Chimney sweeping

You must 

• use fireplaces according to their instructions
• react to any faults and deficiencies detected by a chimney sweep
• make sure that the ladder and roof equipment are in good condition to ensure that chimney sweeping can be carried out safely.

• The chimneys of buildings used for permanent housing must be swept at least once a year.
• The chimneys of buildings used for housing for only part of the year, such as summer cottages, must be swept at least every three years. 
• Unused fireplaces and flues do not have to be swept.
• If a fireplace and flue have not been used for at least three years, they should be swept before they are heated again.

Chimney sweeping may only be carried out by a person who has completed

• further vocational qualification in chimney sweeping
• the area of expertise in chimney sweeping of the further vocational qualification in building services engineering.

You must personally contact a chimney sweep. Contact information of chimney sweeps is available on the websites and advertisements of chimney sweeping companies and on the website nuohoojat.fi (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

The price regulation of chimney sweeping services has ended. Chimney sweeping companies determine the prices of their services, so ask for the price of chimney sweeping before placing an order.

If you are dissatisfied with the chimney sweeping, you should first contact the chimney sweeping company. If the complaint you have filed with the company does not solve the issue, you may contact the Consumer Advice.

After the chimney sweeping, the sweep will give you a chimney sweeping certificate. The chimney sweep will use the certificate to report the measures taken and any faults and deficiencies detected.

You can use the chimney sweeping certificate to prove to the rescue department that you have appropriately taken care of chimney sweeping.

The chimney sweep also directly notifies the rescue department of any defects that may be a fire hazard.