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Some folks sleep together the Romance language of a wood - burning fire . Others may prefer the all - dark warmth of a wood stove . But almost everyone can agree they ’d prefer their fires to remain safely in the firebox of their chosen appliance and not roaring up their chimney , burning at temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit .

A clean labial pipe is critical for avoiding a ruinous lamp chimney fire . While the undertaking might seem intimidating — what if you mess up somehow?—cleaning a lamp chimney is surprisingly loose . out front , take how to scavenge a lamp chimney , including a tilt of tools you necessitate to get the occupation done .

Chimney sweep is with his tool on the chimney to the fireplace to turn.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Why is it important to clean your chimney?

Cleaning a lamp chimney is incredibly significant , becausea lamp chimney ’s functionis to allow unsafe chemical substance and gasses to escape from the abode . During the burning outgrowth , a hearth or wood stove produce smoke . The smoke is full of gasses and a chemical chemical compound squall creosote . Creosote is a sticky , tar - like means , and it likes to grab onto every control surface it can as it travels up the lamp chimney .

Some creosote buildup is normal on forest stove doors and even the sides of the chimney , and can be removed with acreosote cleaner . Routine cleaning will help derogate the peril creosote poses in the lamp chimney , though . Considerable creosote buildup in a lamp chimney is almost like rocket fuel , await for ignition . Creosote is improbably flammable and will burn at temperatures in inordinateness of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit . Those temperatures can crack lamp chimney flues and stimulate the fire to spread to the rest of the home .

In fact , some estimate hold that serious collection of creosote contribute to about 25 percent of allhouse fervor . Folks who have experience chimney fervency often key the noise number from the chimney as sound like a freightage power train going by . It ’s terrifying stuff .

Man working, cleaning out chimney at top of house.

Photo: istockphoto.com

clean your chimney also give you an opportunity to ascertain there are no other obstructions . snort , bees , squirrels , branches , and folio can all clog a chimney and prevent the necessary updraft to remove the smoke and chemicals caused in the combustion process . ( Unless you have the appetite for smoke squirrel , it ’s estimable to chase them from the chimney before the first flack of the season , anyway . )

Finally , a clear chimney is an effective lamp chimney . With the proper amount of airflow coursing through the fireplace or wood kitchen range , the Mrs. Henry Wood can cauterize hotter ( albeit quicker ) , and produce more thermal energy . If a chimney is choked by obstruction , it wo n’t extract enough reinvigorated air into the firebox , preventing optimal burning .

How often should you clean your chimney?

Chimney cleaning should be part of your even housemaintenance political platform . The good rule of thumb ? Clean it right before the heating system time of year starts , so once a year . This guarantee that there are no impedimenta in the chimney flue when the burning season starts , and the chances of wildlife setting up shop for the rest of the season are pretty minimal .

It ’s also a adept thought to inspect a chimney once during the burning season , if conditions allow . This is particularly important if the wood you ’re burning is n’t particularly well - seasoned ( as is often the display case with late - time of year woodwind instrument deliveries ) . Just be sure to give the chimney slew of metre to cool down ( at least a day ) before scrutinise , and ensure that there are n’t any embers in the wood kitchen range that can reignite with the introduction of O .

If you ’re not confident with the condition of your lamp chimney during the season , it may be best to hire achimney specialistto execute an inspection .

Ash removal from the fireplace. A man’s hand in a plaid shirt holds a shovel with ash from the fireplace.

Photo: istockphoto.com

How to Reduce Creosote Buildup

you’re able to reduce the amount of coal-tar creosote that builds up in your chimney by just exchange a few of your wood - burn use .

Here ’s a lead for folks who wish to set their Sir Henry Wood stoves up to burn all dark : When you wake up , burn a hot fire right away . This is a prank that sometime - schoolwood burnersused to forestall creosote buildup from the nighttime before . Feed the kitchen range and let plenty of flow of air ( 500 to 600 stage Fahrenheit measure by aflue pipe thermometer ) for 20 to 30 minutes , and then keep a labial pipe temperature of around 300 to 400 degrees for the eternal sleep of the day .

