When chimney problems strike outside of regular business hours, it’s important to know what constitutes a true emergency and what steps to take. As Cambridgeshire’s leading chimney specialists since 1980, we’ve handled thousands of emergency calls and provide next-day emergency response. Here’s our expert guide on managing chimney emergencies.
Common Emergency Scenarios
1. Birds Trapped in Chimneys
The most frequent emergency call we receive is for birds trapped in chimneys. This situation requires professional intervention because:
- Birds can become distressed and injured
- Attempting DIY removal could harm the bird and/or your chimney
- Professional equipment is needed for safe extraction
- Expert knowledge ensures proper handling
- Prevention measures can be installed
What to Do While Waiting for Service:
- Keep the room quiet to reduce bird stress
- Close internal doors to prevent escape into the house
- If it’s a stove, keep the door closed
- If it’s an open fireplace, block off the opening to stop the bird entering the room
- Don’t light fires or try to smoke the bird out
- Listen for movement to help locate the bird
- Note when you first heard the bird to report to our team
2. Post-Chimney Fire Inspection
While relatively rare thanks to modern safety awareness, chimney fires require immediate professional assessment:
- CCTV survey to assess structural damage
- Safety certification before future use
- Insurance documentation
- Prevention advice for future use
Immediate Actions After a Chimney Fire:
- Call the fire service first
- Don’t use the fireplace or stove
- Document any visible damage
- Contact your insurance company
- Call us to book your CCTV inspection
3. Smoke Problems and Blockages
Smoke entering your room can be alarming, but understanding the cause helps determine if you need emergency service. Often, smoke problems occur for two main reasons:
Cold Plug Issues During cold weather, a column of dense, cold air can become trapped in your chimney, especially if the fireplace hasn’t been used recently. This ‘cold plug’ prevents smoke from rising properly. Fortunately, this common problem can often be resolved without emergency service.
Blockages More seriously, smoke problems can indicate a physical blockage in your chimney from:
- Bird nests or debris
- Creosote buildup
- Fallen masonry
- Other obstructions
If You’re Experiencing Smoke Problems:
- First, extinguish the fire safely and ventilate the room
- Once the room is clear, determine if it’s a cold plug or blockage:
- Warm the Chimney (Cold Plug Solution):
- Use a hairdryer to direct hot air up the chimney flue for 5-10 minutes (for both open fireplaces and stoves)
- Keep the hairdryer moving to heat the air evenly
- Perform the Smoke Test:
- Light an incense stick or small piece of paper
- Hold it near the fireplace opening (not inside)
- Watch the smoke pattern carefully
- Interpret the Results:
- If smoke draws upward into the chimney: Cold plug has cleared, safe to retry fire
- If smoke fails to draw or billows out: Likely blockage requiring professional service
When to Call Us:
- Smoke test indicates blockage
- Recent chimney fire
- Visible damage to chimney structure
- Trapped wildlife
- Carbon monoxide alarm activation
- Persistent smoke problems even after warming procedure
Emergency Response Service
At Ablewight, we prioritise emergency situations with our next working day response service:
- Priority booking within one working day
- Full emergency assessment
- Professional equipment for all situations
- Expert technicians
- Complete safety certification
Service Coverage
We provide emergency chimney services across:
- Cambridgeshire
- Hertfordshire
- Suffolk
- Essex
When you call our emergency line, we’ll assess your situation and schedule the earliest possible appointment, typically within one working day. This allows us to properly prepare the necessary equipment and expertise for your specific emergency.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
To avoid emergency situations:
- Schedule regular chimney sweeping
- Install appropriate bird guards
- Maintain proper burning practices
- Have annual safety inspections
- Address minor issues promptly
Emergency Service Costs
Our emergency call-out service is £120 + VAT, which includes:
- Rapid response
- Initial assessment
- Basic problem resolution
- Safety check
- Follow-up recommendations
Additional services (if required):
When to Wait vs When to Call
Situations Requiring Immediate Response:
- Trapped wildlife
- Post-chimney fire inspection
- Carbon monoxide concerns
- Structural damage
- Confirmed blockages
Situations That Can Usually Wait:
- Minor draft issues
- Routine maintenance
- General inspections
- Installation queries
- Preventative measures
Trust the Industry Leaders
As founders of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps and authors of the City & Guilds qualification, we bring unmatched expertise to every emergency call. Our service includes:
- £5 million public liability insurance
- Full safety certification
- Expert assessment
- Professional documentation
- Prevention advice
Don’t wait until a minor issue becomes an emergency. For urgent chimney problems, contact us. Our expert team will respond within one working day to help resolve your chimney emergency.
- 01223 627012
- hello@ablewight.co.uk
Your family’s safety is our priority. Prevention is always better than repair – schedule your sweep with Cambridgeshire’s most trusted chimney professionals.
HETAS Approved | Trading Standards Approved | Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps
