There’s nothing better than a warm fire on a cold evening – especially in a town like Stourbridge, where period homes and character properties often come with open fireplaces, log burners, or old chimneys. But as the temperature drops and the heating goes on, so do the risks.
Whether you’re settling in for a cosy Christmas, renting out your property, or even preparing your home for a winter sale, now’s the time to make sure your chimney, boiler, and heating systems are safe, efficient and compliant.
In this guide, we’ve put together a practical winter home safety checklist for Stourbridge homeowners and landlords, with a focus on chimney sweeping, boiler servicing, and everything in between.
Why winter heating checks matter
As soon as cold weather hits, your home’s heating and ventilation systems go into full-time use. That means more pressure on your boiler, fireplace, flue, and gas supply.
Without regular maintenance, these systems can become:
- Inefficient, costing more to run
- Hazardous, increasing the risk of fire or carbon monoxide leaks
- Non-compliant, especially in rental properties
- A red flag for buyers if you’re trying to sell during winter
Taking the time to sweep your chimney, service your boiler, and test your detectors before winter sets in is a small investment that offers peace of mind – and can save you from costly repairs later.
How often should chimneys and boilers be serviced?
Let’s clear this up early.
Chimneys should be swept:
- Once a year, minimum
- Twice a year if you use a solid fuel fire regularly
- Always before winter, if it hasn’t been done already
Boilers should be serviced:
- Annually, by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Ideally in autumn, before the busiest period for breakdowns
If you rent out your home, annual gas safety checks are a legal requirement – and most landlords in Stourbridge now include a chimney sweep in their property maintenance calendar too.
The Stourbridge winter fireplace and boiler checklist
Here’s your complete guide to getting your home – or your rental property – winter-ready and safe to heat.
1. Book a chimney sweep
If your home has an open fireplace, log burner, or multi-fuel stove, this is your first and most important job.
A Stourbridge chimney sweep and flue inspection helps prevent:
- Blockages from soot, creosote or nesting birds
- Carbon monoxide leaks
- Chimney fires
- Smoke escaping back into the room
What to expect:
- Most sweeps take less than an hour
- There’s little to no mess with modern equipment
- You’ll get a certificate confirming the flue is clear – useful for insurers and landlords
Look for a sweep who’s registered with the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps or HETAS, especially if you plan to sell soon.
2. Service your gas boiler
Don’t wait until your heating fails mid-December. A Stourbridge boiler service will check for:
- Gas leaks
- Pressure and efficiency
- Heat exchanger condition
- Safety controls and flue integrity
It also keeps your warranty valid and may highlight small problems before they become major ones.
Tip: Always check the engineer is Gas Safe registered – and keep a copy of the certificate, especially if you’re selling or letting your home.
3. Test carbon monoxide detectors
Whether you use gas, wood, or coal, carbon monoxide (CO) risks increase in winter – especially when homes are sealed tight against the cold.
Make sure:
- A CO detector is installed in every room with a gas appliance or solid fuel burner
- Batteries are working (test monthly)
- Tenants know where detectors are and how to report alarms
Landlords must provide working detectors in rental homes by law. Homeowners should treat them as essential, not optional.
4. Inspect the fireplace or stove
Beyond the flue, your fireplace structure or stove unit needs checking too. Look for:
- Cracks in brickwork or tiles
- Warped grates or broken parts
- Excessive ash build-up
- Damaged seals or door hinges on stoves
If you’re unsure, your chimney sweep or heating engineer can advise on repair or replacement options.
Tip: Keep a copy of any repairs or servicing if you’re preparing to sell – it gives buyers confidence and protects your asking price.
5. Check ventilation and draughts
A warm home still needs to breathe. Without proper ventilation, condensation builds up – leading to damp and mould, especially in older West Midlands homes.
Do a winter audit:
- Unblock air vents and flues
- Ensure extractor fans are working in bathrooms and kitchens
- Use trickle vents on windows
- Avoid sealing off chimneys completely without ventilation
If your chimney is purely decorative, have a professional check if it’s safely capped and ventilated.
6. Insulate exposed pipes
If your boiler is in a loft, garage, or external area, frozen pipes are a risk – especially overnight.
Simple steps:
- Add lagging to pipes and valves
- Use foam pipe insulation from a DIY store
- Set your thermostat to maintain a minimum temperature
- Open cupboard doors to let heat reach internal pipes
If your property is empty or between tenants, speak to your agent about void property checks and winterisation.
7. Clean gutters and check the roof
Not strictly fireplace-related – but just as important in your Stourbridge winter home safety checklist.
Blocked gutters can lead to:
- Leaking roofs
- Damp internal walls
- Frozen overflows damaging pipework
A quick roof and gutter inspection (or a professional drone survey for hard-to-reach homes) helps protect both structural integrity and interior warmth.
8. Review your energy efficiency
If you’re preparing your home for a winter sale, energy efficiency plays a big role in how attractive – and affordable – your property looks to buyers.
Ways to boost your EPC and comfort rating:
- Add chimney balloons or flue blocks to unused chimneys
- Upgrade your boiler if it’s more than 10–15 years old
- Install thermostatic radiator valves
- Replace single glazing or seal older windows
- Fit a smart thermostat for zone heating
Buyers often ask for heating bills and EPC ratings in winter. A few small improvements now can make your property far more appealing.
Selling your home this winter? Safety checks matter
Winter viewings are all about comfort. Buyers are imagining themselves warm, safe, and settled in your space.
A home with:
- A recent boiler service
- A swept chimney
- A clean, ready-to-use fireplace
- Efficient heating and insulation
…feels like a smart buy.
If you’re selling a period property or cottage-style home in Stourbridge, the fireplace is often the centrepiece. Make sure it’s not a liability.
At Hunters Stourbridge, we help sellers prepare their homes for winter marketing – and can connect you with trusted local trades for chimney, heating and safety work.
Final thoughts: stay warm, stay safe, stay compliant
Your chimney and boiler aren’t just nice to have – they’re essential systems that need care. Taking time now to sweep, service, and inspect will keep your home safe, legal, and comfortable throughout winter.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or planning to list your property in the next few months, following this Stourbridge fireplace and boiler safety checklist gives you:
- Peace of mind
- Long-term savings
- A better outcome at sale or inspection
Need help coordinating your property’s winter readiness?
Book a free winter property consultation with Hunters Stourbridge
