Regular chimney cleaning is important in order to help prevent dangerous creosote fires. While chimneys are not commonly used during the summer, it is essential to prepare them for colder months. Most chimney users utilize their chimney’s once the chilly fall days begin. Therefore, it is important to understand how to properly clean a chimney and what tools are needed in order to get the job done well. Below is all the information you need to help get you started:
What Tools Are Required?
In order to properly clean a chimney, you, or a chimney sweep professional will need each of the following tools:
- Drop Cloth
- Dust mask
- Flashlight
- Flue liner brush
- Long-handled brush
- Noodle brush
- Safety glasses
- Safety harness
- Shop vacuum
- Duct Tape
- Poly Sheeting
What Does the Cleaning Process Look Like?
Before beginning the cleaning process, it is important to first ensure that you have all of the proper tools and brushes, as listed above. Next, you will need to minimize the mess by laying a large canvas tarp over the hearth. You can seal this and everything else with duct tape, Next, you will want to vent to the outdoors. Now it is time for the cleaning process:
- Ram the cleaning brush up and down several times in a small section of the flue to remove chimney soot.
- Start the vacuum and begin fireplace cleaning at the top of the chimney.
- Continue adding rods and moving down the fireplace chimney until you can’t feel any more brush resistance.
- Peel back a small portion of the poly sheeting and use the long-handled brush to clean the smoke chamber.
- Use the noodle brush to remove all the soot from the smoke shelf.
- Switch back to the long-handled brush to clean the sides of the firebox.
- Finish by vacuuming the entire firebox.
Enjoying the sights, sounds and warmth of a fireplace means committing to chimney cleaning and inspection on a regular basis. Even if you don’t learn how to clean a chimney, you can take steps to reduce creosote buildup by burning only properly split and seasoned firewood and avoiding greener wood. Eliminating creosote can prevent your fireplace from becoming a fire hazard.
When is it Time to Clean Your Chimney?
Oftentimes, many people are unsure of when it is time to have a proper chimney sweep. If you use your fireplace or woodstove regularly but can’t remember the last time your chimney was cleaned, it’s probably overdue. In many cases, you can clean the chimney yourself and save a few hundred dollars. Removing ordinary chimney soot is pretty simple. However, if you have heavy creosote buildup, you may want to consider calling a professional for their services. This leads us to Turnbull Masonry and how we can help.
Why Choose Turnbull Masonry?
When hiring a professional, you should consider calling our team here at Turnbull Masonry. From the start our company in 2003 Turnbull Masonry has been a family business. Since then, we have been providing brick and masonry restoration and improvement services. We have become a leading masonry company because of our honest approach, excellent workmanship and dedicated customers.
When you contact Turnbull Masonry, you can expect an honest and comprehensive look at your masonry issue and a competitive quotation. Built upon having friendly attentive service and a commitment to excellence in every aspect of their client’s masonry project, Turnbull continues into the future with the same mindset for each client and every job.
