Lifehack logo

How and when to Clean Your Chimney

Nothing says home sort of a wood-burning fireplace. Gas-powered and gel fireplaces do have their strong points, especially when it involves simple use. But...

By Sanjuana CuellarPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
Like
How and when to Clean Your Chimney

Nothing says home sort of a wood-burning fireplace. Gas-powered and gel fireplaces do have their strong points, especially when it involves simple use. But only a true wood-burning fireplace, with its deep crackle and glowing orange embers, is capable of sparking such a way of place within the imagination of house owners.

Realism comes at a price. A chimney that reluctantly draws smoke can cause a sooty, smelly home interior. A poorly maintained chimney also can cause a terrifying phenomenon referred to as a chimney fire.

In many cases, the cause may be a dirty chimney. Learning when and the way to wash your chimney can help improve indoor air quality and stop devastating chimney fires.

What Causes an Unclean Chimney

Wood fires don't burn cleanly. When wood burns, it releases a number of contaminants that coat the within of the chimney.

Creosote, an oily, black substance, is one byproduct of wood-burning fires. Also, organic, flammable debris can enter the chimney, brought by the weather or by animals. Wind can deposit leaves and twigs in chimneys lacking flue caps.

What Causes an unclean Chimney

Birds and vermin can nest in chimneys or otherwise bring unwanted materials.

Why You Want to Clean Your Chimney

Without cleaning your chimney on a daily basis, you'll begin to experience a slowdown in burning wood. Fires are going to be more reluctant to start out and that won't burn with the maximum amount of vigor as before.

But the main reason for cleaning a chimney is to avoid a chimney fire. Chimney fires begin with snaps and pops as loud as gunshots, getting to a deep, rumbling sound. Oily, black, flaming creosote rains down into the firebox.

When the hearth starts, it starts like an explosion. Flames blast out of the highest of the chimney and backtrack into the firebox. Thanks to thermal expansion, the flue may crack at some unreachable midpoint and shoot flames into the walls from within.

Why You Want to Clean Your Chimney

Chimney fires typically can't be controlled by the homeowner. Because firefighters need to shoot water from the highest downward, the house suffers damage from flooding. In many cases, the whole home is lost.

When to wash Your Chimney

Chimneys should be cleaned no later than the first fall, before fire burning season. If you select to rent a chimney sweep, you'll expect a fast turnaround if you've got them to come earlier, ideally within the summer. For self-cleaning, late summer is the best time, since you'll calculate a dry, safe roof and mild conditions.

In addition to scheduled chimney cleanings, you ought to clean when any of those conditions are present:

  • Soot and creosote tend to fall under the firebox during a fireplace
  • Honeycomb textured creosote builds abreast of the within of the chimney
  • Creosote is quite 1/4-inch thick
  • You burn tons of artificial logs
  • You are an important fireplace user
  • You burn green or otherwise unseasoned firewood

How to Clean Your Chimney

You may prefer to call during a chimney sweep or clean the chimney by yourself.

If the chimney has not been cleaned for a while, it's knowing have a chimney sweep do the primary cleaning. Stay safe by practicing good ladder safety and by having an assistant monitor you once you are on the roof.

Tools and Materials

  • Chimney brushes
  • Fiberglass extension rods
  • Shop vacuum with dust filter
  • Extension ladder
  • Sheet plastic
  • Painter’s tape and adhesive tape
  • Dust mask and safety glasses
  • Cordless drill with a screwdriver bit

Seal Up the fireside

Downstairs at the fireside, fully open the damper. stop a generous section of sheet plastic, about six feet long by four feet wide, and tape it on the ground ahead of the fireside with the painter’s tape or adhesive tape. Cut another piece of sheet plastic in order that it's a minimum of 12 inches longer and wider than the opening of the fireside. Tape this over the fireside to seal it against debris.

Go to the Roof

Place the ladder against the house in order that you'll gain access to the roof. Bring your chimney cleaning tools up to the roof. For safety, have your assistant hold the ladder. Also, you'll need your cordless drill and a dust mask.

Remove Chimney Caps

To access the flue, remove the chimney caps by arising the screws on the caps together with your cordless drill.

Remove Chimney Caps

Place the caps well far away from you in order that you are doing not tripping over them or accidentally kick them off the roof.

Prepare the Chimney Cleaning Brush

Turn the chimney sweeping brush onto the primary extension rod. Keep the extra rods nearby because you'll get to add them to the primary rod.

Scrub the Chimney

Keeping just one rod on the comb at this point, scrub the chimney by starting at the highest and slowly working downwards. Scrub until you reach the top of the primary rod. Take your next rod and screw it onto the rear of the primary rod. Continue scrubbing downwards, adding more rods, until you can't go any farther.

Scrub as You Remove the comb

Do not remove the comb in one motion. Instead, take this chance to lightly scrub and down as you pull the rod assembly upward. Once you reach a joining point, remove a rod and set it aside.

Finish Roof Operations

The roof side of this project is nearly finished. Replace the chimney caps. Gather your tools and hand them right down to your assistant. Exit the roof and take away the ladder.

Finish Downstairs

At the fireside, wait about ten minutes for the dust and debris to settle. Carefully peel away the plastic covering the firebox opening and wad it up to surround any dust that has adhered to the within. Discard the plastic.

Clean visible areas that you simply can reach with the smaller chimney cleaning brush. Suck up all debris with the shop vacuum. Remove all tools, then wad up the flooring plastic to surround all fallen debris.

how to
Like

About the Creator

Sanjuana Cuellar

Hey! I am Sanjuana ​and welcome. I am an individual who is positive about every aspect of life. I am a contant writer.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.