As we approach the end of summer, it won’t be long before the leaves begin to change color, the nights draw in, and the air turns colder. Despite Fall and winter both being popular seasons, for many, they are very cold.
Keeping warm and dry in cold weather is vital, which is why open fires, wood burners, and multi-fuel stoves are becoming increasingly popular in homes all over the nation. Not only do these put out an amazing amount of heat, they’re also great to look at, they add value to homes, and they’re aesthetically pleasing.
Any fireplace or stove, however, must have a chimney for the smoke and fumes to escape through. It’s vital that you keep them clean and well-maintained for safety reasons, as well as energy efficiency. But can you clean your own chimney yourself or do you have them cleaned professionally? Well, see for yourself, as we share several tips and considerations when it comes to cleaning your own chimney yourself.
Understand the Need for a Clean Chimney
First and foremost, when talking about cleaning your chimney, you need to understand exactly why it needs cleaning in the first place.
Each time you have a fire, as the smoke builds up and is exhausted away, it causes build ups of creosote inside the lining of the chimney. This thick, soot-like material is flammable and if it is allowed to build up too much it can ignite from the heat from the fire and cause a chimney fire.
Chimney fires can not only damage the lining of your chimney, they can also cause extreme smoke damage throughout your house. In extreme cases, they can also cause house fires.
To remove creosote and other materials which may be stuck to the lining of your chimney, it’s essential that you have your chimney cleaned at least once per year.
Clean the Chimney at the Right Time
As far as can you clean your own chimney yourself, another important consideration is when to clean your chimney.
Regular chimney cleaning is important for not only ensuring your fire draws properly and works efficiently, but also for keeping it safe and preventing chimney fires. But when is the right time to clean?
Well, that depends partially on whether you have it cleaned once or twice a year. If you have it cleaned twice, it’s best to clean it half-way through the season. If you have it cleaned once a year however, it’s best to get it cleaned in late summer/early Fall.
Know What to Look Out For
Before you commit to cleaning your chimney, or having it cleaned professionally, it’s also important to know what to look out for.
Just because you’ve had your chimney cleaned once this year for example, don’t assume that you’re not at risk. If you find that soot and other debris is falling into your firebox, this is a sign that there may be a blockage or accumulation of creosote.
If you can see in the chimney/flue, check how thick the creosote build ups are. If it is 1/8 of an inch thick or more, that poses a risk and will need cleaning. Honeycomb textured creosote is another thing to watch out for. In either of these cases, unless you are qualified to do so, bring in a professional.
Finally, if you burn a lot of coal or artificial logs, again, make sure that you get your chimney cleaned regularly.
Only Burn the Right Materials
When you have a fire and burn wood, you must ensure that you are only burning dry, seasoned wood with a moisture content of below 20%. Anything higher than this is known as ‘green wood’ and contains a lot of moisture and sap. This causes more smoke which, again, can cause creosote build ups.
As well as that, burning wood which has been treated with chemicals, painted, or varnished, can also cause more build ups, as well as toxic fumes and less heat output. Put simply, you should only burn fuel that is deemed legal and suitable for open fireplaces and stoves.
Gather the Right Tools
So, can you clean your own chimney yourself? Well, yes you can, though you will need to ensure you use the right tools and equipment.
Cleaning a chimney is a big job, especially if you don’t have the right tools and equipment so make sure you have what you need well in advance.
Key materials include:
- Chimney brushes
- Adjustable ladders
- Cordless drill
- Duct tape
- Dust mask
- Eye protection
- Shop vacuum with a dust filter
- Sheet plastic
- Extension rods
- Flashlight
Prepare Your Fireplace
If you do decide to clean your own chimney yourself, you’re going to need to prepare your fireplace first. This is a step you cannot afford to skip as it could cause severe damage to your home if something were to go wrong.
Before you begin work, go ahead and lay out a plastic dust sheet, remove any furniture that isn’t fixed, and remove any parts of the stove or fireplace that can be removed. You need clear, unobstructed access to the chimney.
You should also make sure that the air pressure has balanced beforehand. If not, and you can feel air blowing onto your hand, this shows that the chimney isn’t drawing. It means that dust, soot, and creosote will be blown down the chimney and into the room.
Inspect the Chimney
Once you have removed everything that you need to remove and have prepped the fireplace and chimney, go ahead and inspect it.
Shine a flashlight up the chimney/flue and inspect the fire grate/box, smoke chamber and smoke shelf. Again, you’re looking to check how much creosote has accumulated. If there is more than 1/8 of an inch, you will need to use a professional.
Choose a Reliable and Qualified Professional
Finally, if you have determined that cleaning the chimney yourself is going to be too difficult, or too awkward, go ahead and call a qualified professional.
A professional chimney cleaning service will have the right tools and equipment, they’ll know exactly what they’re doing, and they’ll be able to clean your chimney professionally and thoroughly in no time at all.