Table of Contents
prev. next. use flat fireplace shovel to clean out ashes. use shop vacuum with filter bag to remove ashes. Remove the Ashes. prev. next. removing stubborn stains with acid and wire brush. use metal brush to remove debris from damper. prev. next. make sure chimney cap is in good condition. check flashing where chimney meets roof.
How do you maintain a chimney and fireplace?
Fireplace Maintenance: 10 Tips for Maintaining a Wood-Burning Fireplace Clean the Interior of the Fireplace. Install Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms. Remove Soot and Creosote Buildup. Check the Chimney and its Cap. Use the Right Wood. Test the Fireplace Before Using It. Install a Blower and Heat Proof Glass Door.
How do you take care of a chimney?
8 Things You Should Know About Fireplace & Chimney Care Call A Chimney Sweep. They exist, and not just to pop up in children’s movies. Leave A Little Ash. Keep The Area Clear. Close The Damper. Make Sure You Have A Chimney Cap. Only Use Seasoned Wood. Don’t Hang Stockings. Consider A Fireplace Insert.
Can you sweep your own chimney?
In many cases, you can clean the chimney yourself and save a few hundred dollars. Removing ordinary chimney soot is pretty simple. But if you have heavy creosote buildup, you’ll have to call in a pro. Otherwise, hire a certified chimney sweep.
How often should you have your chimney cleaned?
A good clean every season should suffice but it’s best to check up on the build up of creosote dust – at about six millimetres it should be cleaned away. Of course, a freestanding wood or gas fireplace would remove the need to clean a fireplace.
How do you service a fireplace?
What Will a Fireplace Service Do? Inspect the exterior. Make sure the unit is properly mounted and there are no gaps or cracks in the fireplace framework. Check the glass for cracks. Inspect the logs. Check the gas ignition. Vacuum the interior. Check carbon monoxide detectors. Inspect the chimney.
How do you know if your chimney needs cleaned?
Here are our top 9 Signs that Your Chimney Needs to Be Cleaned: Oily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace. Poorly Burning Fires. Odors Coming from the Fireplace. Animals are Inside Your Chimney. Smoke Doesn’t Rise Up the Chimney. Fires are Difficult to Get Started. Chimney Soot is Falling from the Chimney.
What can I burn to clean my chimney?
Creosote and soot build up can be minimized by: Burning good wood. Operating your fireplace or wood burning stove properly and. Using the creosote sweeping log every few dozen fires, to prepare the chimney for its annual cleaning.
What dissolves creosote?
Creosote is moderately soluble in water. Spraying water onto the creosote will help to remove the liquid. However, creosote is a type of oil that is never removed fully by water. Bleach and industrial cleaners will help to pull the creosote out of clothes and off of skin or other surfaces.
How do I make sure my chimney is safe?
5 Easy Steps to Make Sure Your Fireplace Is Safe #1 Examine the Firebox. Look for any cracks, gaps, or signs of wear in the lining of the firebox (the interior of the fireplace). #2 Look for Telltale Smoke Stains. #3 Make Sure Your Grate Is the Right Size. #4 Check the Chimney. #5 Double-Check Your Fire Extinguisher.
Can you put water on a fireplace?
When putting out your fireplace fire, don’t throw water on it! Throwing water on the fire will create a lot of smoke and makes it harder to clean the ashes up. Instead, you should: Put ash over the embers to smother the fire.
How do I stop my chimney from heating up?
5 Tips to Getting More Warmth Out of Your Fireplace Do a damper check. If you think about it logically, the chimney allows airflow so that smoke can escape when you light a fire, but when not in use, you’re letting the warm air from your home out. Caulk it. Keep heat in. Install a heat exchanger. Seal it.
Can you clean a chimney from the bottom?
The Bottom Up Brush & Rod Chimney Cleaning Method is very similar to the Top Down method just a little safer. The Bottom Up cleaning method is very messy as you will be working in the firebox inside your home and cannot seal off the firebox opening. Sep 11, 2015.
Do wood burner chimneys need sweeping?
Where you have a wood burning stove or multi burner or, indeed, any type of solid fuel or wood fire, the chimney and stoves flue pipe must be swept regularly to remove all soot deposits and prevent blockage. Soot bursts can occur during a chimney being swept.
How often should you clean chimney with log burner?
You should have your chimney swept at least once a year as a bare minimum. This ensures your chimney is kept as clean as possible and prevents buildup that will become harder to remove if you leave it.
What is the average cost to have your chimney cleaned?
With this, having your chimney swept is a must. Chimney sweep costs around $80 to $300. This could get higher or lower depending on the type of chimney you have and the level of cleaning needed, the current state of your chimney, and the job’s complexity.
How quickly does creosote build up?
It typically takes between six months and one year for cut wood to get to a low moisture content. Do not burn artificial packaged logs in your fireplace or your woodstove, since they leave a large amount of creosote deposits. Burn hot fires that have plenty of air.
How do you clean an electric fireplace?
How to Clean an Electric Fireplace Turn off the unit. Remove or open glass doors. Dust your logs, stones, andirons or hearth with a clean cloth. Vacuum vents with a hand vacuum or hose attachment. Use a duster or damp clean cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of your fireplace walls.
How do you keep a wood burning fireplace clean?
10 Tips on How to Clean and Maintain Your Wood-Burning Fireplace #1) Sweep Out Ashes Once Cool. #2) Check for Soot. #3) Burn Dry Firewood. #4) Avoid Starting Fires With Paper. #5) Close the Screen When Using Your Fireplace. #6) Clean the Screen. #7) Sweep the Outer Hearth. #8) Vacuum Around the Outer Hearth.
How do you keep a fireplace fire going?
11 Ways To Keep A Fire Going In An Open Fireplace Ensure That The Damper Is Fully Open. Warm The Chimney. Maintain The Air Supply. Build The Fire Correctly. Only Burn Wood That Is Dry Enough. Burn Room Temperature Wood. Burn Hardwood Logs. Add A Couple of Logs At A Time.
