DCL

DCL Gutter clearing, chimney sweeping & Jet washing

19/08/2026

How the hell have I gone from a handwritten diary and Post-it notes… to designing our own business management system? 😂

Anyone who knows me will know that technology and I have never exactly been best mates.

Over the years, we’ve tried various systems to help run DCL. Some have been good, some not so good — but I kept coming back to the same problem:

They wanted us to change the way we work to fit their software.

I wanted it the other way round.

I wanted a system built around the way DCL actually works.

So somehow, despite having virtually zero technical ability, I’ve ended up designing DCL One Hub.

Customers, jobs, our digital T-card planner, quotes, invoices, payments, reporting, vehicles, plant, Health & Safety…

Everything in one place.

And most importantly, I’ve tried to make it simple, practical and as idiot-proof as possible — because if I can use it, there really is hope for everyone. 😂

And next week, somewhat unbelievably, my idea starts becoming a reality.

Is it completely finished? No.

I’m sure there’ll be a few sharp corners to knock off, buttons to move and things we’ll only discover once we start using it properly in the real world.

But considering where this started — a handwritten diary, Post-it notes and an idea in my head — I’m pretty bloody proud of where we’ve got to.

Not bad, if I do say so myself.

🔥 DCL ONE HUB
Everything in one place.
Coming very soon.

“It was working fine last winter…”I hear those words all the time.Then I sweep the chimney and find this… 👇🐦 Birds’ nest...
01/08/2026

“It was working fine last winter…”

I hear those words all the time.

Then I sweep the chimney and find this… 👇

🐦 Birds’ nests blocking the flue.

🖤 Thick creosote and tar lining the chimney.

The frightening thing is, most homeowners have no idea what’s hiding inside until it’s swept.

A blocked chimney can stop dangerous gases from escaping, while creosote is one of the leading causes of chimney fires.

That’s why I always recommend having your chimney swept before winter, not after.

✅ Full chimney inspection
✅ Professional chimney sweep
✅ HETAS-recognised sweeping certificate

My diary always fills up once the colder weather arrives, so if your chimney hasn’t been swept in the last 12 months, now is the perfect time to book.

❤️ Thanks for continuing to support my small local business. It genuinely means the world to me.

Dom

👇 One question…

When was the last time your chimney was swept?

There’s something satisfying about loading a clean, tidy van with shiny new equipment… but it doesn’t stay that way for ...
27/07/2026

There’s something satisfying about loading a clean, tidy van with shiny new equipment… but it doesn’t stay that way for long!

This week I’ve stocked up on over £700 worth of consumables:
• 2,000 gloves
• 40 vacuum bags
• 600 smoke pellets
• New sweeping brushes
• Brand-new rods ready for another busy season

These are the things most customers never see and probably never think about when comparing quotes. The cost of keeping equipment maintained and replacing consumables soon adds up, but they’re essential if you’re going to do the job properly.

For me, it’s never about doing the cheapest job – it’s about doing the right job.

Every chimney I service is treated with the same care and attention because your fire and chimney are there to keep your family warm and safe. Investing in the right equipment and quality consumables gives me the confidence that every sweep is carried out to the highest standard, and gives you peace of mind that your appliance has been serviced correctly.

It’s all part of being a professional.

☀️ Enjoying the sunshine? Now is actually the perfect time to book your chimney sweep! 🔥It might seem strange to think a...
21/07/2026

☀️ Enjoying the sunshine? Now is actually the perfect time to book your chimney sweep! 🔥

It might seem strange to think about lighting the fire when we’re enjoying this beautiful weather, but summer is the ideal time to make sure your chimney is safe and ready for the colder months.

Over the spring and summer, birds often take an interest in chimneys. They may have built a nest, dropped debris down the flue, or, unfortunately, sometimes become trapped. A professional chimney sweep will identify and safely remove any blockages before they become a problem.

If you’ve used your stove or open fire over the winter, it should also be professionally swept at least once a year to remove soot and creosote build-up.

Why should you have your chimney swept?

✅ Removes dangerous soot and creosote that can lead to chimney fires.
✅ Checks for bird nests and other blockages.
✅ Helps your stove or fire burn more efficiently.
✅ Improves airflow and reduces the risk of smoke entering your home.
✅ Helps reduce unpleasant odours during the warmer months.
✅ Gives you peace of mind before the heating season begins.

🏠 Did you know? Many home insurance policies require your chimney to be regularly maintained. If the worst were to happen and you suffered a chimney fire, not having your chimney professionally swept and certificated could affect an insurance claim.

As a HETAS Registered Chimney Sweep, every sweep includes a recognised certificate for your records.

🍂 Don’t wait until autumn when diaries fill up quickly. Beat the rush, choose a date that suits you, and have everything ready long before the first cold evening arrives.

📅 Get in touch today to book your appointment.

⭐ Join the hundreds of happy customers who have trusted DCL with their chimney sweeping.

Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the rest of the summer! ☀️🔥

🔥 Stove Restoration & Safety Check Complete 🔥This poor stove was crying out for some TLC! 🥵Even in what felt like 900° h...
22/06/2026

🔥 Stove Restoration & Safety Check Complete 🔥

This poor stove was crying out for some TLC! 🥵

Even in what felt like 900° heat, I got stuck in and carried out a full sweep and service:

✅ Full chimney and stove sweep
✅ Removed and cleaned the glass
✅ Removed failed rope seals
✅ Pulled out the “jigsaw puzzle” of thermal bricks that had been glued into the stove by a previous sweep 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️
✅ Cleaned and polished the stove
✅ Rebuilt and fitted correctly
✅ Safety checked and ready to use

The difference speaks for itself! A stove isn’t just about looking good – damaged seals, incorrectly fitted fire bricks and poor maintenance can affect both performance and safety.

