Every chimney which is in use needs to be swept. It’s the only way to ensure there is a safe passageway for dangerous gases to leave the house, and to stop a potential chimney fire

The frequency of sweeping depends on what appliance you have. But as a guide, it should be as follows:

Smokeless fuel:	At least once a year
Wood:	Quarterly when in use
Bituminous (house) coal:	Quarterly when in use
Oil:	Once a year
Gas:	Once a year