Sooty Brushes

Sooty Brushes: certified chimney sweeping in Wiltshire

Sooty Brushes is a chimney sweeping service operating from Calne, in the English county of Wiltshire, covering a 30-minute radius around that town. The company presents itself as a specialist approved by HETAS, the British body that certifies professionals in the solid fuel and chimney sector.

The service is aimed at both private households and commercial clients. While domestic jobs are carried out within the usual coverage radius, commercial jobs are handled on request.

Coverage areas

The 30-minute service radius from Calne includes, according to the company's information, the following towns and their surrounding areas: Chippenham, Devizes, Melksham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Corsham, Marlborough, Pewsey, Lyneham, Brinkworth, Sutton Benger, Foxham, Bremhill, Lacock, Beanacre, Potterne, Cherhill, Dauntsey and Winterbourne Bassett, as well as smaller nearby villages.

Chimney sweeping services

The company recommends having your chimney swept at least once a year, and more often if it is used regularly. The service covers chimneys for open fires and wood burners, whether lined or unlined. Other appliances are also swept, such as Aga and Rayburn models. The company is happy to discuss each customer's specific requirements before arranging the visit.

Cre-Away treatment

Sooty Brushes applies the Cre-Away treatment, a creosote modifier. According to the company's description, this product acts on third-degree creosote by converting it into a more brittle state, with a different expansion and contraction rate than the flue it is attached to. During heating and cooling cycles, the treated creosote loses its adhesive properties and is easier to remove. The company warns that creosote and soot build-up in wood stove chimneys or domestic chimneys can be a fire hazard if not properly cleaned and maintained, and that all chimneys should be inspected or cleaned annually by a qualified chimney sweep.

Cowl fitting and repairs

Fitting a cowl is, according to the company, an important part of ensuring the chimney works properly and is well protected. A correctly fitted cowl prevents damp from coming down the chimney when it rains and stops birds from accessing the flue and nesting in it. In addition to cowl fitting, Sooty Brushes can repair or replace chimney stacks and pots, with a personalised quote for each case.

Customer reviews

The website includes testimonials from customers who highlight the cleanliness of the work, the absence of soot and dust in the room and the usefulness of the advice given. One of the reviews, dated October 2019, mentions the sweeping of a wood burner; another, from November 2019, praises the service and the price. The testimonials refer to the work of an operative named Luke.

Partners and tools

Among the brands and organisations the company cites as partners or suppliers are Trustpilot, Ecologi, HETAS, Snaplok, Rotary Power Sweep, Midtec Cowls, Hispec, Cre-Away, Square Payments, Sweep Certificates, Dura Flue and SIS. The company also states that it has written documentation available to customers.

Contact and bookings

The company handles enquiries by email and by phone, although it notes that it cannot always answer calls and recommends using the contact form on its website. The form asks for name, email address, postcode, phone number and type of fire (wood burner, open fire or other). At the time of registration, the company stated that it was taking bookings for the autumn-winter season and was in peak season.

Location and contact

Phone: 07727 018 813 · Email: sweep@sootybrushes.co.uk