Chimneys are prone to accumulation of creosote and soot due to frequent use. This substance is sticky and flammable, exposing your house to fires if not removed. To reduce this danger, you need regular chimney cleaning. Hiring a professional cleaner might be expensive. To keep the place clean, you need ordinary tools from the hardware and a few minutes during your regular general cleaning session.
You need to determine whether it is time to clean or not. To check the soot or dirt that has accumulated, peel the walls of your flute using a pencil or knife. Should you collect soot that is more than 1/8 of an inch thick, it is time to clear it. Fall is the recommended season for mandatory clearing. The season that follows requires a lot of burning which increases the chances of fire.
During cold months, such animals as raccoon, birds and squirrels camp on kitchen chimneys. Birds are notorious because they build nests on this area. Before you begin cleaning, it is advisable that you check the area. Shine a flashlight up or down to see any abnormality inside. Such animals and their nests must be removed safely before any work can commence.
An ordinary brush or rag cannot be used to clean the flute section. You need a brush whose design matches that of your chimney. If the area is round, a circular brush is required. Where it is rectangular, choose a brush that can scrub all corners. A ladder will also enable you reach the top of your roof. Use masks and goggles to protect you against dust.
Whether you are clearing the area bottom-up or up-down, you need protective gear. If you have a brush with a reliable handle, you can do it alone. The cleaning brush usually has a heavy material hanging to pull the brush down. Where such a pipe or rod is not available, you may use a rope with the brush tied in the middle. In this case, you have to be two cleaners, one pulling from the bottom and another from the top.
The entrance also accumulates debris that needs to be removed. The dirt removed from your flute will also gather here. Scope it with a spade and clear the area, carrying off the dirt using a bucket. You may use a blower to deal with fine dust particles.
The law prohibits the disposal of flammable materials in an ordinary pit. This means that the disposal of creosote and soot should be according to local authority regulations. As you clean your chimney, watch out for cracks or deformities especially on the outside. Debris hanging from this area should be removed to keep it light, secure and safe.
There should be no branches or animal nests near your chimney. This intrusion may introduce debris down your flute leading to blockage. Hire a professional chimney cleaner in San Diego, CA if the amount of work demands such.
You need to determine whether it is time to clean or not. To check the soot or dirt that has accumulated, peel the walls of your flute using a pencil or knife. Should you collect soot that is more than 1/8 of an inch thick, it is time to clear it. Fall is the recommended season for mandatory clearing. The season that follows requires a lot of burning which increases the chances of fire.
During cold months, such animals as raccoon, birds and squirrels camp on kitchen chimneys. Birds are notorious because they build nests on this area. Before you begin cleaning, it is advisable that you check the area. Shine a flashlight up or down to see any abnormality inside. Such animals and their nests must be removed safely before any work can commence.
An ordinary brush or rag cannot be used to clean the flute section. You need a brush whose design matches that of your chimney. If the area is round, a circular brush is required. Where it is rectangular, choose a brush that can scrub all corners. A ladder will also enable you reach the top of your roof. Use masks and goggles to protect you against dust.
Whether you are clearing the area bottom-up or up-down, you need protective gear. If you have a brush with a reliable handle, you can do it alone. The cleaning brush usually has a heavy material hanging to pull the brush down. Where such a pipe or rod is not available, you may use a rope with the brush tied in the middle. In this case, you have to be two cleaners, one pulling from the bottom and another from the top.
The entrance also accumulates debris that needs to be removed. The dirt removed from your flute will also gather here. Scope it with a spade and clear the area, carrying off the dirt using a bucket. You may use a blower to deal with fine dust particles.
The law prohibits the disposal of flammable materials in an ordinary pit. This means that the disposal of creosote and soot should be according to local authority regulations. As you clean your chimney, watch out for cracks or deformities especially on the outside. Debris hanging from this area should be removed to keep it light, secure and safe.
There should be no branches or animal nests near your chimney. This intrusion may introduce debris down your flute leading to blockage. Hire a professional chimney cleaner in San Diego, CA if the amount of work demands such.
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