About H Firkins & Sons – London Chimney Sweeps Since 1860
H Firkins & Sons is a family-run London chimney sweeping business established in Crouch End in 1860. The business remains in the Firkins family today, with Graham Firkins and his son Josh continuing a tradition that has passed through generations.
Based in Southgate, H Firkins & Sons provides chimney sweeping, inspections and specialist chimney services across London and surrounding areas, combining traditional family knowledge with modern equipment, training and diagnostic methods.
The Firkins family story
H Firkins & Sons chimney sweeps, established in Crouch End, London N8 in 1860.
The business was started by Harry Firkins, who employed his sons.
The Firkins’ in the 1850’s moved from Droitwich, and decided to make their fortune in the glamorous art of chimney sweeping.
The only equipment he carried were chimney brushes, cane rods and sheets.
These were transported on his hand cart. He covered a lot of miles.
Traditionally he alerted people as he walked the streets by shouting ‘sweep,sweep’.
When he hung up his chimney brushes on his retirement, his sons took over the business.
Families, being more prolific, than today, there were a lot of Firkins walking the streets of London!
The business thrived and was always passed from father to son.
Cyril Firkins, Graham’s father, had brothers who were all sweeps.
As their lives changed with marriages and children, they gradually left London.
Leaving in sole charge of Firkins chimney sweeps, Cyril. Cyril retired in 1997.
This leaves Graham Firkins at the helm.
Graham has a son Josh, who has been sweeping chimneys since 2004.
Now Josh has three children, all chimney sweeps in waiting. Henry born in 2012, George born in 2016 and Ottilie born in 2023.
H Firkins & Sons today
More than 160 years after the family began sweeping chimneys in London, H Firkins & Sons remains a working family business. Graham and Josh continue to serve homes across London and the surrounding areas, carrying forward the experience accumulated through generations of chimney sweeps.
The job itself has changed considerably. Modern chimney sweeping is not simply about brushes and rods: inspection, testing, specialist equipment and an understanding of modern chimney systems are now an important part of the work.
Some things have also gone full circle. Earlier generations of the Firkins family travelled around London carrying their sweeping equipment by bike and hand cart. Today the business uses a modern zero-emission electric cargo bike for many London appointments – a 21st-century version of a very old Firkins tradition.
You can learn more about the family’s history, professional expertise and the chimney services provided by H Firkins & Sons throughout the website.