Cleaning the chimney is probably not at the top of your to-do list when it comes to household chores. It’s not exactly romantic to think about the sooty build-up and flammable residue while cozily seated in front of the fireplace looking at the crackling flames. Oh, and yes-we said flammable. Now let’s discuss in detail the process of a chimney sweep and how chimney cleaning work.
What time of year is best to clean a chimney?
Ideally, you should clean your chimney in the warm months between spring and late summer, before you think about lighting a fireplace for warmth when the weather gets cold. Before you light up your fireplace this season, make sure your chimney is both cleaned and properly inspected.
Putting off routine chimney repair and maintenance can lead to big problems in the future. Most homeowners hire chimney sweeps to perform this home maintenance. Hope this answers your question about what time of year is best to clean a chimney.
The Importance of Chimney Sweep before Winter
Keep your chimney clean to prevent fires-it’s as simple as that When you burn wood in your fireplace, soot and creosote build up, which is a heavy, thick, oily residue similar to tar. To sum it up, the more creosote on a chimney surface, the higher the risk of a fire. In contrast, soot is more easily removed, but creosote sticks to the chimney lining, making it extremely flammable.
How messy is chimney cleaning?
Newmarket | Simcoe County | Brampton | Milton | Mississauga
Getting rid of chimney soot yourself can be a way to save some money, but safety should be a priority: You’ll be on top of the roof, after all. Invest in the right types of chimney brushes for the job and take the proper precautions to prevent a mess later. If you do not, you will have to spend plenty of time cleaning up.
If you want to ensure thorough and safe cleaning, consult step-by-step instructions before you begin.
So, if you ask how messy is chimney cleaning – the answer is it is very messy if you try to do it yourself. For super-quick and efficient chimney repair services, call Best-Stucco at +1 (647) 505-4281.
Cleaning the inside of a chimney
There are several necessities to consider before a chimney sweep, including chimney brushes and supplies for both inside and outside your home.
Cost of a chimney sweep
Depending on where you live, you should expect to pay between $125 and $300 for a professional chimney cleaning service. This includes both an inspection and a complete sweep. There will be a price increase if you want heavy creosote removed, if there are critters in your chimney or if you need a significant chimney repair or rebuild.
Creosote sweeping logs, and do they really work?
Certainly, but realistic expectations are essential, and the burning of sweeping logs should not replace an annual chimney cleaning service. As creosote dries up from burning sweeping logs, it becomes flaky and easier for a chimney sweep to remove.
- Cleaning the chimney of a gas fireplace
- It is important to inspect and clean a gas fireplace chimney once a year, just like a wood-burning setup.
- Cleaning a fireplace chimney vs cleaning a wood stove chimney
Wood stove chimneys and regular fireplace chimneys both have the same issues. Wood stove pipes should be cleaned annually, but the process is different.
You should first consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions and recommendations for cleaning kits and supplies. Using creosote cleaning logs can ease the task, and consulting a fire department or a professional chimney cleaning service is also a smart option.
The Process of Chimney a Cleaning Done in 7 Steps
Step 1
Neatly cover the chimney bottom area to avoid a double task. Cover the area around the chimney with old newspapers to prevent dust from spilling all over the kitchen.
Step 2
Detach a few parts of the chimney before you begin cleaning it. Remove the fan guard net and detach the fan head from the fan cover oil bucket. Unscrew the lower and upper covers of the light and remove the cover.
Step 3
Once the oil collection ring latch is unlocked, gently pull it down and turn it until you can remove the oil collector ring and sludge. Finally, remove the fan and set it aside.
Step 4
Use steel wool for stubborn stains, then wipe it clean with a dry cloth after soaking the scrubber in kerosene oil.
Step 5
Oil sludge should be scraped off with a spoon and cleaned with a scrubber. Use a scrubber soaked in kerosene oil to polish the oil collector ring. Lock the latch.
Step 6
Now, clean the fan head and reattach it. Repeat the process for the light cover, the oil tray, and the oil bucket. Clean the lower and upper covers next. Tighten the 6 screws on the lower cover to complete this step.
Step 7
Go for a test run after fastening the light cover and fixing the fan cover and oil bucket. To prevent dust accumulation, cover the chimney top with newspaper.
Conclusion
A chimney’s purpose is to remove harmful gases from a fireplace when it’s in use, but they only work well if they aren’t clogged up with debris and build-up. If you are not certain of what you are doing, cleaning a chimney can be pretty dangerous.
To prevent fires or other problems with your chimney, it’s best to have certified professional chimney cleaning services clean it. For professional chimney repair services anywhere in Newmarket, Simcoe County, Brampton, Milton, and Mississauga, call Best-Stucco at +1 (647) 505-4281.
