Cleaning/Sweeping your Chimney
Chimney Cleaning/Sweeping Tip!
It's very messy to clean a chimney, but it ought to be done regularly
to remove built-up creosote and soot, which can catch fire or obstruct
the air flowing through your chimney. Restricted airflow can cause your
fireplace to operate poorly and sometimes cause soot and ash to blow
back into your house.
It's often wise to hire a chimney sweep for this job, but you can do it
yourself if it's possible to work safely up on the roof and you can
reach the top of the chimney. Cover the mouth of your fireplace by
taping plastic sheeting across it. Use old sheets or drop cloths to
protect nearby rugs and furnishings. Plan to wear a dust mask, gloves,
and goggles to protect yourself from the dust, ash, and soot.
You'll need:
* A steel chimney-sweeping brush
* A rope the length of flue and the chimney
* A water-filled plastic jug to serve as a weight for the brush
* A heavy-duty vacuum cleanera
Carefully climb onto the roof and if the chimney has a cap or spark
catcher attached to the top, remove it. Tie the water-filled jug to the
bottom end of the chimney brush and the long rope to the top end. Lower
the weight and brush down into the chimney--all the way to the
bottom--and then pull it back up. Pass it through several times until
it comes up relatively free of debris. Let the dust settle, then vacuum
out soot and debris that has fallen into the fireplace.
If your chimney isn't equipped with a damper, costly heated air is
being drawn out through the chimney every day. Have a mason install a
damper inside the chimney or mount a special chimney cap on top that
includes a damper.
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David Valente
www.davidvalente.com
Prudential Sussex Realty
Committed Service. Real Estate Sales.
Valente Real Estate North Vancouver. Real Estate West Vancouver. Real Estate Downtown Vancouver. Real Estate in the Lower Mainland. Buy and Sell Real Estate. Dave Valente