Burning fires in a chimney can cause soot and creosote to accumulate and cause chimney fires.If you use your fireplace a lot, it's a good idea to pick up some tools from the hardware store and clean your chimney yourself.Instructions on how to clean a chimney are provided in this article as well as tips on chimney cleaning safety.
Step 1: Should the chimney be cleaned?
If you use your fireplace frequently, you should have your chimney cleaned at least once a year.Look inside the chimney flute with a flashlight.To remove the creosote from the side of the chimney, use a pencil or plastic knife.It's time for a cleaning if it is thick.If you only clean your chimney once a year, you should do it in the fall.If you light up your fireplace in the winter, you risk sparking a chimney fire.
Step 2: The chimney can be checked for animals.
If you haven't used your chimney in awhile, it's a good idea to check for animals.Squirrels and birds like to nest there in the cooler months.If you see an animal in the chimney, take steps to have it removed.
Step 3: You can measure the chimney flue.
Proper-sized tools are required to clean your chimney.Measure the sides of your chimney.You can measure it from the top of a ladder.Determine the shape and size of the flue.It will be either square or round.The height of the chimney can be determined.If you're guessing, it's better to overestimate, so you have more than enough rope or piping to make sure the chimney brush can reach the whole chimney.
Step 4: There are chimney cleaning supplies for sale.
You can buy a chimney brush, wire or plastic at the hardware store.Measure your chimney to find the right size.The chimney brush extension pipes help you clean the whole chimney.The weighted rope could be used with the chimney brush.A wire brush.Drop cloth or plastic tarp can be used inside your house.If you want to clean your chimney from the top down, you'll need a ladder tall enough to reach your roof.A broom and dustpan.A mask and goggles.
Step 5: Appropriate clothing is what you need to dress in.
You don't mind getting messy with old clothes.You can cover your hair with a bandanna.You should wear gloves to protect your hands.If you have soot in your mouth and eyes, use a dust mask and goggles.
Step 6: It's time for the cleaning of your house.
You can drape the drop cloth or tarp around your fireplace to extend it into your living room.Light fabric can be used to cover furniture.Roll back the rugs.
Step 7: The chimney flue has a damper.
Use a small wire brush to clean the damper handle from the chimney.Remove it from the chimney and place it on the drop cloth so that it won't block the brush as you clean it.
Step 8: Climb the ladder to the roof.
Set up your ladder next to the house if you know that your roof is safe to stand on.Put the chimney brush and extensions over your shoulder and climb the ladder.If you don't like the thought of climbing a ladder or standing on your roof, you can clean your chimney from the bottom using the method outlined below.If you're unsure about the quality of your roof, if it's slanted, or if you can't keep your balance, use the other method.
Step 9: The brush and pipe should be assembled.
Attach the pipe to the brush.The brush should be inserted into the chimney.The flue should be scrubbed clean using up and down motions.You can extend the brush further down the chimney by adding another section of pipe.Continue until you have cleaned the length of the flue.Attach the weighted rope to the brush if you are using the rope and weight method.Lower the brush into the chimney by holding the end of the rope.Lift it up and down in a scrubbing motion.
Step 10: Remove the brush and extensions.
Climb down the ladder and put the supplies in your bag.
Step 11: The bottom of the chimney has to be cleaned.
The wire brush can be used to clean the bottom of the flue.
Step 12: You should clean the chimney from the bottom up.
The brush and pipe need to be assembled.Attach the pipe to the brush.The fireplace has a chimney.The flue should be scrubbed clean using up and down motions.You can extend the brush further up the chimney by adding another section of pipe.Continue until you have cleaned the length of the flue.
Step 13: You can use a pulley system with someone else.
Purchase a pulley rope system to use with your chimney brush.The brush is operated from both the roof and the fireplace with two ropes attached to it.The pulley system should be assembled with the brush.One person should take it up a ladder.The person on the roof should hold one side of the rope and drop the other side through the flue to another person waiting below.Using the ropes, pull the brush up and down to clean the flue.
Step 14: Take care of the flue's entrance.
A small door can be found at the bottom of the chimney in the basement.There will be creosote and soot there.To shovel it into a bucket, use a small spade.Attach the damper handle again.
Step 15: You can use the brush and dustpan to clean the fireplace.
Put it in the waste bucket.
Step 16: The brush and dustpan can be used to sweep up the debris from the drop cloth.
Put it in the waste bucket.
Step 17: You should dispose of the soot and creosote in accordance with the local laws.