With the days now growing shorter, and with Fall and winter right around the corner, it won’t be long until we’re stoking up the fire and getting warm and cozy for the winter.
Owning a fire or stove is a great way of keeping warm during the colder months. The major downside to owning a fire or woodburning/multi-fuel stove is the maintenance of the chimney. Chimney maintenance is an essential part of owning a fire or stove. Failing to maintain it will not only make your fire less efficient, but also poses a significant health and safety risk. An integral part of chimney maintenance is keeping it clean.
Cleaning a chimney is a big task, but it’s one that must be carried out regularly. To help make the process that little bit easier, here’s a look at several handy tips on how to clean your own chimney.
Check the Chimney for Animals or Blockages
After the summer, before you light your fire for the first time, one of the first things you should do before carrying out any chimney cleaning or maintenance is to inspect it for animals or blockages.
Before you begin cleaning your chimney, inspect the chimney for any animals or blockages such as nests or dens.
Take a flashlight and shine it up the chimney to make sure there are no animals inside. If you do find signs of life, contact the necessary animal rescue authorities who should be able to come and safely remove the animals and relocate them if necessary, for no extra fee.
Measure the Chimney and Flue
Okay, so assuming that your chimney is now free from any animals and/or obstructions and blockages, your next step before carrying out any cleaning or maintenance is to measure the chimney and flue.
If you have a safe and suitable ladder, you could measure the chimney from the top. If not however, don’t worry, but just make sure that you measure the opening, the size of the flue, and the sides of the flue through the fireplace or stove, from the bottom.
You also need to make sure that you measure the shape of the flue, as it will either be round, square, 8 inches, or 6 inches.
If you are unable to measure the height of the chimney, try to get a rough idea and then over-estimate as it is better to have too much piping or extra rope to make sure that the brush can sweep the entire length of the flue.
Purchase the Necessary Cleaning Supplies
Once you’ve measured your chimney and determined its overall size and shape, you can make your way to your nearest hardware store and pick up the necessary cleaning supplies.
In terms of how to clean your own chimney, you really need to make sure that you have the right cleaning supplies, tools, and equipment in place. This will not only help speed things up and make the job easier, it will also do a much better job. The idea behind cleaning a chimney is to sweep as much creosote off the lining of your chimney/flue as you possibly can, so make sure you get the right gear.
You’ll want things such as a chimney brush, chimney brush extension pipes, a rope pulley system perhaps, a ladder, a clean tarp or cloth to use inside the house, a chimney cleaning vacuum, flashlight, and safety kit such as gloves, goggles, and a breathing mask.
This is a dirty, messy job, so obviously you will need to make sure you’re wearing old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and potentially ruining. Oh, and appropriate footwear is also a must.
Seal Off the Fireplace if Cleaning from Above
Next, you will have to seal off your fireplace if you are cleaning from above. Simply duct tape a plastic sheet over the opening of the fireplace, and do the same over the floor to protect it.
This is a simple hack, yet it will help keep the inside of your home so much cleaner. Now you can sweep the chimney/flue with any creosote falling to the ground below. The plastic sheet will stop the soot and creosote dust from flooding into your home.
Remove the Damper
Next, locate the damper handle inside your chimney flue and remove it carefully so that it won’t obstruct the chimney brush as you sweep.
Sweep the Chimney
Whether you sweep the chimney from top to bottom, or bottom to top, the important thing in terms of how to clean your own chimney is to actually get it swept.
Carefully assemble the brush and pipe and begin attaching each section of the pipe to the brush. Now, insert the brush into the opening, feed the tube up or down the flue and begin sweeping/scrubbing.
Do it in sections to ensure that you sweep the entire length of the chimney/flue. Once you think you’ve finished, give it another sweep/scrub just to be on the safe side.
Examine the Chimney
Once you are satisfied you’ve swept the chimney properly, go ahead and examine the chimney to make sure you’ve cleaned it properly.
Take a flashlight and shine it the length of the chimney. Make sure you don’t get rid of your cleaning brush and tools at this stage, just in case you did happen to miss a section.
Once you’ve examined the chimney, if you’re satisfied it’s clean and you’ve got rid of most of the creosote, you can now begin cleaning up and putting your tools away.
Clean the Chimney Regularly
No matter what happens, to ensure you keep your chimney safe and efficient, you must make sure that you clean the chimney at least once per year.
Most people choose to clean their chimneys in late summer, just before the colder weather sets in.
Have it Swept Professionally
Finally, if you aren’t confident that you can clean your own chimney yourself, or carry out a thorough enough job, you can always hire a professional chimney sweep and have them clean the chimney for you instead.
A professional chimney sweep will have the necessary tools and equipment to carry out a professional job to a very high standard. Not only that, but they’ll ensure your home is nice and clean, and they’ll be finished much quicker too.
