How to Clean the Chimney of a Fireplace with Artificial Logs

Cleaning a chimney is important to avoid fires

Cleaning a chimney is very important to home safety. Every chimney should be cleaned out regularly to avoid starting a fire at home. Cleaning a chimney is especially important when using artificial logs, because these logs are made from wood chips and other similar materials that burn very hot when compared to regular wood fires or gas fires. The buildup of creosote and soot should be similar to regular wood logs, but the hotter fire can create a fire hazard faster.

Things You'll Need

• Chimney brush
• Furniture covers
• Gloves
• Face mask
• Goggles
• Chimney brush rods
• Tape
• Bucket
• Shovel and broom
• Strong flashlight
• Vacuum
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Cover all of the furniture in the room. Tape down the coverings so that they won't move.

2. Put on gloves, goggles and a mask. Cleaning out a chimney is very dusty. Breathing in the dust can be harmful to your health, and getting corrosive dust and soot in your eyes can damage them.

3. Measure the chimney using a measuring tape. According to Northline Express, you should measure the inside of the chimney tile. The measurements are important because they dictate the appropriate size of chimney brush.

4. Remove any ashes from the fireplace using a shovel, bucket and small broom. If a fire was recently burning, wait until the ashes have cooled before removing.

5. Insert the chimney brush into the chimney from the bottom. Work the chimney brush up and down a few times through the chimney, adding more rods as they are needed to reach the top of the chimney. Look up in the chimney with a flashlight to ensure it is clean. Make sure the flashlight shines clearly up to the top of the chimney.

6. Sweep up and vacuum the entire area where there is soot and dust. Clean out the fireplace. It might take time to clean everything, but the cleaned chimney will prevent a fire.

7. Use a creosote remover or inhibitor to slow creosote buildup in the chimney.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning the chimney from the top, while sealing the bottom of the chimney at the fireplace, can avoid a messy cleanup of the room; but cleaning from the top should be done by a professional. It must be cleaned from the roof and there are risks associated with this type of cleaning.

References

• Northline Express: How to Clean a Chimney
• Public Bookshelf: How to Clean a Chimney
• Fireplace Magazine: Fireplace FAQ
• Chimneys: Burning Secrets