Wendy the Sweep

30/10/2026

🔥 There’s no better than a returning ! 🔥

⭐️ One of the best ways to know whether you’re doing a good job is when customers invite you back year after year.

💟 It’s always a real pleasure to revisit familiar faces, catch up over a cuppa and make sure their fireplace or stove is ready for another season of cosy evenings.

🎩 At Wendy the Sweep, I pride myself on providing a professional, friendly and diligent service.

⭐️ As a registered of the The National Association of Chimney Sweeps, I’ve undertaken professional training and assessment, that gives my customers added reassurance that their chimney is in knowledgeable, competent hands. It’s more than simply sweeping a chimney; it’s about understanding what I’m looking at, identifying potential issues and offering practical advice to help customers enjoy their fires safely.

🎩 Stoves, just like everything else, need a little TLC. From checking fire bricks and rope seals to making sure we’re burning the right fuel, a little attention goes a long way.

A huge thank you to all my customers who welcome me back into their homes. Your continued trust and support mean a great so very much to me.

With heart and heritage.

29/10/2026

🍻🔥 A proper pub, a proper fire, and a proper pint!

This week, I visited a belting traditional pub in a little village on the edge of Bingley.

🍺 The landlord wanted the reassurance that their two open fires and two stoves were all shipshape and ready for winter, so customers could settle in, enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire and savour a fireside, hand-pulled pint.

🔥 Whether your stove or open fire is at home or in the workplace, an annual chimney sweep is an essential part of keeping your fire burning brightly and safely.

Because there’s something rather special about a traditional pub, a warming fire and a bit of Yorkshire hospitality.

🎩⭐️🔥

Wendy the Sweep
with heart and heritage.

27/10/2026

🔥 More than just a sweep… 🔥

Ah, the mighty Blithfield 5 multistove, tucked away in a quaint terraced house in Nelson! 🏡

This British-engineered beauty was only a couple of years into its life with its Lancashire owners, and it was lovely to see a stove that had clearly been so well cared for. ❤️

With the women’s football on the telly in the background, I enjoyed a good old natter with the homeowners as I got to work.

Our conversation wandered from the science of pyrolysis (how materials break down when heated) to project management and amateur football. ⚽🔥

And that’s one of the things I love about being Wendy the Sweep. Every home is different, every stove has its own story, and every visit brings the opportunity to share a little knowledge, learn something new and meet lovely people along the way.

Of course, the most important part of my visit is making sure your chimney and appliance receive the care and attention they deserve, helping you enjoy your fire with greater peace of mind.

But a friendly chat, a shared interest and a bit of Lancashire warmth? They’re all part of the service, too. 😊

Because it’s always more than just a sweep.

🧹 With heart and heritage.
🏡 Proudly serving homes across Pendle and the surrounding valleys.

26/10/2026

⚠️ Remember safety first when disposing of the ashes from your home fire

How do you dispose of the embers when you put out your log burner?

Crews were called to this house in West Mersea today after neighbours saw smoke.

Embers from a log burner had been put in a wooden container and started a fire.

Crews extinguished the fire and cleared the smoke, which had filled the property.

Watch Manager Dave Farrant said: "When you put out your log burner, make sure embers are completely cool and put them in a fireproof container.

"We'd like to praise neighbours for calling 999 as the occupants were out when the fire started."

23/10/2026

Your local registered sweep … Wendy the Sweep, at your service - keeping your home fires burning brightly and burning safely!

Serving Pendle and the surrounding areas 🎩

🍂🔥Cosy nights start with a clean chimney!

As the autumn evenings draw in, now is the time to make sure your chimney and appliance are ready.

Whether you use a gas fire, an oil-fuelled appliance, or a wood burner, keeping your chimney and flue properly maintained is an important part of home safety.

✅ Book your chimney sweep today
✅ Receive your NACS certificate of sweeping – necessary for home insurance
✅ Receive helpful advice on best burning practices

🏡 Don't wait – book today!

Find your local expert sweep here: www.nacs.org.uk
Tel: 01785 336555
Email: [email protected]

22/10/2026

🔥 The 100 multistove — a little bit of everything I love about chimney sweeping!

❓Could it be the knowledge that this stove was designed locally in by a family firm who still take such pride in their products?

🇬🇧 Could it be that ESSE continues to proudly manufacture stoves right here in Great Britain?

❓Could it be the thoughtful design that makes the ESSE 100 straightforward to dismantle, sweep and rebuild — showing real consideration for maintenance long after the stove has left the factory?

❓ Or could it be the beauty of watching the smoke swirl around the stove and curl over the throat plate? It’s a little detail that makes me smile every time I get to sweep one of these.

And then there’s the satisfaction of seeing the signs of a well-looked-after stove and flue.

✅ The owners of this particular ESSE had chosen a HETAS-registered installer and burn quality kiln-dried logs. As I swept the flue using my rotary head and rods, the light, powdery soot was another reassuring sign of good fuel and combustion practices.

I think it was a little bit of all the above!

🐾 And, of course, a special mention must go to the family dog, who popped over for a curious inspection as I set up my workstation.

