Many people do not have much idea of what a chimney sweep does on a day-to-day basis, which is why one brave journalist volunteered to step into the world of chimney cowls and flue accessories for the day.
In an article for the Leatherhead Advertiser, Chris Madden described his experience tagging along with Malcolm Carvill, a local sweep who showed him the ropes.
He was put straight to work fetching rods and dust blankets, as well as removing loft insulation that was blocking the chimney at the first house. However, Mr Madden learned that above all sweeping is a people business, as Mr Carvill was happy to tell him.
"I like to have a laugh and a joke with the customers. It's a personal trade, you're wandering around in their house," said the sweep.
Mr Carvill also has some interesting sidelines to his business: he occasionally attends weddings as a traditional "lucky chimney sweep", as well as driving an ice cream van in the summer months.
In the Southland Times last month, sweep Wayne Wilson said coal is often the cause of problems in chimney cowls.