Advice on chimneys and flues
Our chimney advice is split into two groups here: regulations and documents that apply to every flue owner, and safety and choices for when a chimney needs to be checked, repaired or lined. For each rule we give the source, the point number and the date we checked it.
- 8
- Advice
- likumi.lv, VUGD
- Sources
- 4 November 2026
- Checked
After you submit the form, we contact you within 5 minutes
Regulations and documents
- Chimney cleaning regulations. What Cabinet Regulation No. 238 and the new fire safety law say, when you need a certificate and what changes in 2027.
- How often to clean a chimney. Deadlines by fuel and appliance: wood stove, boiler, sauna stove, gas appliance and ventilation ducts.
- Can you clean your own chimney. When the owner of a private house may clean it themselves without a certificate, and when a certificate is always needed.
- Chimney report for insurance. What insurers' terms require for flues and which documents to keep.
- Chimney check before buying a house. What to check before you buy a house with a stove, fireplace or boiler, and which certificate to ask the seller for.
Safety and choices
- Chimney height above the roof. How high a chimney must be under the building code and why the draught depends on it.
- Chimney soot fire: what to do. How to recognise burning soot, why you call 112 first and what to do afterwards.
- Ceramic or stainless steel liner. How the two types of liner differ and which one suits your heating appliance.
How we check the rules
We read the regulations in the official source likumi.lv and give the document and the point for each one. We take insurers' requirements from their published terms, and statistics from the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD). If something cannot be confirmed in a primary source, we do not write it as a fact. Regulations checked 04.11.2026; from 2 January 2027 they will be replaced by new fire safety regulations, which we will check as soon as they are adopted.
Sources: Cabinet Regulation No. 238 of 19.04.2016 “Fire Safety Regulations” (likumi.lv/ta/id/281646), likumi.lv shows: loses force on 02.01.2027; the Fire Safety, Firefighting and Rescue Work Law, in force from 13.11.2025 (likumi.lv/ta/id/364042). Checked 04.11.2026.
If the advice does not cover your situation, send a request: chimney cleaning, chimney sweep's condition report or chimney lining. See the prices on the prices page.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the rules in the advice come from?
From Cabinet Regulation No. 238 “Fire Safety Regulations”, building code LBN 231-15 and the Fire Safety, Firefighting and Rescue Work Law, which we read on likumi.lv. Each rule has its point number and the date it was checked.
Can advice replace a chimney sweep's inspection?
No. The advice helps you understand what to do and when, but cracks, tar or poor draught can only be seen on site or with a camera. If you are in doubt about the condition of the flue, do not light the fire and book an inspection.
Where can I check whether a chimney sweep is qualified?
The website of the Latvian Chamber of Crafts (LAK), lak.lv, has a public register of master chimney sweeps and journeymen with the validity dates of their practice certificates. In the certificate, the chimney sweep states the name and number of their qualification document.
Send a request
A specialist contacts you within 5 minutes to confirm the job and the price.