Chimney inspections: how often, and why insurers care

Updated 29 July 2026 · 4 min read

The short version: Czech rules separate sweeping from inspection. For a solid-fuel appliance up to 50 kW the flue must be swept three times a year and inspected by a qualified chimney sweep once a year. For gas and liquid fuels it is once a year for both. The rules come from Decree No. 34/2016 Coll.

The inspection report is the document your insurer will ask for after a fire.

This is the single most commonly enforced maintenance duty on a Czech house, and also the one most often misunderstood — largely because three different words get translated into English as the same thing.

Sweeping, inspection, revision — three different things

Čištění (sweeping) — removing soot and deposits. For solid-fuel appliances up to 50 kW you are allowed to do this yourself.
Kontrola (inspection) — an assessment of the condition of the whole flue system, carried out by a licensed chimney sweep who issues a written report.
Revize (revision) — a more thorough examination by a certified flue inspector, required only in specific circumstances: a new flue, a change of fuel, after a chimney fire, or when cracking is suspected.

How often, by fuel

For an appliance up to 50 kW in a house used all year round:

Fuel	Sweeping	Inspection
Solid (wood, coal)	3× a year	once a year
Liquid	once a year	once a year
Gas	once a year	once a year
Condensing gas boiler	at least once every two years

Why it matters more than it looks

A blocked flue is the most frequent cause of roof fires in Czech homes. And the practical consequence: without a written flue inspection report, your insurer can reduce or refuse a payout after a chimney fire. That single sheet of paper is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy for the property.

Practical notes for a foreign owner

Book early. Chimney sweeps are fully booked from September onwards. Arrange the annual inspection in late summer.

The report will be in Czech. Keep it anyway. You do not need to read it — you need to be able to produce it. Photograph it the day you receive it and note when the next one is due.

You can sweep, but not inspect. Doing the sweeping yourself is legal for solid fuels, but it does not replace the annual inspection, and only the inspection produces the document that matters.

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Official sources

Decree No. 34/2016 Coll. on flue systems (Czech law portal)

General information about Czech rules as of 2026, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your specific property and can change. Where it matters, follow the applicable regulations and consult a qualified professional.