# TRCS > Professional Chimney Sweeping in Ayrshire Since 1965 ## Posts - [BIRDS NESTS](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2021/03/07/birds-nests-2/): Two types of birds are most common in chimney bird nest problems, Starlings but more often Jackdaws are the culprits. From April to the end of July is the jackdaw nesting season, although problems often occur beyond these months because jackdaws are very territorial and often hang about all year. You should never underestimate the problem or these birds as they are surprisingly intelligent, resourceful and some of the most determined when it comes to nest building. It is surprising... Read More Read More - [DEFRA Approved Stoves](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2021/01/31/defra-approved-stoves/): A Defra Approved stove , or more accurately termed a ‘Defra Smoke Exempt Appliance’ , is a wood burning stove which has passed the UK Government’s Department of Environment , Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) criteria for emission levels and the amount of smoke that it will be allowed to produce during normal operation. Defra Approved stoves have been modified by the manufacturer to limit the amount that it can be ‘closed down’ or in other words , by how... Read More Read More - [Stainless Steel Flexible Liners & Smokeless fuels: What you need to know.](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2020/12/18/stainless-steel-flexible-liners-smokeless-fuels-what-you-need-to-know/): Occasionally a chimney flue will be in such a bad condition that a liner will be required. This might be due in part to the age of the building but is definitely more to do with the user (or abuser as the case may be) of the flue: as in what they burn, how often and how they burn it. Prior to the 1950’s , the mortar between the bricks generally consists of old sand and lime material mixes. This... Read More Read More - [Buying a new House ? What this could mean for you and for us.](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2020/11/30/buying-a-new-house-what-this-might-mean-for-you-and-for-us/): Just recently, we had a few new customers within a short period of time who had all recently bought a new property and wanted to start as they mean to go on by getting their chimneys swept and checked out. So far so good, it is a wise decision to get us in sooner rather than later when you are about to start decorating. Often times when we get a call from a new owner like this, there may be... Read More Read More - [It's that time of year again](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2020/10/25/its-that-time-of-year-again/): Some nine years ago , on the 28/10/2011 my father passed away ending an era that began in 1965 and lasting some 46 years in its entirety. I normally always write some kind of post to remind myself of the, “good old days” as I am a wee bit sentimental but not daft enough to think everything was all a bed of roses. For instance there was the time when the roof man sent the ball and brush down a... Read More Read More - [Staying safe during isolation](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2020/03/17/staying-safe-during-isolation/): Fireplaces have many functions, but they were and still may also prove to be a lifeline, e.g. during a power cut, they can provide the main source of heating and cooking. Having a traditional fire in adverse situations gives a sense of security as an independent heat source and for some people who are on their own for long periods of time, it can be almost like a companion. Over the next few months, given world events, stove and fireplace... Read More Read More - [Condensation and Other Issues that show up in cold weather.](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2019/10/29/condensation-and-other-issues-that-show-up-in-cold-weather/): At this time of year when the weather gets cold enough to start affecting your fire or stove you may be surprised or even shocked when things don’t seem to work the way they normally do. Appliances have Running Temperatures Stoves, indeed all appliances have a running temperature and it takes time to reach this point, so you may find they won’t start up so easily and/or are Smokey for the first 10-15 minutes. This is due to the cold... Read More Read More - [Rodtech training course : Chimney Sweeping and Advanced fault finding](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2019/05/10/rodtech-training-course-chimney-sweeping-and-advanced-fault-finding/): I had been talking about going on a training course for a few years and I finally went down in May 2019 for three days and got my City & Guilds accredited , “Chimney Sweeping and Advanced fault finding” certificate via Rodtech at their Heats Centre training facilities in Hingham , Norfolkshire. I wasn’t sure how much I would know it being based on English rules & regulations but I was glad to find I had already self taught myself... Read More Read More - [Reasons for regular maintenance of stoves and the risks of neglect.](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2019/03/26/reasons-for-maintenance-of-stoves-and-risks-of-neglect/): Any kind of appliance that does something with moving parts and especially those exposed to high temperatures , will need to be maintained regularly.When it comes to maintenance people can normally be divided into three kinds:1. Those that know , understand and appreciate the situation and whom will maintain their devices/appliances. 