Instructions For Cleaning And Fixing A Chimney
Chimney fire is usually caused due to the improper cleaning and maintenance of the chimney
. For better and safe chimney functions it is better to clean the chimney thoroughly once in a year, especially before winter season comes. Chimney cleaning is not a tough task; you can do it with little effort. However, you can take help of some professional chimney sweep.
Required Items
-Breathing mask
-Caulk
-Chimney brush and chimney rods
-Drop cloths or old sheets
-Duct tape or masking tape
-Flashlight
-Goggles
-Ladder
-Measuring tape
-Old clothes
-Small mirror
-Sweeping brush and pan or vacuum
-Weather-resistant mortar
Steps
1.Before starting working on a chimney, make certain that the fire has long burned out.
2.The first thing you need to do is to measure the interior diameter of the metal or prefabricated chimney by removing the chimney cap with measuring tape. In case you have masonry chimney design, gauge the length and width of the flue liner. Take a moderate length chimney brush according to the calculated measures. The brush should neither be too small nor too large.
3.Stiff bristled brush and rods are ideal for chimney cleaning. These are easily available at any hardware stores.
4.To prevent ash or soot escaping into the room, use duct tape or masking tape to attach the cloth or sheet to the fireplace opening.
5.Change your clothes and climb up to the roof top. Dont forget to keep your chimney rods, flashlight and brush with you before climbing on the roof. Wear goggles and breathing mask as well.
6.If your chimney contains cap, remove it and clean it with the brush.
7.Attach few rods with brush and put it inside the chimney. Keep adding rods until you feel that the brush is touching the damper assembly.
8.Now you are ready to clean the flue. Move brush in up and down direction and scrape it against the walls of the chimney. Remove all the creosote (in form of ash, soot or as black shiny hardened gaze or a black crunchy substance).
9.Clean the whole length of the chimney in the same way. Afterwards take a flashlight and examine the chimney for any signs of creosote.
10.If you find chimney clean from the top side, come down and proceed to clean the chimney from inside the home. Remove the sheet or cloth you attach before. Keep a drop cloth on the site where your will have to work. Clean the damper assembly and the side walls of the chimney with brush. Examine any remaining of the creosote with flashlight.
11.Now clean the surrounding of the fireplace with vacuum or simply sweep it with broom. Remove the drop cloth carefully. Now is the time to rub your equipment clean from creosote. Remove your goggles and breathing mask. Place the equipment at its storage place for future cleaning.
12.Dont forget to inspect your chimney for any damage signs while cleaning process. If you find any, consult professionals.
13.If mortar is loose or damage, clear it and apply new mortar on the surface. Cracks can also be filled with mortar. It is recommended to use weather resistant mortar to give long life to your chimney.
14.Inspect the flashing seals for any damage. Use caulk to prevent any leakage, especially at the joints between chimney and flashing.
Precautions
-Always use breathing mask and eye safety goggles while working on chimney.
-Be careful about the surroundings while working on the roof top.
by: Tauqeer Hassan
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