Does anyone sweep there own chimney?

Its getting to that time of year where we will be having the open fire lit of an evening so ive decided to clean the chimney
Last year we payed a so called proffesional sweep £50 to do it and i dont think he did a proper job as he was only here 20 mins from start to finsh.
Ive decided to buy the rods and a brush and give it a go myself as it will save cash in the long run.
Does anyone have any tips,suggestions etc?
Is it worth buying one of those chemical logs to burn that soften the build up before sweeping?

 

25 quid round here. Might try and do it myself though, doesn't seem that hard really.

 

Use children to clean it. They are cheap and there are plenty out there but just don't use the fat ones.

 

as kids we had a coal fire and my dad tried to set it on fire once to burn the soot off..........never did like him he was a cock and still is.

 

Cheers malc
Ill give it a go myself then and hopefully not cock it up

 

You could always get in a cock-er-ney.

 

Wish i had a open fire, i miss it in winter, instead i have a crappy Electric fire that dont get used, and use's loads of elec to just have the look of fire, and when u turn it on sounds like a jet engine....

 

We sent eight year old kids up round here still

 

no cos we aint got one

 

Its only the last year i havnt but up until then I did. I only get it swep now cos he does it for a haircut from Shell

Blanket with slit is the answer cos you get oooooodles of soot.

Always keep turning the rods clockwise as you push up cos otherwise they can come unwound.

never look up the chimny (I did and got a rod on my forehead for my trouble and it hurts like hell :'( )

This bloke who does ours now has a massive hoover that he sooks the sot out with as he brushes which i have to say is well handy but i always managed sweeping it out in buckets (although Shell thought I made a massive mess ;D )

 

Well silly me decided to lie on the floor with my head in the fire place to have a look up with the torch
It seemed there was some build up at the bottom of the chimney so i gave it a poke with the fire poker
Yup you guessed it a load came tumbling down and covered me in soot
On the plus side ive spoke to next door and he has a set of rods i can borrow so i just need to buy the brush
Has anyone used these chemical logs that soften all the soot?

http://www.hotline-chimneys.co.uk/products.asp?partno=CCL

 

they are just the sme as drain rods, and you can get the brush pretty cheap on fleabay

 

Get piece stiff hardboard/cardboard. Cut 6" hole in middle. Attach sleeve from old shirt or whatever with gaffa tape. You have now made your "popes nose". Pretty obvious what to do with it. Better than a blanket. Or, get on the roof and use a live chicken and some string.

 

i often sweep my own chimney , mrs gumbo cant be bothered much