Tools & Materials

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Project Overview

Working Time : 2 hoursTotal Time : 3 hoursSkill Level : BeginnerEstimated price : $ 50 to $ 100

Before You Begin

The best way to scavenge a lamp chimney is to draw near it from the roof , but climbing onto a ceiling poses its own challenge . ensure that the run is secure and that you have good foothold before stepping onto the roof . Once on the roof , mind the shingles can be slippery when loaded , or when they ’re starting to delaminate . Always take extreme tending when scaling ladder and roof , and have a picket on the ground ready to facilitate you should you demand it .

How to Clean a Chimney

While creosote might be scary , the cognitive process of learning how to clean your chimney is n’t all that hard . Just follow these pace to ensure your lamp chimney is clear and burning expeditiously this year .

Step 1: Clean and seal your fireplace or wood stove.

Cleaning a lamp chimney is much easier when starting with a clean wood kitchen stove or open fireplace . take any ash and coals ( check that there are no live coal before remove ! ) , as well as any logarithm stands or other hardware that might be in the way . Brush dust out of the recession and practice the workshop vac to remove any stray dust .

Also , there ’s no style to avoid dust when cleaning a chimney , but you may contain it . Use wooden-headed charge card sheeting and seal the hearth . videotape it to the brick or fireplace surround to ensure that it ’s evenhandedly airtight , and that swim ash wo n’t be able-bodied to head for the hills into the base . Throw drop curtain material down on the cape as well .

To assist minimize the mess even further , trim a small hole in the charge card , insert the hooter of the shop vac , and tape the honker to the plastic to seal the fix . This is an excellent chance to utilize a remote - controlled shop vac likethis example from DeWalt(you’re able to thank us later ) .

Chimney Sweep cleaning on roof of house cleaning dirty chimney

Photo: istockphoto.com

For wood kitchen stove , simply keep the doorway shut for the first part of this outgrowth .

Step 2: Climb onto the roof.

Once the fireplace is sealed from the rest of the theater , grab amulti - screwdriver , a pair ofpliers , and a torch and place them in your pocket or dick whang . If you have a remote control for the shop vac , site it on your wrist and control it works . Don your body of work glove , guard glasses , and dust masquerade , as well . It ’s fourth dimension to climb the roof , and you ’ll need these tools once you get up there .

Set up the ladder so that there are at least three rungs above the edge of the roof . These rung offer a handhold as well as some counterweight above the ceiling to keep the run in stead . Have a supporter hired hand you the chimney brushes and rods .

As always , be careful when obtain on and off the roof and ravel . If you ’re not comfortable with ladders , roofs , or heights in universal , it ’s good to call a professional . Many of themost life-threatening DIY projectsare so dangerous because of tiptop , and it ’s best not to take the risk .

a male chimney sweep cleans the chimney from soot on the roof of a village house, preparation for the heating season

Photo: istockphoto.com

Pro tip : For unconscionable roofs , work on the pinnacle side of the lamp chimney . This will give you something to calm yourself and prevent falling .

Step 3: Remove the chimney cap.

Most chimneys have a cap on top that attaches to the flue . They ’re hold one with screws or bolt of lightning , and they ’re relatively easy to take away . A Holy Scripture of caution , however : Be certain to peek into thechimney capfirst to insure there are n’t any surprises inside ( namely , bees or wasps ) .

Once removed , place the chimney cap safely away to prevent stepping on it and slipping .

Step 4: Inspect the chimney.

Grab your torch and take a smell down the chimney flue . If it ’s a slight dusty , turn on the remote - curb store vac to deplumate the dust downward and by from your cheek .

While look down the chimney , look for star sign of creosote buildup . pocket-sized bump and deposition are wholly normal ( they may even be shiny ) , but any running coal-tar creosote that looks like a liquid state is a bad sign of the zodiac , and you may need tocall a professional person for chimney cleaningif this DIY cleanup does n’t work .

Now is also the clock time to look for any obstruction or damage that might exist . If you see visible cracking in the flue pipe , wildlife nests or carcass , or large items in the chimney , you ’ll probably require a professional to repair or take these items and check the flue for safety .

Chimney sweep wearing a mask for protection whilst cleaning chimney - screwing the chimney sweep brush as it ascends the chimney

Photo: istockphoto.com

STEP 5: Brush the chimney.

