How to Sweep a Chimney Liner

Sweeping your chimney liner properly is crucial for the health and safety of your home.

Usually made of metal or clay, a chimney liner refers to the material on the inside of the chimney that protects the integrity of the chimney as a whole. Cleaning your chimney liner regularly is necessary to ensure the health and safety of your home. According to the Repair Home website, blockages in your chimney liner from infrequent cleaning can result in fires, as well as a carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Don't be daunted by the task of cleaning your chimney as it's a lot simpler than it looks.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloths or old sheets
• Large piece of plastic
• Packing tape
• Ladder
• Chimney brush
• Chimney brush rod
• Chimney brush extension attachments
• Strong flashlight

Instructions

1. Open all the windows and doors in the room where the chimney is located. Cover all your furniture with old sheets or drop cloths. Line the floor of the fireplace with generous layers of newspaper. Place a large sheet of plastic over your fireplace and tape it in place with strong packing tape. This is to trap soot that will fall down from your chimney.

2. Place a ladder against the side of your house and climb up very carefully, holding your chimney brush and attachments in one hand. Screw your chimney brush into a flexible rod that will reach down your entire chimney and insert it down the chimney.

3. Move the brush down, and turn the rod clockwise. Slowly move the rod down each foot of the chimney, moving the brush up and down in small beats, and turning it clockwise, so as to dislodge the soot. As you go, depending on the length of your chimney rod, you may have to screw in other rod attachments to get to the very bottom of the chimney. Repeat this movement in its entirety, but this time bringing the chimney brush in an upward direction until you've pulled it back up to the top of the chimney.

4. Shine a powerful flashlight down the mouth of the chimney to check your work. It should all look pretty clear. Feel free to go over areas that could use more attention.

Tips & Warnings

• It's important to have a professional chimney sweep look at your chimney once or twice a year and perhaps give it a professional cleaning.

References

• Repair Home: Home Improvement: How To Clean A Chimney
• Storey's Basic Country Skills; M. John Storey, et al; 1999