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To dramatically, reduce the risk of fire in your chimney due to a buildup of creosote or debris carried in from animals, chimney brushes are used. If you hire a professional chimney sweep, he or she would use a specially made brush but to save money, you can purchase a brush and do the cleaning yourself. The key is to work with the right type of chimney brushes and go through a specific process of cleaning.
By keeping your fireplace cleaned occasionally, you will not only reduce the risk of fire but also help your fireplace operate more efficiently and more effectively. The buildup of creosote is a dangerous and serious thing. This substance is produced from smoke billowing up the chimney. Over time, the creosote clings to the inside of the chimney walls. Because creosote is highly flammable, this buildup becomes a fire hazard. In addition to having your fireplace checked annually for cracks, buildup, or other problems, we recommend you use chimney brushes to do some periodic cleaning in between scheduled times. For starters, it is imperative that as you work with chimney brushes to remove soot or creosote buildup, you protect your eyes, nose, and throat. Therefore, safety goggles from flying debris, as well as a facemask to protect the lungs from the substance should be worn during every cleaning. In addition to personal protection, when cleaning a fireplace children should not be allowed near. For instance, many chimney brushes have sharp and pointed bristles, which when handled incorrectly could cause physical harm. To clean your fireplace with chimney brushes, you will need to measure the chimney so you know the correct size brush or brushes to purchase. For this, the diameter of the chimney needs to be measured accurately. While this might not seem like that big of a deal, the truth is that one of the keys of success is choosing the right size chimney brushes. With this information, you can then determine the best method for cleaning your fireplace effectively. One of the most popular choices is to use a flexible rod from the top down. For this, the fireplace should be sealed off with heavy-duty plastic and tape to keep anything from getting into the house. Then, the brush is attached to the rod, at which time it would be lowered down into the chimney from the roof. The nice thing about this method is that a number of rods can be added so you can reach all the way down. To check your work with the chimney brushes, an everyday flashlight will help to show any areas that might have been missed or that need a little extra cleaning. |
