Chimneys and stoves

Chimney sweeping

Sweeping a chimney and issuing a certificate for an insurer.

Post a task Chimney sweeping by county

Whether this needs a licence in Ireland

Ireland

No licence required

Taken from the statute below; not yet reviewed by a lawyer

Irelandwww.cru.ieChecked 14/10/2026

Chimney sweeping: what the job involves

Cleaning soot, tar and debris such as nests out of a chimney or stove flue so the fire draws properly and the risk of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide is lower. A sweep usually checks the draw with a smoke test and can leave a certificate for an insurer.

Also asked for as: chimney cleaning · sweep chimney · stove flue cleaning · chimney sweep certificate · birds nest in chimney

How the job is usually done

Sheet the fireplace and room, and seal the opening so soot stays in.
Inspect the fireplace, throat and any stove flue pipe or register plate.
Sweep the flue from below with rods and brushes, or a power sweep for a lined flue.
Remove soot, nests and debris and clean the smoke shelf and stove baffle.
Smoke-test the flue to check the draw and look for leaks.
Note any defects and issue a sweep certificate.

Chimney sweeping: what is included

Usually included

Sweeping one flue and clearing out the soot
A smoke or draw test
Cleaning the stove baffle or throat plate
A certificate of sweeping on request

Usually not included — agree it separately

Removing large nests or debris that need access from the roof
CCTV inspection of the flue, unless agreed
Repairs to the stack, flaunching, pots or liner
Cowls and bird guards, priced as parts

Materials and who supplies them

Rods, brushes, vacuum and sheets: the sweep brings these
A cowl or bird guard, if fitted: usually supplied by the sweep

How long it takes

About an hour per flue; longer with a nest, a stove that has to be partly dismantled, or a CCTV inspection.

When to book

Sweep before the heating season, ideally late summer or early autumn when sweeps are less busy, and at least once a year for regular use.

Chimney sweeping: the rules in Ireland

What the official sources say, checked against them on the date shown. A summary, not legal advice — follow the link to read the rule itself.

Chimney and solid fuel stove work is not a restricted trade in Ireland; there is no statutory register. Gas fires and gas stoves are different and reserved to Registered Gas Installers.
Applies to: the homeowner choosing a contractor
Commission for Regulation of Utilities · cru.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Smoky (bituminous) coal is banned nationwide and only approved solid fuels from registered producers may be sold; the retail, online and advertised sale of turf and the burning of waste timber are banned. From 1 September 2026, wood logs and other 100% biomass fuel sold must have a moisture content of 20% or less.
Applies to: fuel sellers, and householders in what they burn
Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022, S.I. 529 of 2022 · irishstatutebook.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Work on a roof or chimney stack must be planned so falls are prevented — scaffolding, edge protection or a mobile elevating platform rather than a ladder alone for anything but short, light work.
Applies to: contractors and their employees
Health and Safety Authority, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations · hsa.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

What chimney sweeping costs, and why

What jobs on Talqero came to

Not enough comparable jobs yet to publish a range here. Talqero shows a price range only once at least five comparable jobs, agreed prices or offers exist — a range from fewer would describe a handful of jobs, not the market. Post your job and compare the offers you get.

What affects the price

Number of flues
Open fire or stove, and whether the stove has to be disconnected
Bird nests or a blocked flue
A CCTV inspection or a certificate
Fitting a cowl or bird guard at the same visit
VAT: building work on a home is charged at the reduced rate of 13.5% by a VAT-registered business — unless the materials come to more than two-thirds of the price, when Revenue’s two-thirds rule applies the goods rate to the whole job. Ask whether a quote includes VAT.

Paperwork to ask for at the end

A sweep certificate with the date, the address and any defects found — insurers sometimes ask for one after a chimney fire

Safety

Every room with a fire or stove should have a carbon monoxide alarm; test it monthly.
Wet wood and smoky fuels coat the flue in tar, the main cause of chimney fires.
If you hear roaring in the chimney or see sparks from the pot, close the stove air vents, get everyone out and call 112 or 999.

Chimney sweeping: before you hire

Questions to ask a tradesperson

Will you smoke-test the flue afterwards?
Do I get a certificate?
Is the price per flue, and does it include a stove?
Did you see anything that needs repairing?

What you can do yourself

Brushing a stove baffle is fine, but rodding a full chimney yourself rarely does the job properly and leaves no certificate.

What to put in your task

What is the flue used for?
How many chimneys or flues need sweeping?
When was it last swept?
Have you noticed any of these?
Do you need a certificate for an insurer?

Photos that help

The fireplace or stove
The chimney stack from outside, showing pots and cowls
Any soot fall, staining or nesting material

Chimneys and stoves

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Questions about chimney sweeping

Does chimney sweeping need a licence in Ireland?

No licence is required for this work in Ireland (source: www.cru.ie). Ask instead for references and photographs of similar jobs.

How often should a chimney be swept?

At least once a year for a fire or stove in regular use, and more often if you burn wood. A sweep can advise after seeing how much soot and tar has built up.

Can I still burn turf or coal?

Smoky coal is banned nationwide and only approved solid fuels may be sold. Turf may no longer be sold in shops or online, and from September 2026 wood logs sold must be dry, with 20% moisture or less.

Does my insurer need a sweep certificate?

Some home insurers ask for proof that a chimney was swept, especially after a chimney fire. Check your policy, and keep the certificate.