In Sweden we have rules. Oh sure we also have rights but a lot of
rules.
The law stipulates that a certified chimney sweeper sweeps and
checks our chimneys and furnaces with a certain intervall (depending
on what fuel you are using). The law also stipulates that the prop-
erty owner can do this by themself if they can prove they have the
knowledge and tools to do so. We need a permit for this.
So the municipality decides if you have the proper knowledge. They
also, are supposed to, provide the proper education (for a fee of
course) so that we, the property owners, can prove we got the right
knowledge.
Let's back up about 6 monts..
The chimney sweeper had been to my house while I was working. No
problem, this was agreed. I did the proper preparations for him.
Putting up the ladder and turning of the furnace before I went. He
usually just starts the furnace when he's done.
I got back from work later and I usually clean the furnace and
check on things myself. I burn wood pellets so the furnace needs
cleaning every couple of weeks anyway..
This time I notice that one of the grates (a baffel to be exact) is
severly bent out of shape. I mean severly. So naturally I get a
little pissed off. I'm paying alot for that chimney sweeper to come
and bust up my furnace and not even letting me know.
I take pictures and send to the chimney sweeper and his goons. I
want my grate replaced. The sweepers explanation to why this happe-
ned is baffeling (!). However they will not help me fix this issue.
They haven't done anything wrong. Remember, I'm forced, by law, to
pay for this "service".
So naturally I did what any sane man should've done a long time ago:
Apply to the municipality to do my own god damn chimney sweeping!
My first time applying I got a "No!". You need to take this course
first. Okay I say, I'll pay and take the course. Problem is they
are not arranging any courses. I point out this dilemma to them but
the answer is still; You have to take this course first. After some
time they have a date set for the course set and I apply to join.
I'm the only one applying so the course get's cancelled. Naturally
I appeal to them to just let me prove I have the knowledge and give
me the permit. I actually do have the proper knowledge by the way.
This is something I do at work, and I'm a trained firefighter and I
have a lot of other credentials which in my opinion is better than
attending a 3 hour long course on the laws of chimney sweeping.
The laws and regulations concerning this issue is simple and all
documentation is available to us citizens to study on our own.
So after this debacle I, once again, apply for the permit.
Pointing out the stupidity to demand a course that isn't provided
in order to hand out the permit. And the course is not even a form-
al demand for getting the permit, just a simple way for the munici-
pality to secure that we know the laws and regulations if something
happens. Basic ass covering stuff.
A couple of weeks after my second application someone calls me:
- It's about your application to sweep your own chimney sir
- Yes..
- Do you know how to do it?
- Yes..
- Do you have the tools?
- Yes..
- Could you get a signed piece of paper from someone saying you
know this?
- Yes, how about my employer sir?
- Fine. You get a signed piece of paper and I'll get you your
permit.
- Excellent, I´ll send it to you tomorrow. Thank you!
- Bye bye then.
- Bye.
Altough this is a long text, and the permit isn't cleared yet,
it doesn't really reflect all the ins and outs in this matter.
It's been a struggle just to flip off my chimney sweeper and his
goons!
The fact of the matter is that I have always swept my own chimney
because the professional sweeper does a really poor job. Still got
to pay the fee though. Remember, it's the rule!
But on a more serious note it's a mob like mentality with the chim-
ney sweeper companies. There's only one company in the south of
Sweden. Hiring another company to travel and do one chimney is of
course stupid expensive. You have to have them do it (unless, the
permit). Rescheduling an appoinment, which they just send out, is
almost impossible.
Hopefully I'll soon get my permit. Then I'll show them all! And
they probably couldn't care less.
