Woodburner Service and Sweep in Hailsham

The Situation

Upon arriving at the client’s home, I conducted a thorough woodburner service and sweep in Hailsham. The key issues identified were:
Seized Baffle Plate: The baffle plate, critical for managing airflow within the stove, was completely seized due to heavy soot accumulation.
Soot Build up: A substantial clump of soot had formed on top of the baffle plate. further restricting airflow and causing the stove to perform inefficiently.
Potential for Mess: Given the visible amount of soot, extra care was necessary to prevent any mess during the cleaning process.

Actions Taken

Careful preparation:
I took extra care with the sheeting up of the stove and surrounding area. This was a priority to ensure that no soot or debris would escape into the client’s home, keeping the space as clean as possible.

Loosening the Baffle Plate: 
Using a hammer, I carefully loosened the seized baffle plate. This required patience and precision to avoid damaging the stove. Despite the challenge, the plate was eventually freed from its position.

Thorough Flue Sweeping and Liner Inspection:
With the baffle plate loosened, I proceeded to remove the large clump of soot and performed a comprehensive sweep of the flue. I also inspected the flue liner for any splits or damage and found it to be in good condition, with no issues detected.

Assessment of the Baffle Plate:
Upon further inspection, it became clear that the baffle plate was so severely warped that it could no longer stay in place. I discussed this with the client, explaining the importance of replacing the baffle plate for the safe and efficient operation of the wood burner. The client agreed to purchase a new baffle plate.

Temporary Reassembly:
I reassembled the stove as much as possible without the baffle plate, ensuring that everything else was secure and clean. The client provided some much-appreciated cups of tea and delicious homemade cookies during the process, which added a nice touch to the service.