When many people think of chimney sweeps, they envision a young Victorian boy covered in soot, holding a battered chimney sweep brush. This is no longer the case.
Nowadays, chimney sweeping is a skilled industry, with expert professionals who are able to do a damn good job on your chimney, leaving it safe, clean and soot-free.
However, when it comes to chimney sweeping, you do tend to get what you pay for – a decent chimney sweep won’t come cheap. And with many people tightening their belts, the question of whether or not you can clean your own chimney is becoming more and more common.
If you’re an amateur, the chances of you being able to clean your chimney to the standard of a professional who has been doing it for decades are pretty slim, but you should be able to get rid of some of the soot and make your chimney cleaner and safer.
But how do you clean your own chimney? In this blog post, we’ll talk about how to clean your own chimney with a brush and a rod.
Cover your fireplace
This is the most common way to clean your own chimney. However, it does involve climbing onto your roof, so it’s best to do this method on a clear, dry day, preferably over the spring / summer time.
Do not attempt to climb onto your roof in icy conditions. A sooty chimney will fall way down on your priority list if you take a tumble down and break your leg.
The good thing about this method is it allows you to completely cover your fireplace, meaning that the chances of your home getting covered in soot during the process is minimised. Once you’ve sealed off the opening of your fireplace completely using a sheet, it’s time to take your brush and cleaning rods and climb onto the roof.
Top Tip: if you have a wood burning stove, remove the pipe and tape a rubbish bag around the open end.
On the roof
Take a screwdriver or drill up to the roof with you, as your chimney may have a chimney cap that is connected by a few screws. Once you’ve unscrewed these, the cap should come of easily.
Next, attach one section of the rod to the brush and begin sweeping the inside of the chimney, using an up and down motion. This will release a lot of the soot that’s trapped inside (provided there’s not a blockage) and leave you with a cleaner and safer chimney.
For more expert tips on looking after your fireplace or stove, visit our blog.
