In the Victorian era the number of houses with chimneys grew apace and so chimney sweeps became more important than ever. The new buildings were taller with more narrow flues. These often had angles, and were very small in places – as narrow as 14 by 9 inches. Click here to find out more about Victorian jobs!
How old were chimney sweeps in Victorian times?
These were between the ages of 5 and 10, although most were under the age of seven, and some were even as young as four. These boys were used to climb up chimneys to clean out deposits of soot.
When were chimney sweeps first used?
The professional of chimney sweeping got its start in the 16th century in England. Originally, only the ruling class in England had chimneys, and chimney sweeps had the filthy job of keeping them clean.
What it was like to be a chimney sweep in the Victorian era?
The perils of the job were vast, allowing for the fact that many a chimney would still be very hot from a fire and with some still maybe on fire. The skin of the boys would be left stripped and raw from the friction whilst a less dexterous child could possibly have found themselves completely stuck.
What did Victorian chimney sweeps wear?
These cast-offs consisted of a black coat with tails, a black top hat that was quite fashionable in those times. The outfit proved to be very practical being black in color and gave a feel or distinction to the dirty though necessary job of chimney sweeping.
When did chimney sweeps stop being a thing?
September 1875
He wrote a series of letters to The Times and in September 1875 pushed another bill through Parliament which finally stopped the practice of sending boys up chimneys.
What injuries did chimney sweeps get?
Work-related health problems included: deformed ankles, twisted kneecaps, twisted spines, inflammatory eye syndrome, and respiratory illnesses. The first industrial disease in history was suffered by young chimney sweeps.
How much did Victorian chimney sweeps get paid?
Powerless children were made apprentice chimney sweeps
For each child, the master sweep was paid 3-4 pounds by the government when the apprenticeship agreement was signed.
How did people keep clean in Victorian times?
Showers were not yet en vogue and everyone bathed to keep clean. Poorer families would have boiled water on the stove then added it along with cool water to a wooden or metal tub, usually in the kitchen area, when it was time for a deep scrub down.
Did chimney sweeps get sick?
Sir Percivall Pott
It was in 1775 that Pott found an association between exposure to soot and a high incidence of chimney sweeps’ carcinoma, a scrotal cancer (later found to be squamous cell carcinoma) in chimney sweeps.
How long did child chimney sweeps live?
Children who worked as sweeps rarely lived past middle age. Child chimney sweeps were required to crawl through chimneys which were only about 18 inches wide.
Did Victorians ever wear their hair down?
Victorian Historical Hairstyles
Some women in Victorian times often wore their hair long, down to the ground. Hairstyles were a reflection of a person’s station in life or class. Upper class women rarely wore their hair down in public in the Victorian era, since a women’s hair was considered her most valuable asset.
How did old chimneys keep rain out?
The most important part of a chimney that keeps rain out is the chimney cap. Chimney caps are a cover for the top of the chimney that usually has a slight slant. This slant allows rain to slide away from the chimney.
Why do old houses have chimneys but no fireplace?
Chimneys are most common in houses built before 1900 when older furnaces needed chimneys to remove fumes from the house. As steam, gas, and electric heating became more popular, fireplaces were no longer necessary. They just became another place where heat could escape.
What is the 3 2 10 chimney rule?
This rule means that your chimney’s shortest side needs to be at least 3 feet above the roof penetration, and its top has to be 2 feet higher than any part of the building that’s within 10 feet.
What happens if you don’t sweep chimney?
If you don’t clean your chimney regularly, soot will accumulate around the flue causing an inability to draw smoke upwards. The smoke will then be directed to your room leaving black soot on the walls, furniture, and carpeting. It causes permanent staining around the chimney in some cases.
Why were boys used as chimney sweeps?
poor parents effectively sold their children into the profession by demanding a payment from the chimney-sweeps. parents lied about their children’s ages, as smaller children were more desirable, since they could get into smaller spaces. children were used as ‘climbing-boys’ from the age of four.
Were there girl chimney sweeps?
Many children became disfigured or had stunted growth because they were placed in such unnatural positions before their bones were fully formed. Even young girls were sometimes used as chimney sweeps.
Why did chimney sweeps wear top hats?
The top hat and coats were said to have given sweeps a measure of pride in their work, and soon caught on as the de facto uniform of chimney sweeps, which has stuck right into the present day.
Did Victorian houses have fireplaces in every room?
Many people in Victorian times lived in homes without any of the modern comforts we take for granted today. People had to manage without central heating or hot water from the tap – instead they had open fires and heated water on a big cooker called a range. Most Victorian houses had a fireplace in every room.
Did Victorian bedrooms have fireplaces?
The first distinguishing feature that defines a Victorian bedroom is that it would have a fireplace, unlike this room in both the period before and the period after. In the preceeding periods, inhabitants would rely on thick blankets to keep warm and later in history, on cast iron radiators and electric heaters.