Guide ยท Care and maintenance
When should annual stove maintenance be planned?
Arrange maintenance early enough to correct any problem before regular burning resumes. Many owners choose spring or summer, but the proper interval comes from the appliance instructions, fuel, chimney and usage. Sweeping and stove servicing are related, not interchangeable, jobs.
Updated 22 August 2026
Use the manufacturer schedule as the baseline
Approved Document J says combustion appliances need adequate regular servicing and maintenance to continue working safely and effectively. The stove manual and any warranty conditions should therefore be the first reference for service intervals and required checks.
Heavy use, unusual deposits, changed fuel or a known fault may justify attention sooner. Do not wait for an annual date if the appliance is damaged, smoke enters the room or the carbon monoxide alarm activates.
Sweeping addresses the chimney route
A sweep removes deposits and checks the route is available for combustion products. HETAS recommends sweeping at least annually, with frequency depending on the appliance and fuel; some patterns of wood use can need more frequent sweeping.
A stove service focuses on the appliance and its working parts. Rope seals, firebox components, baffles, controls and other items are considered against the model instructions. One appointment may be coordinated with the other, but do not assume one automatically includes both.
Why booking before autumn helps
Maintenance during a quieter period leaves time to identify the correct replacement part or resolve a chimney problem before the first sustained cold spell. It also means the first fire of the season is not being used as an improvised test.
Before the visit, find the appliance model, manual and previous records. Tell the service provider about changes in performance, cracked components, loose handles, smoke leakage, alarm events or staining around the chimney.
Good operation continues between services
Burn only the fuel permitted for the model. For wood, keep it dry and use the controls as instructed rather than leaving a smoky, low-temperature fire for long periods. Keep ventilation openings clear and test the carbon monoxide alarm in line with its instructions.
The Fireplace and Stove currently offers stove servicing and works with Webb & Son Chimney Sweeps. Confirm the scope of the appointment when booking so appliance maintenance and chimney sweeping are coordinated where both are due.
Common questions
Is one service every year always enough?
The correct interval depends on the stove manual, use, fuel and condition. Annual planning is common, but heavier use or a problem can require earlier attention.
Are servicing and chimney sweeping the same job?
No. Servicing examines the appliance and its components; sweeping deals with the chimney or flue route and deposits. Ask exactly what an appointment includes.
What should make me stop using the stove?
Stop and seek competent advice if smoke enters the room, the carbon monoxide alarm activates, the appliance or flue is damaged, or operation changes in a way that suggests unsafe performance.
Who carries out chimney sweeping for TFS customers?
The current website states that The Fireplace and Stove works with Webb & Son Chimney Sweeps. Confirm availability and scope when arranging the visit.
Turn the research into a property-specific plan
Bring your questions to the Lichfield showroom, or ask us to assess the room, chimney and proposed appliance at home before anything is ordered.
Ask about a home surveyMore guides
Read next
What should you budget for a wood burner installation?
A clearer way to compare stove quotations without relying on a misleading headline figure.
Read the guideDoes your stove installation need a chimney liner?
Why lining is a survey decision rather than an automatic addition to every stove installation.
Read the guideCan a wood burner be fitted without a masonry chimney?
What is involved in designing an insulated chimney system for a home with no suitable chimney.
Read the guide