Cleaning Your Chimney Yourself

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

Burning fires in a chimney leads to the accumulation of soot and creosote, a flammable, sticky substance that can cause chimney fires if it’s not removed. Hiring a professional chimney sweep can get expensive, so if you use your fireplace frequently, consider picking up a few tools from the hardware store and cleaning your chimney yourself. This article provides instructions on three different methods for cleaning a chimney, as well as tips on chimney cleaning safely.

1. Determine whether the chimney needs to be cleaned. If you only clean your chimney once a year, do it in the Fall before the burning season begins. Otherwise, you risk sparking a chimney fire the first time you light up your fireplace in the Winter
2. Check the chimney for animals. Shine a flashlight up the chimney from the fireplace, and if you find an animal remove it
3. Measure your chimney flue. You have to have properly sized tools to clean the chimney properly
4. Buy chimney cleaning supplies such as a wire brush, rope, plastic tarp or drop cloth, broom, dustpan, mask, goggles and ladder
5. Dress in appropriate clothing. You should wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting messy with soot. Cover your hair and make sure you wear a mask and googles
6. Prepare your house for the cleaning. Drape a drop cloth around the fireplace and move back furniture and rugs
7. Remove the damper from the chimney flue
8. Start the cleaning process

SERVPRO of University Place / Lakewood West is here to help with all your fire restoration needs. 

253-564-1494