Carbon monoxide and your chimney: what every home should know
It's called the silent killer for a reason — you can't see it, smell it or taste it. And one of its most common causes is a chimney that hasn't been looked after.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever fuel doesn't burn completely. In a home with an open fire, stove or boiler, the chimney's job is to carry those gases safely outside. When the flue is blocked, restricted or damaged, that escape route fails — and CO can build up in the room you're sitting in.
Why a chimney is a common cause
A flue doesn't have to be fully blocked to be dangerous. A partial blockage from soot, a fallen bird's nest, a cracked liner or a poor draught can all stop combustion gases venting properly. The fire might look perfectly normal while CO quietly accumulates.
- Soot and creosote build-up narrowing the flue
- Bird nests or debris causing a blockage
- Cracked or failed flue liners letting gases leak
- Poor draught pulling gases back into the room
Know the symptoms
CO poisoning is often mistaken for flu or tiredness, which is part of what makes it so dangerous. Watch for headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, confusion and tiredness — especially if symptoms ease when you leave the house and return when you're home near the fire.
If you suspect CO: get everyone out into fresh air, don't use the appliance, and call for help. Then have the chimney professionally inspected before it's used again.
How to protect your home
The good news is that protection is simple and inexpensive:
- Fit a CO alarm in every room with a fuel-burning appliance, and test it regularly. This is your last line of defence.
- Sweep regularly — a clear flue vents properly. How often depends on your fuel, but never skip a season.
- Get a CCTV inspection if you've had a chimney fire, bought a new home, or aren't sure of the flue's condition.
- Never block air vents that supply your fire with the air it needs to burn cleanly.
- Use a registered sweep who'll spot the warning signs a quick clean might miss.
Peace of mind is one visit away
A sweep, a CCTV check and an honest assessment of your flue's condition. That's all it takes to know your chimney is venting safely. Book online or call 07364 137009.
The standard we hold
Carbon monoxide is exactly the kind of invisible risk that a thorough, methodical approach is built to catch. On every visit we sweep properly, look for the signs, and tell you honestly what we find. Because when it comes to your family breathing safely, "good enough" was never going to cut it.