H Firkins & Sons is a family-run chimney sweeping and inspection business based in Southgate, North London. Established in 1860, the company provides specialist chimney cleaning, flue inspections, integrity testing and diagnostic surveys for traditional fireplaces, solid-fuel appliances and associated chimney systems.
The business originated in Crouch End and has continued through successive generations of the Firkins family. Today, Graham Firkins and his son Josh maintain the family's involvement in chimney maintenance and inspection, combining longstanding practical experience with modern technical qualifications and diagnostic equipment.
Its services are relevant to a broad range of buildings, including Georgian and Victorian houses, Edwardian properties, traditional cottages and more recent residential buildings containing open fireplaces or solid-fuel heating appliances.
Historic chimneys frequently incorporate complex masonry flues, changes in construction materials and alterations undertaken during successive periods of occupation. Their safe maintenance requires an understanding of both traditional construction and contemporary chimney performance requirements.
Professional chimney sweeping remains a principal service provided by H Firkins & Sons.
The company undertakes cleaning and maintenance of chimney flues serving traditional open fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and other suitable heating appliances.
Regular sweeping removes accumulated soot, combustion deposits and other material that may restrict the passage of smoke and combustion gases.
In older buildings, unused or infrequently maintained chimneys may also contain bird nesting materials, fallen masonry fragments and debris associated with deterioration or previous alterations.
The company's sweeping procedures include protecting the surrounding interior, selecting appropriate cleaning equipment and removing deposits using specialist vacuum systems.
Where appropriate, the process incorporates visual checks, smoke evacuation testing and assessment of ventilation and associated safety provisions.
Following sweeping, the company provides a certificate recording the work undertaken and relevant observations.
H Firkins & Sons undertakes specialist inspections of chimney systems where their condition, construction or previous maintenance history is uncertain.
Historic masonry chimneys may have undergone successive alterations, including changes to fireplace openings, the installation of new appliances, partial reconstruction or the introduction of modern flue liners.
Such changes can affect the integrity, ventilation and operational performance of the chimney.
Inspection services examine accessible components of the chimney system, including the fireplace or appliance, flue passage, chimney terminals and visible external elements.
The findings may identify defects requiring further investigation, specialist repair or changes to the proposed use of the chimney.
These services are particularly relevant where historic fireplaces are being brought back into use after extended periods of disuse.
The company provides internal CCTV inspection services using specialist camera equipment to examine areas of chimney construction that cannot be assessed through ordinary visual inspection.
High-resolution camera surveys can identify deterioration within masonry flues, damaged liners, obstructions, displaced components and other potential defects.
In historic buildings, this method can be valuable where the chimney structure is concealed within substantial masonry walls or where direct physical access would require disturbance of significant architectural fabric.
Camera surveys provide recorded visual evidence that can assist in understanding the condition of the chimney before decisions are made about further investigation or remedial works.
Where appropriate, inspection findings are incorporated into written reports with supporting images and recommendations.
H Firkins & Sons undertakes chimney integrity testing to investigate whether existing flues are sufficiently sound to contain and convey combustion gases safely.
Traditional masonry flues may develop cracks, openings or other defects through age, building movement, deterioration or previous alterations.
Such defects can potentially allow smoke or combustion products to escape into adjoining rooms, roof spaces or neighbouring properties.
The company employs appropriate smoke-testing procedures and specialist pressure-testing equipment to investigate the condition of chimney and flue systems.
Its published services include the use of Wöhler DP 600 pressure-testing equipment, which can provide measured information about flue airtightness.
Integrity testing may be particularly relevant following structural alterations, suspected chimney damage, changes of heating appliance or prolonged periods of disuse.
Where necessary, pressure testing can be combined with CCTV inspection to help identify the location and possible causes of defects.
The company provides detailed Condition, Performance and Compliance (CPC) chimney inspections.
These assessments examine the condition of the chimney, its operational characteristics and relevant aspects of installation compliance.
