is used, soot and other combustion deposits can build up inside the chimney or flue. Over time, soot, tar and creosote can restrict the flue, reduce its efficiency and increase the risk of a chimney fire.
Blockages or heavy deposits can also interfere with the safe escape of combustion gases, potentially allowing dangerous fumes, including carbon monoxide, to enter the property.
Regular chimney sweeping helps to:
Remove soot and combustible deposits
Reduce the risk of chimney fires
Keep the chimney and flue clear
Maintain an effective chimney draw
Identify potential problems
Help combustion gases escape safely
Regular sweeping is therefore an important part of keeping a working chimney, fireplace or solid-fuel appliance clean, efficient and safe to use.
How Often Should a Chimney Be Swept?
How frequently your chimney needs sweeping depends on the appliance, fuel being burned, frequency of use and the condition of the chimney or flue.
As a general rule, working chimneys should be inspected and swept regularly, with some fuels and appliances requiring more frequent sweeping than others.
If you’re unsure how often your chimney should be swept, Martin can advise you based on your fireplace or appliance, the fuel you use and how frequently it is used.
Chimney Sweep Prices
Standard Chimney Sweep
Manual, power or Viper chimney sweep for a lined burner or open fire in a two-storey property up to approximately 32–34 feet.
£75
2 Storey Advanced Chimney Sweep
Manual, power or Viper chimney sweep for a twin-wall log burner or Jetmaster in a two-storey property up to approximately 32–34 feet.
£85
3 Storey Advanced Chimney Sweep
Manual, power or Viper chimney sweep for a twin-wall log burner or Jetmaster in a three-storey property approximately 35–44 feet high.
£95
4 Storey Advanced Chimney Sweep
Manual, power or Viper chimney sweep for a twin-wall log burner or Jetmaster in a four-storey property approximately 45–52 feet high.
£115
5 Storey Advanced Chimney Sweep
Manual, power or Viper chimney sweep for a twin-wall log burner or Jetmaster in a five-storey property approximately 53–66 feet high.
£135
CCTV Chimney Survey
Camera survey of a chimney or flue.
£125
Inglenook / Unlined Burner Sweep
Manual or power sweep of an inglenook or unlined burner.
£125
Bird Nest / Blockage Removal
Removal of a bird nest outside the breeding season, trapped bird or other chimney blockage.
£125
Additional Charges
Weekend / Out of Hours
Added to the applicable chimney sweeping charge.
£35
Business / Letting Agent
Administration surcharge added to the applicable service charge.
£30
Unsuccessful Service Call
Call-out charge where Martin is unable to carry out the intended work at the property.
£55
Pricing Information
Prices are based on up to one hour’s work unless otherwise stated. If additional time is required due to the condition of the chimney or appliance, or because of an unforeseen problem, additional charges may apply.
An additional charge may also apply if a grate, fireplace or appliance needs to be cleaned before chimney sweeping can begin.
Payment for the booked service is required before the day of the sweep. If the work takes longer than one hour, any additional balance will be payable on the day.
Payment can be made by cash, BACS or card.
Preparing for Your Chimney Sweep
A little preparation before Martin arrives helps the appointment run smoothly and ensures the fireplace or appliance is ready for sweeping.
Before Your Appointment
Please make sure that:
- Fires and appliances have not been used for at least 24 hours before the appointment
- Agas and boilers have not been used for at least 48 hours
- Ash and loose debris have been removed from the fireplace or stove
- Approximately one square metre in front of the appliance is clear to provide a suitable working area
- Ornaments and easily damaged items have been removed from the mantelpiece and immediate work area
The fireplace and appliance must be completely cold before chimney sweeping can begin.
Certified, Professional & Fully Insured
Martin trained professionally at the Chimney Sweep Academy in Sudbury, Suffolk and comes from a family tradition of chimney sweeping.
Originally trained in traditional manual chimney sweeping, Martin has continued his professional development in modern power sweeping equipment and techniques, giving him the experience to choose the appropriate approach for different chimneys, flues, fireplaces and appliances.
Martin North Services is fully insured, providing a professional, friendly and dependable chimney sweeping service with care taken to protect your property and leave the working area clean and tidy.
Chimney, Stove & Fireplace Products
Martin North Services can also supply a selection of useful chimney, stove and fireplace products, including:
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Smoke alarms
- Chimney and flue cleaner
- Stove and grate polish
- Stove glass and hearth cleaner
- Magnetic stove thermometers
- Heat-powered stove fans
- Fire rope and adhesives
If you need a particular product, ask Martin when booking your chimney sweep to check availability.
Areas Covered
Martin North Services provides professional chimney sweeping across Witney, Oxford and surrounding areas, covering towns and villages throughout South Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas, including:
- Abingdon
- Bampton
- Bicester
- Brize Norton
- Buckland
- Bourton-on-the-Water
- Burford
- Caterton
- Charlbury
- Chipping Norton
- Cumnor
- Didcot
- Eynsham
- Faringdon
- Finstock
- Grove
- Kidlington
- Kingston Bagpuize
- Leafield
- Lechlade
- Long Hanborough
- Marcham
- Minster Lovell
- Oxford
- Shipton-under-Wychwood
- Standlake
- Stanford in the Vale
- Stanton Harcourt
- Stonesfield
- Stow-on-the-Wold
- Wantage
- Weston-on-the-Green
- Witney
- Woodstock
- Wootton
- Yarnton