MasterFlue Chimney Sweeps

21/04/2026

Spring is a great time to get your chimney checked and swept, always choose a NACS registered sweep - look out for the badge.
www.nacs.org.uk

26/03/2026

Birds Nests in Chimneys.

Birds view chimneys as a safe, sheltered place to nest, particularly during the breeding season from March to August. Unfortunately, bird nests in chimneys can cause serious safety and structural issues.

A blocked chimney prevents smoke and gases from escaping properly, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, chimney fires, and costly repairs. Bird nests in chimneys can worsen these risks, making regular maintenance crucial.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it ILLEGAL to remove or disturb a bird’s nest during nesting season(March to August) if it’s in use. Fines & Legal Consequences apply if an active nest is removed unlawfully.

If the nest is empty outside of breeding season, it can legally be removed.

If you suspect a nest inside your chimney, do not attempt to remove it yourself, MasterFlue Chimney Sweeps a shout and we can get it sorted, legally!

27/02/2026

06/02/2026

03/02/2026

Here at MasterFlue Chimney Sweeps we don't only sweep and clean your chimney but we service your appliance, replace fire bricks, renew rope seals and generally make your stove or fire look like new again. So if your stove or fire is looking a bit worse for wear after a heavy winters use, give us a call and book in a clean and service.
MasterFlue, for when a dirty flue just won't do.

02/02/2026

Here’s your February reminder as the colder evenings continue ❄️🔥
As we try to stay warm this winter, a few simple checks can make a big difference:

🔥 If you have a chimney or wood burner, it’s your responsibility to keep it maintained all year round. Chimneys that haven’t been swept can fill up with debris, so always make sure it’s safe before lighting a fire.

🕯️ Planning a cosy night with candles? Keep them well away from anything flammable, always use a sturdy holder, and never leave lit candles unattended.

🔥 If you're using a fireplace, a spark guard should always be in place, even if you think the fire has died down. Avoid drying clothes near open fires, and store wood, coal and other fuels well away from the heat.

30/01/2026

🔍 CCTV Chimney Surveys
Our CCTV inspections allow us to see inside your chimney and identify defects, blockages, or damage that can’t be seen from the outside.
All surveys are carried out in line with National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) standards for your peace of mind.

A CCTV chimney survey can identify:
✔ Cracked or damaged flue liners
✔ Blockages and nesting
✔ Tar and creosote build-up
✔ Structural defects

Find your local, professional sweep here www.nacs.org.uk

30/01/2026

Sadly another chimney fire attended by Kent fire and rescue service recently.

We are here to help keep your chimney clean and you safe.
Give us a call if you haven't had your chimney swept in a while or just want peace of mind that a professional sweep has cleaned your chimney.
Call today on 07496060152 and book that sweep.

Following a chimney fire in today, crews are reminding people to have their chimneys regularly swept, especially after long periods without use, as soot can build up.

One fire engine attended, and crews used specialist chimney equipment to extinguish the fire.

👉For more advice on chimneys and open fires, visit our website: www.kent.fire-uk.org/home-safety-advice

30/01/2026

Interesting article.

For the past 12 winters, Toby Walne's wood burner has kept his family warm - and helped to slash energy bills at their rural Hertfordshire home.

27/01/2026

🔥Nothing beats a real fire for warmth and atmosphere🔥

Did you know the benefits of getting your chimney swept:
• Removes soot and blockages that can cause chimney fires and carbon monoxide build-up
• Helps your fire burn better – improved airflow = better heat and less smoke emissions
• Reduces fire risk – built-up creosote is highly flammable
• Protects your home – prevents smoke damage and nasty chimney smells
• Saves money – a clean chimney is more efficient and cheaper to run
• Receive recognised certification often required for insurance purposes
• Gives peace of mind – so you can relax and enjoy your fire properly

Book a sweep with a NACS-approved professional and relax knowing your fire is in expert hands.

Find your local, trusted and professional sweep at www.nacs.org.uk

26/01/2026

What an amazing fact!
I wonder if they would like them swept?

HENRY VIII’S GREAT KITCHEN OF FIRE 🔥

Henry VIII’s kitchens at Hampton Court Palace were the largest and busiest in Tudor England, a vast food factory built to fuel one of the most powerful courts in Europe.

When Cardinal Wolsey first constructed the kitchens, they were already substantial, but when Henry seized Hampton Court in the 1520s he expanded them massively, creating a complex of more than 50 rooms.

Every day up to 200 cooks, sergeants, grooms, pages and assistants worked in this labyrinth of spaces, preparing more than 800 meals daily for the king’s hungry court. Without ovens or modern equipment, food was cooked in roaring hearths and bubbling cauldrons, and the kitchens burned through an astonishing 1.3 million logs every year just to keep the fires burning hot enough for roasting and boiling.

The layout of the kitchen reflected a highly organised system. Raw ingredients arrived at one end, were checked and stored in larders, then prepared in specialised rooms such as the Boiling House, Spicery, Pastry Room and Fish Court. Meat was roasted over six massive fireplace hearths in the Great Kitchen itself, while other dishes were prepared in adjacent rooms before being carried through the cloisters to the Serving Place for presentation.

Working conditions were extreme. Contemporary visitors described the kitchens as veritable hells, unbearably hot, crowded, and full of smoke and noise.

Scullions and kitchen staff laboured in heat so intense that Henry VIII once had to order his workers to wear better clothing rather than linger “in garments of such vileness” by the fire.

For centuries after Henry’s death, the kitchens remained in use, feeding Tudor, Stuart and Georgian households.