Cleaning the chimney is essential to prevent any fire disasters and also ensure that the smoke gets out of your house without circulating the filthy air. But you might be wondering whether you should clean it yourself or you should hire a professional cleaner.
Read more to learn how you can clean your own chimney as well as times that you should call a professional to do the job for you.
Step-By-Step Guide To Cleaning Your Chimney
Get the Right Tools:
Firstly, you need some primary equipment. You also will need the chimney brush for your chimney size, a ladder, a flashlight, a dust mask, gloves, and some old sheets or drop cloths to lay over your furniture.
Prepare Your Area:
It is important to place the sheets around the working fireplace before starting. This aids in capturing any soot or debris that might likely fall.
Check for Any Blockages:
Get up and shine your torch at the chimney and see. If you observe that there are some barriers, for example, the birds’ nests or the leaves, clear them gently.
Start Brushing:
Now, put on your dust mask and gloves. Proceed to climb a ladder up to the roof, and be extra cautious when doing this. Using the chimney brush, clean the inside walls of the chimney. It starts from the top and goes down. Do not forget to brush them sideways as well.
Clean Up:
After you finish brushing the chimney, return outside and sweep the area. Sweep with a vacuum cleaner or a broom to remove any s0ot that has fallen to the floor.
Inspect Your Work:
Finally, point your flashlight in the chimney to discover if it is clean. If it looks good, well, you’re good to go!
When To Call A Professional
In some cases, it is best left for a professional chimney sweep to do the job. Here’s when you should think about getting help:
- Tight Spaces: If your chimney is very narrow or out of easy reach, a professional will be able to do the job safely.
- Heavy Creosote Buildup: Creosote looks like a thick, black tar-like substance if you are still in doubt about the substance you have seen outside. Overall, it is difficult to get rid of and can be lethal if untreated. A professional has ways how to eradicate it on your behalf.
- Structural Issues: If you see cracks or any signs of damage inside your chimney, it is advisable to hire someone to check it and make the necessary fixes.
- Annual Inspection: While it’s a good idea to make certain you clean it yourself at least once a year, it’s also a good idea to hire a pro at least once a year to double-check the chimney. They can see something wrong that you did not even realize was wrong.
Final Thoughts
Chimney sweeping can actually be a very simple and detailed process if the following procedures are followed. But remember, safety first! This is especially true if the job seems too tough or risky; in that case, it is always best to call a professional.
If you’re not sure about what you’re doing or if your chimney has any issues, call a pro to clean and inspect it. They’ll keep you safe and spot any issues
