How to Clean Your Chimney?

Chimney maintenance is crucial to help prolong its life and prevent chimney fires. Doing a chimney cleaning using DIY methods can be tempting to save time and money; however, hiring a certified professional in chimney cleaning in Sacramento is a wise decision for desired results. Cleaning chimney flue, firebox, and dampers annually can help detect the problems that are a potential risk in the future.

Neglecting the chimney cleaning leads to soot or creosote buildup. Creosote is a highly black flammable substance that sticks to the chimney’s interior. If left unattended, it can lead to dangerous fires, spreading to other parts of the house. Burning wood, coal, or other fuel products causes creosote or soot buildup that needs to clean from time to time.

Here’s How to Clean Your Chimney.

• Spread out a sizable drop cloth in front of the fireplace. Cover furniture and other belongings in the room.
• Wear protective gear like a dust mask, gloves, and eyewear. Now, clean the loose debris from the firebox.
• Access the roof and remove the chimney cap using a cordless drill. Make sure your harness is tight to prevent injury or falls.
• Use a brush to clean the flue in up and down movements. Scrub by lowering it gradually until you reach the first rod’s end. Your firebox will hold the residue falling from above. You can add another extension rod to reach the smoke shelf.
• Take the rod and brush it out of the chimney. Install the hardware you removed from the top of the chimney.
• After waiting some time to let the dust settle in the firebox, it’s time to clean it. Use a brush to clean the firebox by scraping off the ash and vacuuming the fireplace interior.

Cleaning the chimney seems easy but requires professional knowledge to prevent injury and soot from spreading all over the house. Hiring an expert in fireplace repair in Sacramento can help protect your chimney and ensure it’s in good working order.

How to Protect Your Chimney?

• Do not burn wet or unseasoned wood to prevent creosote.
• Invest in a moisture meter if you don’t know whether the wood is sufficiently dry.
• Every season, burn a creosote reduction log.
• While lighting a fire in your wood-burning fireplace, keep the damper closed.

Conclusion

Chimney cleaning is integral for house maintenance because neglecting it can lead to life-threatening fires. You can use seasoned firewood to slow down the creosote buildup. NFA recommends chimney cleaning annually to prevent fires and prolong the life of a chimney. Have a chimney sweep inspect your fireplace, do necessary repairs, and do a cleanup before you start using it for heating purposes.