Once you ’re confident this is still a DIY job , it ’s time to set about brushing . start out by fit the largestchimney brushthat will jibe down the flue on the terminal of achimney brush rod(they commonly chouse on , but there are other types as well ) . cautiously press the lamp chimney light touch into the flue and brush up and down several time . Make certain theshop vacis guide as this will make a set of dust .

Once you ’ve brush back and forth , add another gat to the oddment of the rod bond to the brushing and continue brush lower . The rod will likely deform more , and the friction will make the gesture hard , but continue until you ’ve brush up and down multiple times .

go along contribute rods until you ’ve give the damper . If you ’ve arrive at a smaller subdivision of stovepipe , remove the light touch , fit it with a lowly lamp chimney brush , and continue the process until the small tobacco pipe is clean .

under a large blue sky, the bees invaded a chimney on the roof of a house

Photo: istockphoto.com

Note : At first , each pass will be difficult because the creosote is preventing gentle passage . However , after the flue pipe is clean , it will be much easy to push the brush through , at which point it may be time to add another perch .

Step 6: Inspect your work.

Once you ’ve brush all of the lamp chimney labial pipe that you’re able to touch , slowly remove the encounter from the lamp chimney ( slow speed preclude the bristle from flick debris at you while removing it ) . Allow the dust to settle for a few minutes while the shop vac is still carry .

Once you ’re able to see into the flue , audit it with the torch to ensure that all of the build - up has been removed and that the chimney fluke is uncontaminating . Once clean , carefully withdraw the rod and clash and give them down to your helper .

Step 7: Replace the chimney cap and carefully climb down.

Inspect the lamp chimney cap to ensure that it ’s in expert build and that you did n’t damage it during the cleaning process . Place it back on top of the lamp chimney and secure it in place with the screwdriver or pliers and the original ironware . Lift up to secure that it ’s secure .

Once you ’re slaked that the detonating machine is secure , carefully walk down the cap toward the ladder and wax down .

Step 8: Clean the damper and firebox.

The process of cleaning the flue pipe will degenerate piles of flakey , chunky coal-tar creosote and other particles onto the muffler and into the firebox . Ensure that the dust has settled by giving the open fireplace or wood stove 30 to 60 transactions to settle . After that point , remove the workshop vac ’s hosiery from the plastic and carefully remove the plastic from around the firebox .

Use the flashlight to peer inside the chimney and settle the piles of creosote . apply the shop vac to suck up any loose piles . Use a treat encounter to reach up around the damper and knock down any debris . If the damper is dirty , expend a conducting wire brush to houseclean it ( you do n’t need to take away it ) .

The process is unlike forwood range . unplug the wood range from the chimney by removing the section of sinister stove tube ( you may require to slide the wood stove slightly to do this , so engage your assistant again ) . With the pipe removed , you should be able to see into the top of the wood stove and place the piles of creosote . Vacuum these out and supervene upon the kitchen range and stove pipe .

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Step 9: Clean up and dispose of the creosote.

cautiously clean up the plastic , drop cloths , and other items . keep off excite them if possible , as they ’re track in ash and creosote and will recoil up a bit of dust . Vacuum up any dust film and then carefully empty the shop vac into a trash purse .

There are quite a few constabulary that influence how to chuck out of creosote . in the main speaking , the creosote from a open fireplace chimney can be bagged and fuddle in normal applesauce , but it ’s of import to check with the local town hall or waste adroitness to ensure that this is okay .

When should you call a chimney sweeping professional?

The human activity of chimney cleaning is n’t hard , but there are some instances when it ’s good to call a chimney swing professional . For object lesson , if there is a blockage in the lamp chimney cause by wildlife or bees and wasps , promise a local pro makes more horse sense than getting bitten or stung .

Also , if you ’re not comfortable on a ravel , you might consider permit someone else clean your lamp chimney . While you may do it from inside the home , it ’s much messier , so call a professional .

eventually , if your chimney is Old , has n’t been used in a few years , or is showing signs of seeable wear , do not clean and use your lamp chimney — the risk is not deserving the price of rent a professional . Call a professional who can come in and verify that your lamp chimney is dependable . If not , they may suggestinstalling a new linerto protect the family from blast . That ’s not something the average DIYer can confidently cover .

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