Annual pellet stove maintenance: what it includes and why it matters
Complete annual maintenance includes cleaning the burner and ash pan, checking the flue, extractor motor and sensors, and adjusting combustion. Without this maintenance, the service life can drop from more than 15 years to barely 5.
Pre-winter chimney checklist: 9 things to check in September
Before lighting the fireplace in autumn, check the condition of the flue, opening and terminal, the cleanliness of the firebox, and the draught; if it has been more than a year since it was cleaned, contact a professional. The full checklist has 9 points.
Dry or wet firewood: how to identify it and why it matters most for your fireplace
Dry firewood sounds hollow when struck, weighs less and has radial cracks at the ends; wet wood is heavier, has no cracks and hisses as it burns. It should be seasoned outdoors for at least 12 months before burning.
8 signs your chimney needs cleaning (and why you shouldn’t wait)
The clearest signs are: smoke entering the room, a burnt smell between uses, visible soot in the firebox, or more than a year having passed since the last cleaning. If you notice any of these, do not light the fireplace until it has been checked.
When should you clean your chimney before winter? The definitive guide
The best time is between June and September, before the busy autumn and winter season. Cleaning in summer avoids chimney sweeps' packed schedules and ensures the fireplace is ready before the cold weather arrives.
Chimney regulations in Spain and Catalonia: what is required and what is advisable
In Spain there is no national regulation requiring annual cleaning of privately used chimneys, but the CTE, municipal bylaws, home insurance policies and residential communities may require it. Keeping documentary evidence of the annual inspection protects you legally and helps ensure insurance coverage.
Pellet stove vs pellet boiler: differences and maintenance
A pellet stove heats one space; a pellet boiler heats the whole house through a hydraulic system. Both require annual flue cleaning, but the boiler is more complex and a technical inspection is especially important.
Chimney sweep or gas inspection: which do you need and when?
A chimney sweep deals with wood-burning fireplaces, pellet stoves and biomass boilers; a gas technician deals with natural gas or propane boilers. They are different professions and, if you have both types of installation, you need both inspections.
Chimney flue camera inspection: what it is and when it is needed
Camera inspection is the most reliable tool for diagnosing problems in flues that cannot be seen from the fireplace opening. It is especially useful in second-hand homes, chimneys with a history of damp, or when there is a loss of draught with no apparent cause.
When to call a chimney sweep urgently: signs you should not ignore
If you notice a smell of smoke in the house when the fireplace is not lit, stains on the ceiling near the flue, smoke coming into the room, you have had a chimney fire, or it has been more than a year since the last cleaning, call before lighting it. The number is 611 06 44 22.
