Periodically Clean Chimneys and Fireplace

To keep your house better organized, it is essential to sweep out residual debris from your fireplace and chimney. A fireplace is frequently used during winter and is prone to collect burnt wood shavings and ashes. Along with the fireplace, the chimney also accumulates waste products. It is prudent to periodically clean out both the fireplace and the chimney. Keep in mind that chimney and fireplace waste is fine dust and soot that may pollute your household. Again, an unclean chimney and fireplace is a constant fire hazard.

Do it yourself

There are professional chimney and fireplace cleaners who offer their services at a reasonable cost. However, you may opt to clean your own chimney and fireplace during   summer season when it is not in use. Remember to use all safety precautions while tackling any cleaning jobs in this area. Protect your eyes, use gloves, and cover your face with a breathing mask to prevent inhalation of soot dust. Again, protect all couches and other furniture by covering them with sheets.

For both fireplace and chimney cleaning there are several types of brushes that can be purchased. First, sweep out all the cold ashes from the fireplace with a shovel and a broom. Next use a vacuum cleaner to gather the fine remains. Once the fireplace is clean, you may proceed to cleaning out the chimney. For chimney cleaning, you need a flexible brush with a long rod. Use this brush in an up and down motion along the chimney sides. You may check your progress with a powerful flashlight. However, to clean the chimney from the roof, you will need experienced persons who have executed similar jobs before.

It is necessary to give your fireplace and chimney an annual cleaning so they work efficiently and do not pose a serious fire threat. Accumulated soot and creosote on chimney walls reduce air flow and may cause smoke to enter the house. Keep the chimney and fireplace clean for trouble-free use during winter time. By keeping the chimney and fireplace spotless, you also reduce dust build-up in the immediate home environment.