How to Use Chimney Brushes

Chimney brushes are made from tough, wire bristles.

A roaring fireplace is a cold-season comfort that can add both warmth and value to your home. But without regular cleaning, a tar-like substance called creosote can build up in your chimney, which can lead to toxic smoke and chimney fires. Fortunately, with the proper use of a chimney brush, you can remove creosote buildup from your chimney walls and ensure the safety of your fireplace.

Things You'll Need

• Protective mask
• Protective eyewear
• Tarp
• Fireplace cover or plastic sheet
• Tape
• Extension rod
• Vacuum
• Flashlight

Instructions

1. Cover your floor and furniture with a tarp, especially items that are within several feet of your fireplace. This will prevent dust, ash and other debris from damaging your items. This is especially important if you are going to clean the chimney from inside your home, rather than from the roof. If you will clean the chimney with the brush from your roof, then you need to seal the fireplace or stove with a fireplace cover or a heavy-duty plastic bag that you tape around the edges of the fireplace. This will prevent the ash and debris from entering your home.

2. Put on protective eyewear and a face mask.

3. Go onto your roof where you have access to the chimney. Be very careful when walking on your roof and have an assistant hold a ladder if you need one to gain access to your roof. You don't have to clean the chimney from the roof down, but it may create less mess inside of your home.

4. Attach the chimney brush to the extension rod and insert the brush into your chimney so that it goes all the way down to your chimney's flue.

5. Scrub the walls thoroughly with the brush, agitating all four of the wall interiors. Start at the bottom and gradually work the brush up until you reach the top of the chimney. If you want to clean the chimney from inside of your home, insert the chimney brush and extension pole all the way to the top of the chimney and gradually scrub the wall interiors all the way down to the bottom. Be careful, however, because as you brush the chimney walls, you can expect debris to fall down the chimney and into the room where you are working.

6. Shine a flashlight up or down the chimney to make sure that you don't see any serious buildup of ash or tar. If you see buildup, insert the chimney brush again and scrub that area until the debris is gone.

7. Sweep or vacuum all debris from the fireplace before removing the interior tarp. If you have sealed your fireplace, unseal one part large enough to fit a vacuum hose inside. Once you have vacuumed all of the debris out of the fireplace, you can completely remove the seal.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure the length of your chimney with a carpenter's ruler. You need to know the size of your chimney so that you can purchase the correct size of chimney brush. A brush that is too long could get stuck in the chimney and a brush that is too short will not provide enough pressure to clean the walls properly

• Do not attempt to clean your chimney from the roof of your home unless you have an assistant who can help you gain access to the roof, and monitor your progress and safety. Keep children and pets away from chimney brushes, which contain sharp, metal bristles.

References

• University of Arizona Extension; Wood Stove and Fireplace Safety
• NorthlineExpress.com: How to Clean a Chimney