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What Are Cowls? Ask a Chimney Sweep London
April 24, 2012It’s vitally important to maintain high standards at your home, and whilst you will undoubtedly take care and consideration updating the interior, you may overlook the exterior. One area of your property that many take for granted is their chimney; whether you have a wood burning fire or it’s simply there for aesthetic reasons, you should ensure that you call upon a professional chimney sweep London to properly maintain it. Here at AJ Coles- Chimneys Ltd, we pride ourselves on the first class, personal service we deliver to our customers. You can rest assured that, whatever your requirements, our team can help.
Whilst many people will be familiar with a chimney sweep and the areas that they work on, a cowl however is unfamiliar to many; read on as our expert team explain what this is, and how it benefits your home.
As your chimney is at the top of your property, it is open to all of the elements; both from the weather and any unwanted guests. The function of a cowl is to cover the top of your chimney and offer maximum protection. They are generally made from high grade materials to ensure they provide you with a long lasting, durable solution.
If your chimney is used on a regular basis, a cowl can also be utilised to provide sufficient ventilation for smoke and other fumes, ensuring that your home is always safe from any potentially harmful gases. Furthermore, they can also be used on non-functioning chimneys as an effective bird proofing method.
There are many different types of cowls available, and each one has its own unique features; however, our team will offer you professional advice and guidance to ensure you receive a solution that is perfect for your needs.
Contact us here at AJ Coles- Chimneys Ltd for a fully comprehensive service. As a leading chimney sweep London, we are confident that we have the perfect solution for you. To find out more, feel free to browse our website or alternatively call us on 0800 007 6940 today.
Posted in Chimney Sweeps News | Tagged chimney sweep London |Chimney Sweep London: “The Dangers of Neglect”
March 27, 2012Did you know that chimneys could be dangerous even when never used? This is where the chimney sweep London at A J Coles – Chimneys can help.
Most people don’t know what is happening with their chimneys, especially at the top. Or even which chimney pots are theirs.
When a chimney pot gets old, it starts to break down and becomes dangerous. There are two ways of seeing this. It will often lean over, because of the cement breaking down at the base, or crack, because of general wear and tear, caused by past chimney fires and exposure to the elements. Cement often ages faster than the clay pot it is meant to hold. These pots are often big, heavy and unstable. Over time, it becomes increasingly likely that it will fall (e.g. in a strong wind or when an inexperienced chimney sweep London sticks his brush up the flue) and cause serious damage to the roof/car/cat.
Afterwards, you might want to make a claim. However, if you don’t have a legal certificate stating that the chimney is safe to use, the insurance company is unlikely to pay out, as it is classified as ‘neglect’. This is why it’s important to have your chimney swept, checked and certified.
Follow this advice from your local chimney sweep London and be safe, be certified – even if you don’t use your chimney.
Posted in Chimney Sweeps News | Tagged chimney sweep London |Looking to the Top of Your Chimney
February 29, 2012This is the time of year when I, as chimney sweep London, start to see the first few birds flying to and dropping down chimney pots. It signals that I am soon to be busy with the removal of birds’ nests. This is hard and back-breaking work. There is an old saying, “prevention is better than cure”. What I’d prefer, and so would your chimney, is to come along with the correct cowl for your chimney, get up onto the roof and fit it. This stops all birds, squirrels, stale bread, twigs, rain and some unmentionables falling or being deposited with intent, down your chimney. It all kicks off now.
Here’s some stuff you may like to know. Squirrels can sometimes build a nest in your chimney. Its small, little more than a handful of twigs. Jackdaws are the main nest builders. Once they have chosen a chimney to build in, they will come back every year and build a new nest. These nests are not small – often one or two wheelbarrows full (or more) of twigs, moss and wool, all tightly woven together. A sad fact is that when the jackdaw has its young and they hatch out, they get to the point of flying and they have a huge problem. The parent birds, in their wisdom, build their nest about two to three metres down the chimney. The adult birds are well accomplished flyers, but not so their young. Often, not all chicks manage to fly vertically for two to three metres to freedom, and so die eventually of starvation or exhaustion in the nest. This then results in lots of flies in the house.