Inspection procedures may include high-resolution CCTV surveys, examination of accessible chimney components and digital draught measurements.
Where suitable test points are available, specialist equipment can be used to measure chimney draught and assess performance.
The findings are considered alongside relevant requirements for chimney construction, ventilation and the safe removal of combustion gases.
These investigations can provide useful technical information for homeowners, surveyors, architects and building professionals considering the continued use or alteration of existing chimney systems.
Before installing a new fireplace, wood-burning stove or other heating appliance, the suitability of the existing chimney should be established.
H Firkins & Sons provides pre-installation inspections to assess chimney condition, flue configuration and potential safety concerns.
The inspection may identify issues affecting appliance selection, flue dimensions, ventilation requirements or the need for remedial work.
This service is particularly relevant in historic properties, where the existing chimney may not have been designed for the proposed appliance or may contain alterations undertaken during previous periods of occupation.
The company does not itself undertake stove installation. Its role is to provide independent inspection and technical advice before installation proceeds.
Where appropriate, the company may direct clients towards suitably qualified installation specialists.
H Firkins & Sons also provides chimney inspections for purchasers and new owners of properties containing existing fireplaces or heating appliances.
A conventional building survey may identify visible defects in a chimney stack without examining the internal condition of individual flues.
Specialist inspection can therefore provide additional information about concealed defects, previous alterations, flue lining arrangements and the suitability of existing fireplaces for continued use.
The company's New Homeowner Chimney Inspection combines sweeping, internal camera inspection, smoke evacuation checks and examination of relevant installation and safety features.
Written findings can assist property owners in planning appropriate maintenance, further investigations or necessary repairs.
The inspection and maintenance of chimney systems are important aspects of historic building conservation.
Traditional chimney stacks and masonry flues may contain original construction details that should be understood before intrusive alterations or modern installations are undertaken.
Diagnostic inspection techniques can help establish the extent of deterioration and provide evidence to inform proportionate repair strategies.
Where significant defects are identified, specialist conservation advice may be required to determine appropriate methods of masonry repair, flue rehabilitation or structural intervention.
For listed buildings, alterations affecting historic chimney structures, fireplaces or associated architectural fabric may require listed building consent.
H Firkins & Sons' inspection and testing services can contribute technical evidence to the assessment and maintenance of chimney systems within historic and traditionally constructed buildings.
| Services & Expertise | |
|---|---|
| Principal Areas of Work: | Chimney sweeping, Chimney inspections, Historic chimney assessments, CCTV chimney surveys, Flue integrity testing, Chimney pressure testing, Chimney performance assessments, Chimney safety inspections, Pre-installation chimney inspections, Chimney maintenance |
| Capabilities and Specialisms: | Traditional masonry chimneys, Historic fireplaces, Victorian chimney systems, Georgian chimney flues, Chimney smoke testing, CCTV flue inspections, 4K chimney surveys, Digital draught testing, Chimney pressure testing, Wöhler DP 600 testing, Flue condition assessments, Chimney defect diagnosis, Chimney sweeping certificates, Solid-fuel appliance inspections, Pre-installation assessments, Chimney ventilation, Carbon monoxide safety, Chimney obstruction removal, Property purchase chimney surveys |
| Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships : | National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS), HETAS, Which? Trusted Traders, GQA Level 3 NVQ, ITB Registered Assessor, HETAS Registered Trainer & Assessor |
| Accreditation & Membership Details: | H Firkins & Sons is a member of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS), membership number 99/458. The company also reports HETAS registration and Which? Trusted Trader membership. Josh Firkins holds a GQA Level 3 NVQ in Inspect and Design Chimneys and Dry Solid Fuel Installations and is described by the company as a HETAS Registered Trainer and Assessor and CITB Registered Assessor for Chimney Occupations. |
| Business Details & Insurance. | |
| Company Trading Name: | H Firkins & Sons Limited |
| Company Number: | 08647267 |
