How to Clean Your Chimney: Best Practices for Homeowners

70 percent of chimney fires are due to failure to clean the chimney. Over time, soot, creosote, and debris build on the chimney, obstructing airflow and often causing fires. As a homeowner, you may need to learn how to clean your chimney to mitigate this risk. Given that this might not be your area of expertise, you might wonder how to do the work properly. Here are the best practices for cleaning your chimney.

Inspect Your Chimney First

Although you’re in a rush to clean your chimney, take some time to inspect it. Check for visible signs of damages like cracks, rust or loose bricks. These problems can compromise the chimney’s structural integrity and cleaning could worsen the issues.

You may need to fix these problems before cleaning the chimney. So, if you notice any signs of damage, consider seeking the help of a chimney repair company. Besides, consult this firm on how to clean your chimney properly. Consult them on using chemical cleaners and their pros and cons. The plan is to get professional guidance on the best way to clean your chimney.

Gather the Right Tools

Cleaning the chimney properly requires having the right tools. So, get a chimney brush that matches the size of your flue. If you can’t find a long enough chimney brush, consider getting extension rods to help you reach the full chimney length. Get tarps to use to cover your furniture and floor to protect them when cleaning the chimney from soot and debris.

Choose the Right Cleaning Method

You can clean the chimney either from top-down or bottom-up. You’ll need to learn how each of these methods works to decide which one to use.

Cleaning the chimney from top to bottom will require you to access the roof. You’ll need a sturdy ladder for climbing over the roof and non-slip shoes. You’ll need to carefully watch your steps when walking over the roof and cleaning the chimney.

If you’re uncomfortable with heights, consider cleaning your chimney from bottom to top. The plan is to clean it from inside your house, avoiding the hassles of getting to the roof.

Scrub the Chimney Thoroughly

After deciding the method you’ll use to clean your chimney, start scrubbing the inside of the chimney. Use the chimney brush and push it up and down the flue. Cover all the sides to ensure you remove all the creosote.

If you have not cleaned the chimney for a long time, removing the stubborn creosote can be challenging. You can overcome this obstacle by seeking professional help. The plan is to find specialists with specialized tools to clean your chimney.

Conclusion

Cleaning your chimney regularly can help you maintain it in good condition and reduce the risk of fires. You may, however, struggle to free up time to do the work yourself. Most likely, you also don’t have the necessary chimney cleaning tools. Avoid all these hassles by choosing to seek professional chimney cleaning services. Find a reputable company that you can trust to offer services that meet and exceed your expectations.