2. Those that know but think they can ‘risk it’ one more time. 3. Those who are just simply not aware. [Installers to blame here?] Once you own a... Read More Read More - [Buckled/Broken Baffle Plates](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2019/03/25/buckled-baffle-plates/): It almost always comes as a shock to new wood burner or multi fuel stove owners that their baffle plate (also known as a throat or deflector plate) is classed as a stove ‘consumable’ and is therefore NOT covered under their stove warranty in the same way that most of the other components are. This is because baffle plates are positioned at the top of the fire chamber specifically to deflect flames and heat back into the stove instead of... Read More Read More - [Cool Fuel Rules](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2019/03/12/cool-fuel-rules-hit-the-right-hot-spot/): There are many fuel types available to the solid fuel user: coal, peat, wood logs, compressed wood products, smokeless coals. With so much negative information in the press these days … which is the right fuel for you to burn? Firstly , you must look at your appliance and follow the manufacturer guidelines as burning the wrong fuel type can be dangerous and at the very least invalidate your warranty. Good sweeps are generally a hive of knowledge. If you... Read More Read More - [Fake News and wood burning stoves](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2019/03/05/fake-news-and-wood-burning-stoves/): Wood burning stoves have been unfairly targeted by blogs, the press … just about everyone lately and are being painted in a very negative light. The reality, which in my view is very different to that portrayed in the press of late. So i will attempt to address the matter somewhat here in this post. Firstly, wood is one of the only truly renewable fuels but yet is often compared to diesel due to some of the particles that are... Read More Read More - [Some Chimney Pots, Cowls and Caps](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2018/06/14/chimney-pots-cowls-and-caps/): This article will serve as a general introduction to various pots , their insertions , cowls and uses. A standard terracotta electric cap aka elephants foot or a correctly sized roll top chimney pot is usually the best way to terminate (block off a lum) a chimney.  They are made of terracotta , have low wind resistance , are strong , last many years and most importantly do not impede the flow of Flue gases because there is no change of... Read More Read More - [Open fires versus Stoves ......some differences](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2018/05/14/open-fires-versus-stoves-some-differences/): What is a stove ? A stove is a closed appliance. Therefore, its air intake is controlled by the user by the means of primary and secondary air flow controls which control how quickly the fuel burns. What is an open fire ? An open fire is just that, .. a fire sat within an opening on a grate/ insert into an open flue/ chimney. The only control you have (other than a damper plate in some kinds) over an... Read More Read More - [What is a CCTV Chimney Survey?](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2018/04/24/what-is-a-cctv-chimney-survey/): A  CCTV Chimney Survey comprises of a professional sweep using a flexible camera system to look up inside your existing flue system. This allows a close-up view of the system, meaning that any damages or blockages can be identified. A CCTV Chimney Survey also allows the sweep to note the measurements of the flue system interior. These are necessary to ensure the correct size of flue liner can be used for your project. The correct size of flue lining is key... Read More Read More - [How to light my Fire](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2017/10/29/how-to-light-my-fire/): How to light a Fire Oh umm i meant a fire , was just my daft attempt an attention grabber, lol.  Not that anyone probably needs this article BUT you never know right , there’s always somebody somewhere starting out at something so, on with the article. Make sure the damper, throat, whatever ventilation system or plate is open Empty the ash tray. This aids ventilation and draw. You will need either firelighters (expensive) or paper and dry sticks (kindling)... Read More Read More - [The importance of decent ladders](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2017/09/19/the-importance-of-decent-ladders/): The importance of decent ladders   So it had been in the back of my mind for a while now to invest in some decent ladders as the ones left to me by my father were getting on a bit. As with a lot of things these days, it didn’t take me long to find out the price of a decent set of ladders with free delivery wasn’t particularly expensive; after that i couldn’t fail to abide by the logic... Read More Read More - [Summer Heat is