It is advisable to periodically rod your drains or sweep your chimney in order to prevent serious damage at a later date. Below is a guide to the timescales we recommend.
Drains
If you have clay drains, you should rod the drain around every two years, as the pipes are more susceptible to blockages. Most modern houses (those built in the 1980s onwards) have drains that are made from uPVC which do not require as much maintenance. A uPVC drain would not normally require preventative rodding in the same way as a clay drain does.
Chimneys
The sweeping frequencies below are for guidance only, and will depend on a number of factors including: the type of fuel, the duration of use and the moisture content of the wood.
Smokeless fuel:
At least once a year
Wood:
Quarterly when in use
Coal:
Quarterly when in use
Flues
A flue needs to allow free passage of dangerous combustion gases. Cleaning will maintain the efficiency of the appliances they are connected to, resulting in lower emissions and reduced running costs.