Chimney sweeps often recommend a smoke test to ensure the chimney is working properly. Light a stick of wood and see if smoke goes up. If the smoke doesn’t go up, you have a leak and should call in a professional immediately.
The main tool that chimney sweeps use resembles a giant bottle brush. They are used to remove creosote, a sticky residue that causes chimney fires. Contact Chimney Sweep Clean now!
A chimney sweep is a person who removes creosote, soot and other debris from the inside of your fireplace. They also clean and inspect your flue, firebox and smoke chamber for cracks or deterioration. These tasks are crucial to creating safer and more efficient chimney systems that work well during the heating season.
Before your chimney sweep arrives, you should make sure the fireplace has had time to cool down. This will allow the professional to safely work on the area without causing an accidental fire or injury to anyone in your home. Additionally, you will want to clear the fireplace area of logs, decorations and other items that could be accidentally knocked over by the cleaning equipment.
Most chimney professionals will want to place a tarp around the fireplace to protect the floors of your home. They may also use a shop vac to decrease soot levels in your living spaces. They will be using tools that resemble large bottle brushes and will need to wear protective gear such as masks, goggles and gloves. Chimney sweeps will typically start from the bottom of the chimney and work their way up or down depending on the circumstances.
It is helpful to communicate any concerns that you have with the chimney sweep. For example, if you have noticed cracks, odors or other problems, it is important to let the professional know about them so that they can address them immediately.
Lastly, it is always best to keep pets in another room or outside of the sweeping area during the process. This ensures their safety as well as helps to prevent them from becoming too stressed out during the procedure.
When the chimney sweep arrives, they will want to have full access to the fireplace and surrounding areas. Keeping furniture, toys and other objects away from the area will allow them to access the piping, chimney and other areas more easily. It is also important to remove tripping hazards from the entrance to your fireplace. Chimney sweeps will likely want to lay a drop cloth and should be given a clear path from the front door to the fireplace.
Inspection
Chimney sweeps are going to be bringing in equipment and tools that can make a mess, so you want to do your best to protect your belongings. You may want to move any furniture or decorations away from the fireplace area, drape a protective sheet over them, and cover them with plastic if necessary. You also want to make sure that there is enough room for your chimney sweep to enter and exit the fireplace easily, and that it has clear access to the firebox.
The chimney sweep will start by making a visual inspection of the flue, firebox, smoke chamber, damper, and baffle and examining all the connections to the appliance and the flue. They will also look at the roof and take notes of any damage they see. They might also recommend an in-home video scan of the interior of your chimney if they see any issues that require repair.
They are looking for any buildup of creosote or soot that has accumulated over time. While both can cause problems if there is too much of it, creosote is the more serious problem as it is flammable and can quickly lead to a chimney fire. A chimney fire can also spread to the home’s structure and cause dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning.
If a chimney sweep finds any creosote glaze, they will use a special brush to scrape it off of the chimney lining. This process can be messy, and it can leave a layer of inky-looking, cake icing-like residue on the fireplace walls, but it will help to prevent any future glazed deposits from building up.
Creosote glaze can also cause your chimney to deteriorate faster, leading to cracks and holes in the flue liner and allowing heat, smoke, and gases to leak into the home. Regular cleanings can keep this from happening, reducing the risk of chimney fires and lowering your insurance rates. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the CSIA both recommend having your chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year, and getting it cleaned regularly.
Removal of Debris
During the chimney cleaning process, the sweep may need to remove debris from inside your fireplace and around it. This could include twigs, sticks, leaves and the nests of animals. These items can clog the flue and prevent smoke, carbon monoxide and heat from exiting the fireplace properly. They can also block the firebox and cause damage to your chimney.
Chimney sweeps use specialized tools and cleaning solvents to clean your chimney. These tools may include electric rods, scrapers, brushes, scrubbers, brooms and a vacuum cleaner. They will also wear protective gloves and face masks to prevent soot, dirt and other debris from getting on their clothes or skin. In addition, the chimney sweep should put down a drop cloth or blanket to decrease the amount of ash and debris that will get on your floor and furniture.
The most common reason for calling a chimney sweep is to have creosote buildup removed from the chimney and flue. Creosote is a sticky, toxic residue created when wood or fossil fuel burns. The more it builds up, the more dangerous your fireplace and home are to operate. Chimneys that are swept regularly have less creosote buildup and can be operated safely.
When hiring a chimney sweep, look for one with a proven track record. A reputable company will have been in business for at least five years and should provide proof of insurance, certification and licensing. Ask for references and pictures of previous jobs. Also, ask how long it has been since your chimney was last swept and whether you have any pets or small children living in your home.
A professional chimney sweep will use a brush with metal bristles to remove creosote from the fireplace. It will take time to thoroughly clean your chimney, especially if it’s been a while since the last sweep. During this time, your chimney will need to be completely cool and the chimney sweep should not smoke in your home.
You can help prepare your home for a chimney inspection and cleaning by removing furniture, decorations and other items. If the area is too crowded, it can be difficult for the chimney sweep to maneuver the brush into the firebox and flue. You should also make sure that your fireplace is empty of ash, logs and other items.
Cleaning
Chimney sweeps use specialized tools and cleaning solvents to remove the creosote, dust, debris and blockages from your chimney walls and flue. They will also clean your fireplace lining and smoke chamber, if needed. This process usually takes a few hours and should be completed within one day, if not sooner. If your chimney is severely clogged, it may take longer to complete the work.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once every other year. While the chimney sweeping process can be messy, it is essential for keeping your home safe and preventing costly chimney repairs and hazards. It’s also important to make your appointment well in advance. Chimney sweeps’ schedules fill up quickly, especially during the heating season.
Before the chimney sweep arrives, clear the fireplace of logs and other flammable materials. You should also move any tchotchkes or other items on your mantle to allow the chimney sweep unimpeded access. The chimney sweep will also need to remove the grate and log holder, as these can get in the way and could break during the sweeping and vacuuming process.
If you have pets, keep them away from the fireplace area during the cleaning process. They might be frightened by the noise of the chimney sweep’s equipment and tools, or they may try to play with the cleaning rods. If they get stuck inside the fireplace, it could be dangerous for them and they might not be able to escape through the chimney.
The chimney sweep will scrub the interior walls of your chimney with long rods equipped with brushes. They’ll start from the top and work their way down, scrubbing each surface of the chimney as they go. This helps remove the buildup of soot and other substances, reducing the risk of chimney fires and making it easier for smoke and carbon monoxide to exit your fireplace.
Most chimney sweeps will also brush the roof of your fireplace to remove twigs, leaves and animal nests. These obstructions can narrow the chimney’s flue, preventing smoke and carbon monoxide from drafting properly. They can also damage the structure of your chimney if they fall into the flue. Chimney sweeps can safely and efficiently remove these obstructions without causing any harm to your roof or the rest of your house.