on](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2017/06/20/summer-heat-is-on/): Not posted in a while so just a quick post to let everyone know i am here , still available for work over the summer. Normal service ends the end of this month but i will be available on request until the autumn season starts back up again towards the end of August. So if you have birds nest problems or “other” jobs the best time to get it done will be early July to mid August unless otherwise notified... Read More Read More - [Wood Burning Properties](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2016/12/19/burning-wood/): A quick guide to wood burning properties There are a many types of wood to choose from, all of which have their own burning qualities and properties. Although there are references to burning green wood here ; to get the most efficient and effective ‘burn’ in your wood burning stove, only very dry (at least <20% moisture) wood should be used. The following is a small guide only and is by no means comprehensive. The table below shows the types... Read More Read More - [BIRDS NESTS](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2016/05/08/birds-nests/): Two types of birds are most common in chimney problems, starlings but more often jackdaws (small crow with silver streak on its ears). From April till July (although problems often occur beyond these months, as jackdaws are very territorial and can hang about all year) it is the jackdaw nesting season. You should never underestimate these birds as they are surprisingly intelligent and some of the most determined when it comes to procreation & nest building. It is surprising how... Read More Read More - [Using a stove thermometer to ensure optimum efficiency](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2016/01/28/using-stove-thermometers-to-ensure-optimum-efficiency/):   Your newly acquired wood/multifuel stove will give months of long, easy & warm cosy days where you can lounge around just enjoying yourself. However, as with all things that are subject to temperature & pH variations, maintenance checks are essential. Using a thermometer gives you peace of mind over safety and the satisfaction that everything is running under optimum conditions. Often times these, “checks” may seem as if they might drag you out of your comfort zone but the... Read More Read More - [Multi Fuel or Wood Burning stove.. What's the difference?](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2015/10/31/whats-the-difference-a-multi-fuel-or-just-wood-burning-stove/): Traditionally, stoves were intended to burn wood and only wood, then multi-fuel stoves were created to give you the option of heating your home with either coal or wood.      So , ..    Multi Fuel or Wood Burning stove ?First off, you should know that it is NOT advisable to burn both coal and wood in your stove at the same time as this can and will damage your flue lining and stove itself.  Why is it not wise... Read More Read More - [Enter the Autumn/winter season 2015](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2015/08/05/enter-the-autumnwinter-season-2015/): Enter the Autumn/winter season 2015 So we have been ticking over through this summer , no galavanting for me this year. My cousin Sam is now working with me and is pleasure to work with; so maybe keeping it in the family is working out ok. Going to be looking at marketing and advertising more this year to see if we can increase our customer base. So don’t be surprised if you get a flyer or see something about us... Read More Read More - [A brief history of Chimney Sweeping](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2014/11/08/a-brief-history-of-chimney-sweeping/): A brief history of Chimney Sweeping Even in the Georgian period of history of chimney sweeping, it was understood that chimneys had to be brush cleaned. Back then the 17th century Master Sweep of the day would employ small boys to climb and scramble up chimneys. The task for these climbing boys was to brush clean the inside of the flue with small hand-held brushes and they also used metal scrapers to remove the harder tar deposits left by wood... Read More Read More - [The Cost of Wood as a fuel](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2014/10/18/cost-of-wood-fuel/): The Cost of Wood as a fuel For the best results, wood should be left on a dry surface protected from rain but with the sides exposed to air and wind. It should be stacked not piled which will speed up the drying process. Chopping the wood down to size before storing it will also help it to dry quicker. Alternatively, you can buy ready-seasoned wood at a little extra cost. Remember , burning wet wood is the quickest way... Read More Read More - [Moisture Meters](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2014/10/02/moisture-meters/): Moisture Meters Readily available online from large retailers such Ebay and Amazon for around £20 , a firewood moisture meter is perhaps the best investment (next to a stove thermometer) and THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL for helping you to get the most out of your stove. Although there are many professional firewood suppliers out there who know their business and