70 percent of chimney fires are caused by a failure to clean the chimney. You can mitigate this risk by cleaning your chimney at least once annually. You might, however, claim you don’t know how to do it. The good news is you can use the internet to find resources on how to clean your chimney. The objective is to learn the right way to do it. Keep reading as this blog shares step-by-step instructions on how to clean your chimney.
Gather Chimney Cleaning Tools
You’ll need to start with gathering the necessary chimney tools and materials. Buy a chimney brush, make sure it’s the right size for your chimney flue. Get extension rods, safety goggles and a dust mask. Finally, have a flashlight on hand to help you see inside the chimney and ensure a thorough cleaning.
Prepare Your Fireplace Area
Before beginning the actual chimney cleaning, cover furniture with drop cloths or tarps to catch any falling soot. If they’re easy to move items near the fireplace, take them to another room in your house. Wear your protective gear to protect yourself from direct exposure to soot and other hazardous elements.
Inspect the Chimney
Once you’re done preparing the fireplace, examine the chimney. Check the extent of buildup and check for any blockages or damages. Inspect the level of soot and creosote by using a flashlight to look up the chimney.
Don’t forget to check for signs of animal nests, debris or structural damage. Unfortunately, as a homeowner you might miss signs of minor issues. You may assume your chimney is fine yet there are various structural problems. Failing to fix these problems on time can lead to major problems which magnifies the risks of fires. So, consider involving a professional to inspect the chimney to detect problems early on when they’re easy to fix.
Clean from Top to Down
Cleaning the chimney top down ensures thorough removal of soot and creosote. You can do it by accessing the chimney via your roof. However, be careful when climbing over the roof and watch your step to minimize the risk of falling.
Once on the roof, insert the brush into the chimney and scrub the walls in an up-and-down motion, working your way down. With this cleaning approach, soot and debris fall down into the fireplace, which you can clean up later. Clean the Fireplace
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Perform a Final Inspection
Conduct a final inspection after you have finished cleaning the chimney and fireplace. Inspect the chimney flue to ensure there’s no soot, creosote, or debris. The goal is to ensure the chimney is clean to enhance safety.
Conclusion
Though you can learn how to clean your chimney yourself, it’s often better to contact an expert. You’ll avoid the hassles of shopping for chimney cleaning tools and materials. Besides, cleaning the chimney yourself can be dangerous, especially when trying to access the roof. You might fall down and suffer severe injuries. So, enhance safety by searching for the best chimney cleaning company near you.