One happy customer ✔️
One very sweaty Dom ✔️🥵
One beautiful, safe stove ready for the colder months ✔️🔥

If your stove hasn’t been serviced or swept recently, now is the perfect time to get it sorted before the winter rush starts.

📍 Covering Medway & Kent
🌐 DCL Group⁠

🔥

Fu*k me I’m cycling now apparently to price up jobs 😂😂😂😂😂Yes. In the UK, if you use a bicycle for business journeys, you...
25/05/2026

Fu*k me
I’m cycling now apparently to price up jobs
😂😂😂😂😂
Yes. In the UK, if you use a bicycle for business journeys, you can usually claim a tax-free mileage allowance from your company or employer.

HMRC’s approved cycle mileage rate is:

* 20p per mile for business travel by bicycle.

That’s designed to cover wear and tear, maintenance, tyres, chains, etc. You do not pay tax on it if it’s within the HMRC approved rate.

Examples of valid business mileage:

* Riding to visit customers.
* Going between jobs/sites.
* Going to suppliers.
* Riding between offices or business premises.

What does not count:

* Normal commuting from home to your regular workplace.

If you run your own limited company:

* Your company can reimburse you 20p/mile tax-free.
* Keep a mileage log:
* Date
* Destination
* Purpose
* Miles ridden

Example:

* 1,500 business miles per year × 20p = £300 tax-free reimbursement.

Now here’s the useful bit many people miss:

If the bike is bought personally:

* You claim the 20p mileage from the company.

If the company buys the bike:

* The company may be able to claim it as a business asset/capital allowance.
* But then you generally would not also claim the 20p mileage personally because the company already owns the bike and pays the costs.

There’s also the UK government’s Cycle to Work scheme through Cycle to Work Alliance, which lets employees get bikes tax-efficiently via salary sacrifice.

Frankly, from a business angle, a bike for local quoting and customer visits is not a bad move at all:

* Cheap to run.
* Easy parking.
* Looks approachable and environmentally conscious.
* In London traffic, sometimes faster than a van. Nothing says “efficient operator” like overtaking stationary traffic while white vans are fermenting in a queue.

💥 THIS DRIVEWAY WASN’T OLD… IT WAS JUST DIRTY 💥People spend thousands replacing block paving that just needs a proper cl...
12/05/2026

💥 THIS DRIVEWAY WASN’T OLD… IT WAS JUST DIRTY 💥

People spend thousands replacing block paving that just needs a proper clean.

This customer thought the colour had completely faded… turns out it was buried under years of black spot, algae, dirt and weeds 👀

One pressure wash later and the original driveway was back doing its job properly again 🔥

✔️ Deep cleaned
✔️ W**d removal
✔️ Re-sanded joints
✔️ Massive kerb appeal upgrade

The mad part?
Most homeowners don’t even realise how bad it’s got because they see it every day.

Imagine pulling onto THIS instead of the before photo 👌

📍Covering Medway & Kent
📩 Message Dcl for a free quote before the autumn weather hits
⭐ Trusted locally with 330+ 5-star reviews

Your driveway is the first thing people see.
Make it look like someone actually cares about the property.

One thing people don’t always see about being self-employed…You’re not just doing the job—you’re chasing invoices, handl...
01/05/2026

One thing people don’t always see about being self-employed…

You’re not just doing the job—you’re chasing invoices, handling admin, sorting problems, and dealing with everything in between… all while being a part-time parent, full-time dog owner, and praying the washing machine holds on for another month.

Some days test your patience more than others.

But then you get those customers who genuinely appreciate what you do—look after you, treat you well, and remind you why you started in the first place.

That’s what makes the difference.

It’s a constant mix of highs and lows, but no matter what—tomorrow we go again.

Respect to everyone out there doing it all on their own 👊

🚨 BIRDS DOWN YOUR CHIMNEY? 🚨It’s nesting season, and right now there’s a high chance birds are getting stuck in chimneys...
29/04/2026

🚨 BIRDS DOWN YOUR CHIMNEY? 🚨

It’s nesting season, and right now there’s a high chance birds are getting stuck in chimneys.

👉 I’ve already had 5 emergency callouts THIS WEEK alone

If you can hear scratching, flapping, or noise in your chimney… don’t ignore it.Birds can quickly become trapped, injured, or worse.

✅ Fast emergency call out✅ Safe & humane removal✅ HETAS registered technician✅ Fully insured & local

📞 Call : 07500 333 649
🌐 dcl-group.online

⚠️ Don’t wait until it becomes a bigger problem — I’m ready when you need me.

☀️ The sun’s finally making its yearly appearance… but before you forget about your fire, now’s the perfect time to get ...
23/04/2026

☀️ The sun’s finally making its yearly appearance… but before you forget about your fire, now’s the perfect time to get it sorted.

Why wait until winter rush? Get ahead and give your stove or fireplace the MOT & service it deserves 🔧🔥

✔️ Chimney sweeping✔️ Full stove inspections✔️ Safety checks & advice✔️ Clean, professional service every time

With over 320 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google reviews, you’re in safe hands.

✅ HETAS Registered✅ Reliable & tidy✅ Covering Medway & Kent

📩 Message now to book in

Address

Rainham

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 2pm

Telephone

+447500333649

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