⭐️ I know chimney sweeping might seem an unusual vocational choice to some, but there’s something genuinely special about taking pride in your craft, understanding the engineering behind the appliance and knowing you’ve done your very best for the people who trust you in their homes.

For me, it’s about craftsmanship, care, safety and keeping those home fires burning bright.

💟 And when you enjoy doing it as much as I do? Well, that’s the icing on the cake.

🎩 Wendy the Sweep

With heart and heritage.

21/10/2026

🔥 To line, or not to line? Let’s talk about flue liners!

When it comes to wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves, the chimney behind the scenes is just as important as the appliance in your living room.

A correctly specified and professionally installed flue liner can offer some real benefits for both the homeowner and the chimney sweep.

🏡 The benefits for you as a homeowner

✅ Improved safety – a suitable liner provides a continuous flue passage, helping to safely contain combustion gases and reducing the risk of gases escaping through defects in the chimney structure.

✅ Better performance – the right liner helps establish suitable flue conditions for your appliance, supporting effective draw and efficient combustion when correctly installed and used.

✅ Protection for your chimney – a liner helps protect the existing chimney fabric from the heat and corrosive by-products of combustion.

✅ Easier maintenance – a suitable, accessible flue can make routine sweeping and inspection more straightforward.

✅ Peace of mind – knowing your appliance and flue system have been properly assessed, installed and maintained helps you enjoy those cosy fires with greater confidence.

🧹 And what about the chimney sweep?

A correctly installed liner can make a real difference to the quality of the maintenance service I can provide.

✔️ A more clearly defined flue route to inspect and maintain.

✔️ Better access for suitable sweeping equipment, depending on the liner design and installation.

✔️ The opportunity to assess the liner’s condition for visible damage, deterioration or deposits during routine maintenance.

✔️ A more predictable sweeping process when the liner is correctly installed and accessible.

But here’s the important bit…

Not every chimney automatically needs a liner, and fitting one isn’t a substitute for proper inspection. The condition of the existing chimney, the appliance manufacturer’s requirements, the fuel being used and the relevant installation standards all matter.

A liner must be suitable for the appliance and fuel, correctly installed and maintained. Even a lined flue can accumulate soot and tar, so regular sweeping and inspection remain essential.

At Wendy the Sweep, I believe good chimney care starts with understanding the whole system – not simply sweeping away the soot.

Because your home’s safety deserves more than a clean chimney. ❤️

📍 Serving homes across Pendle, Ribble, Calder and Aire valleys.

🔥 With heart and heritage.

21/10/2026

🔥 A little TLC for a Victorian open fire in a fabulous stone fireplace! 🏡

⭐ This lovely open fire received some Wendy the Sweep TLC with a traditional manual sweep.

🏠 Being an older Victorian building, the chimney was particularly tall and certainly put my rods to the test — taking all but one of them! But the important thing is that I was able to carry out the necessary checks and give the new homeowners reassurance about their open fire.

We also chatted about how to light the fire correctly and the importance of gently warming the chimney before lighting, to help clear what’s known as a cold plug.

🌬️ So, what exactly is a cold plug?

A cold plug is a pocket of cold air sitting inside the chimney or flue. Because cold air is denser than warm air, it can prevent the natural upward flow of air that we rely on for a good chimney draught.

When you first light an open fire, this can sometimes cause smoke to spill back into the room rather than travelling up the chimney where it belongs.

Gently warming the flue before lighting your fire can help establish the upward draught and encourage the smoke to travel in the right direction. Always follow the appliance manufacturer’s lighting instructions, and never use petrol, methylated spirits or other flammable liquids to get a fire going.

📜 I completed a NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping for the homeowners to keep with their property records, and we booked their next annual sweep to help keep everything in good order.

A clean chimney, good advice and a little peace of mind — all part of the service.

💟 With heart and heritage.

🎩 Wendy the Sweep
✅ NACS registered chimney sweep

20/10/2026

🔥 A clean sweep and peace of mind in Colne!

I recently visited a family home in Colne to sweep this multi-stove installation, beautifully set into a fabulously crafted stone fireplace.

Having moved into the property earlier this year, the owners wanted reassurance that their stove was safe to use. They did exactly the right thing by arranging a professional sweep before settling into the burning season.

During the sweep, chunks of creosote came away from inside the flue liner. These hard, often glossy deposits can indicate a history of burning unsuitable fuels or poor combustion. Left to accumulate, creosote can create a serious fire hazard, increasing the risk of a chimney fire.

It’s a reminder that some of the most important safety issues are hidden away, out of sight, until a professional inspection brings them to light.

I gave the flue an additional sweep to remove the stubborn deposits and shared some practical tips on safe burning.

The good news? My customers had already invested in kiln-dried logs, so they’re taking positive steps towards a cleaner, safer and more efficient burning season. 🍂🪵

With heart and heritage, I’m here to help you enjoy your fire with confidence.

🏡 Wendy the Sweep | NACS Registered Chimney Sweep

📍 Serving Colne and the surrounding Pendle area