when they say that their firewood is well seasoned (sufficiently dry i.e. moisture content = 20% or less) it is... Read More Read More - [What is HETAS?](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/2014/09/17/hetas/):  What is HETAS? You can find the HETAS site here HETAS UK Their facebook page is here : HETAS UK on Facebook HETAS  are now the official body recognised by the government to approve biomass, solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services including registration of competent installers and servicing businesses. One could liken them to the gas safety register which used to be known as the corgi register. HETAS Objectives Promote and watch continuous improvement in the safe installation and use of... Read More Read More ## Pages - [Privacy Policy](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/privacy-policy/): Thank you for using our services. Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used at our site. The Information We Collect You provide specific personal information during the purchase of goods and/or services from our site. The information includes: your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, payment information and your interest in specific... Read More Read More - [Terms, Conditions and Preparation](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/terms-conditions-and-preparation/):   How YOU the Customer should prepare for the sweeps visit  In days of old before there were central heating systems and other such appliances to keep your house warm, using an ‘old-fashioned’ coal fire was a way of life. As such, learning how to use them correctly, take care of them and preparing for the chimney sweeps visit was just something most people learned as a child.As many of today’s customers are new to solid fuel appliances, they don’t... Read More Read More - [Our Working Zone](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/our-working-zone/): We are based in KILMARNOCK our Gmap business listing HERE shows the map of our normal working zone. [NB/ this works fine on PC/Laptop browsers but you may need to pinch & scroll out on mobile phones] Please bear in mind; IF you live close to or on the edge of our normal working zone area, it probably will NOT be financially viable for us to travel all the way there for only one job. However, to expedite things you can... Read More Read More - [Posts Page](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/posts-page/): Posts Page This is our posts page , which is basically like a blog except it is not a running commentary of our week by week work. Here, we try to share interesting and pertinent information that will be useful or at least interesting to clients and anyone who is interested in chimney sweeping. We give top tips on how to use your fuel and many other aspects of the trade. Whilst we endeavor to keep our information up to... Read More Read More - [FAQ's](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/faqs/): How often should I get my chimney swept Both the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) and Solid Fuel Association (SFA) strongly recommend: 1. smokeless fuel systems be swept once a year. 2. bituminous (normal house coal) coal twice a year, 3. wood quarterly ie. four times a year. 4. Oil and Gas once a year. Why do chimneys need to be swept? A chimney needs to be swept because it is the exhaust system for your heating appliance. If... Read More Read More - [About Us](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/): Based in Kilmarnock, 2026 is our 61st year in the trade making us by far the most experienced and longest-serving professional sweeps in Ayrshire. T.R.C.S. was founded by Mr T Reid Snr back in 1965, after he had learned the trade skills whilst working for Kilmarnock & Loudon borough council. When the council stopped providing their free sweep service as part of tenancy agreements; a niche presented itself, which he grew to give our family a modest living for the... Read More Read More - [Contact Us](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/contact-us/): We are very happy you are considering using our services.Please use the contact form below and we will reply to you by email or telephone promptly. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 2-3 working days (Monday-Friday), particularly during our busier periods. ** Before filling the form please first check that you live within our Working Zone ** Fill in the form carefully as best you can, giving ALL the relevant information you know.  Required fields* must be filled... Read More Read More - [General Safety Info](https://treidchimneyservices.uk/general-safety-information/): It is commonly believed that only gas appliances produce carbon monoxide but ALL combustion and therefore ALL appliances that burn fuel produce carbon monoxide. Your solid fuel stove or open fire produces hundreds of times the amount of a gas or oil appliance, for this and the risk of chimney fires, is why it is important to have your chimney swept by a competent professional chimney sweep. The number of chimney fires is increasing every year in the UK with... 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