There is also a danger. If you have a gas fire in the fireplace of this chimney – packed tightly with jackdaw nest – the carbon monoxide from the gas fire when in use will come out into the house rather than go up the chimney. Just three per cent CO in the atmosphere will kill in just a few minutes. Without a CO alarm, you could be dead or very ill with no idea of the danger or cause.
Last, but not least, pigeons are the most common callers. They don’t nest in the chimney, they just accidentally fall down it and turn up in the fireplace. They look a lot bigger in your lounge than in the air or the garden. They are hard to catch and put outside. They can also cause a lot of damage to your room.
So, you see, capping and cowling is important. All the above, if you have an uncowled chimney, can affect you. And here, at A J Coles – chimneys Ltd, as a professional chimney sweep London, we would like to help.
Posted in Chimney Sweeps News | Tagged chimney sweep London |Clean and Service Your Chimney – Chimney Sweep
January 30, 2012Few homeowners consider the importance of ensuring their chimney remains in good condition as the consequences of not seeking professional cleaning and servicing of your chimney can be disastrous. Here at AJ Coles- Chimneys Ltd, we have a wealth of experience in the chimney trade and this experience can be used to carry out a professional sweep and service of your chimney. Read on as we discuss why it is vital that you arrange a regular chimney sweep London for your home.
Prevent Chimney Fires
If a chimney is regularly used, a great deal of soot can build up in the flue and as a result, over time the risk of a chimney fire significantly increases. Furthermore, chimneys that have no cowl attract birds and any nests that they make can easily cause a chimney fire. To combat the unwanted attention of birds on or around your property, consider seeking the assistance of specialists in bird control London.
Combat Carbon Monoxide Threat
If your chimney is not regularly swept, blockages can easily occur. Particularly with gas fires, a blocked chimney offers nowhere for harmful carbon monoxide fumes to escape and so these deadly fumes build up in your home which can be potentially fatal.
Insurance Claims
If you need to make a buildings insurance claim related in any way to your chimney, your insurance provider will most likely ask to see a valid chimney safety certificate which we can issue for you upon completion of a sweep or service by our specialists.
Here at AJ Coles- Chimneys Ltd, you can expect to receive a high standard of workmanship when you seek our assistance. If you are looking for a professional chimney sweep London from a highly experienced and fully qualified specialist, don’t hesitate to call us today on 0800 007 6940.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by AJ Coles- Chimneys Ltd. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of AJ Coles- Chimneys Ltd and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Posted in Chimney Sweeps News | Tagged chimney sweep London |Smoke Test Offer
January 9, 2012If you book a smoke integrity test, we will also sweep the chimney for free
Posted in Chimney Sweeps Offers |Register Plate Offer
January 9, 2012For every stove installed, we provide the register plate for free. Phone us to find out more …
Posted in Chimney Sweeps Offers |The Warmth of Stoves – Bringing Families Together
December 20, 2011When there’s frost on the windowsills, settling down in front of a warm and glowing stove is a great feeling. After all, a beautiful woodburning stove can provide a relaxing focal point in your home that is ideal for your friends and family to gather around to enjoy those special occasions such as a birthday or a national holiday like Christmas. Here at A J Coles – Chimneys Ltd we specialise in providing a variety of services including the installation of woodburning stoves London and chimney services.
Although we don’t supply stoves, we can offer advice and guidance on the best type of stove for your home and your needs. Once you have your chosen stove, our experienced team are then able to install it within 4-5 hours, leaving no mess and causing as little disruption to you as possible.
Closed Appliance
The benefit of using a closed appliance is that you are able to adjust the temperature in order for it to be set to your desired comfort level. They are safe to leave unattended and will help to reduce sooty smells and debris falling onto your carpet.
When you have your new stove installed and are enjoying a night in with your family, why not think about taking a photograph and investing in high quality picture framing to capture the magical moment so you can look back on it in years to come?
Contact us at A J Coles – Chimneys Ltd if you are looking at installing high quality stoves London, to create a focal point for your family to gather round whilst also adding extra warmth to your home. For more information on the services we offer, feel free to search our website or contact one of our team today on 0800 007 6940.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by A J Coles. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of A J Coles, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Posted in Chimney Sweeps News | Tagged stoves London |