How To Clean Your Chimney In 3 Not So Easy Steps!}

How to clean your chimney in 3 not so easy steps!

by

LilacJames

Step 1: Preparation

First you need to determine whether or not your chimney needs cleaning. Generally they need cleaning at least once a year, but youll need to do it more often if you regularly use your fireplace. Use a pencil or plastic knife to scrape off some of the creosote that has accumulated on the side of the chimney. If it is an eighth of an inch thick or more, its time for your chimney to be cleaned.

If you only clean your chimney once a year, do it in the autumn, before the burning season begins. If you dont, youll be risking sparking a chimney fire the first time you light up for the winter.

Before you begin, check the chimney for animals. Birds and squirrels like to nest in there, particularly in the colder months. Use a torch to look inside for creatures and if you find any, take steps to have them removed.

Youll then need to measure your chimney flue. This is because in order to clean your chimney youll need properly sized tools. Measure the sides of your chimney from the bottom, through the fireplace. Or you could climb up a ladder and measure it from the top. Your flue will either be square or round and measure 6 or 8. Youll also need to know the height of your chimney. If you guess, its better to be over, so that you have more than enough extra rope or piping to make sure the chimney brush reaches the entire length of the chimney.

Youll then need to buy chimney cleaning supplies. You should be able to find them at your local hardware shop.

Youll need:-

A chimney brush, either wire or plastic. Use your chimneys measurements to buy the right size.

Chimney brush extension pipes, to help you clean the whole length of the chimney. Or instead you could buy a weighted rope designed to be used with the chimney brush, or a rope pulley system.

A smaller stiff wire brush

A plastic drop cloth or tarp to use inside your house

A ladder tall enough to reach your roof, if you plan to clean your chimney from the top down.

A broom and dustpan

A dust mask and goggles

Once you have the supplies you need, put on some old clothes that you dont mind ruining and cover your hair. You may want to wear gloves to protect your hands. Be sure to use a dust mask and goggles to prevent soot from getting into your eyes and mouth. Then prepare your house for the cleaning. Drape your drop cloth or tarp around your fireplace, extending it out into your living room. Use sheets or tarps to cover furniture and roll back your expensive rugs.

Then youll need to remove the damper from the chimney flue. The damper handle is located inside your chimney. Once removed, use the small wire brush to clean it off. Detach it from the chimney and put it to one side on the drop cloth, so that it doesnt obstruct the chimney brush when youre doing the cleaning.

Step 2: Cleaning the Chimney

There are three ways to clean a chimney, from the top down, from the bottom up or using a pulley system with a partner.

Only clean your chimney from the top down if youve made sure your roof is safe to stand on and if youre comfortable doing it. Fill a back pack with the chimney brush and extensions, put it on and climb the ladder. Assemble the brush and one section of pipe. Attach the first piece of pipe to the brush. Insert the brush into the chimney. Using up and down motions, begin to scrub the flue clean. Add another section of pipe if you need to extend the brush further down the chimney. Continue like this until youve cleaned the entire length of the flue. Alternatively, if you are using the rope and weight method, attach the weighted rope to the brush. Hold the end of the rope and lower the brush into the chimney. Lift it up and down in a scrubbing motion along the entire length of the flue. When finished, dissemble the brush and extensions or detach the rope. Place the supplies in your back pack and climb back down the ladder. Then use the small wire brush to clean the bottom of the flue that you may have missed with the brush.

To clean the chimney from the bottom up, assemble to brush and one section of pipe. Attach the first piece of pipe to the brush. Insert the brush into the chimney through the fireplace. Using up and down motions, begin to scrub the flue clean. Add another section of pipe to enable you to extend the brush further up the chimney. Continue like this until youve cleaned the entire length of the flue.

To use a pulley system with a partner you will need to attach two ropes to the brush, one on the top and one on the bottom. The brush is then operated from both the roof and the fireplace.

Step 3: Commence clean up!

Whichever method you choose to use, youll find once youve finished that youve made an almighty mess. At the very entrance to the chimney you should find a small door that leads to underneath the flue. The creosote and soot will have collected there. Use a spade to shovel it out and into a waste bucket. Then re-attach the damper handle. Use your dust pan and brush to clean the area around the fireplace and clean off the drop cloth. Youll need to dispose of the creosote and soot in accordance with your local councils rules. Since it is a flammable substance, you are not allowed to put it in the bin.

Alternatively . . . call your local chimney sweep and save yourself the stress and hassle!

Karen writes on a number of topics from travel and education to parenting and politics. She herself lives in a beautiful thatched cottage and her chimney maintenance is taken care of by

Sweepover

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How to clean your chimney in 3 not so easy steps!}