Today was our annual visit from the Chimney Sweeper. We were told when we moved here the inspector will come to your house and you can not refuse the service and you must let him in it is German law! You must have your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year. I've read it the job was created back during the Nazi era and the cities are divided into "sweep" Districts. The cleaners are well trained 12 years before getting there own district and often volunteer for the fire dept. Our is very nice and knows perfect English which is a huge plus in my book.

We never use our fireplace, doesn't matter, it's the law. They also inspect your heating system, ours is brand new, doesn't matter it's the law. I'm told the cost range from 50 Euros to 100 Euros per visit but a law is a law. And I have fire issues so it is a piece of mind.

I'm a bit of a clean freak so when our soot covered sweeper came today, he had me a little worried of the mess he would leave behind. Other than the smell, not a speck of soot in my house. But I wondered about his car, his house, his washing machine, his nails etc... does he really ever come clean? Does he always smell like soot...seriously could you imagine being married to that smell forever?