Chimney sweep or gas inspection: which one do you need and when?

What a chimney sweep does

A chimney sweep specialises in solid-fuel and biomass combustion systems. Their work includes cleaning the flue, checking the draught, inspecting the fireplace or burner, checking the condition of seals and the chimney cap, and detecting soot or creosote build-up that could pose a risk.

The installations that fall within a chimney sweep’s scope include: open and closed wood-burning fireplaces, fireplace inserts, pellet stoves, wood-burning stoves, biomass boilers (wood or pellets) and their flues.

What the gas technician does

The gas technician (authorised gas installer) is responsible for natural gas or propane boilers, gas burners and the home’s gas distribution network. A gas boiler inspection includes checking the burners, heat exchanger, ignition safety and the gas network for leaks.

In Catalonia, domestic gas boilers are subject to a mandatory inspection schedule. This inspection must be carried out by an authorised gas installer who holds the specific qualification required.

What if I have both systems at home?

It is more common than it may seem: many homes have a gas boiler for central heating and a fireplace or wood-burning stove as supplementary heating or as the main heating source for part of the house. In that case, you need two separate inspections carried out by two different professionals.

There is no overlap: the gas technician will not inspect your fireplace, and the chimney sweep will not inspect your gas boiler. Each professional works on their own type of installation.

The case of pellet stoves

Pellet stoves can cause some confusion because they are modern appliances with electronics and burners that superficially resemble boilers. But they do not burn gas: they burn compressed wood pellets. Their inspection and maintenance therefore fall to a biomass maintenance technician or a chimney sweep experienced with these systems, not a gas technician.

The same applies to biomass boilers (pellet or wood-chip), which, although much larger and more complex, are also solid-fuel combustion systems.

Who inspects the gas boiler flue?

There is an important distinction here: a gas boiler flue also needs maintenance, even though it produces much less soot than a wood-burning fireplace. Condensing gas boilers, for example, produce acidic condensate that can damage flues. In this case, the flue may be inspected by the gas technician or a chimney sweep, depending on the type of installation.

If you are unsure exactly which inspections your installation needs, the most practical option is to contact us: we will tell you exactly what is and is not covered by our service.

Frequently asked questions