Things You'll Need
Drop cloth or old sheets
Chimney brush the right size for your chimney
Old blanket or sheet
Long rope
Ladder
Shop vacuum
Creosote, a flammable, oily buildup and natural byproduct of wood fires, will coat the inside of your chimney the more fires you burn in your fireplace or stove. A layer of creosote and soot forms most heavily in the top third of your chimneys, and it must be cleaned off regularly to prevent chimney fires. Other chimney hazards cleared during cleaning include bird nests, leaves and other debris, all of which can block smoke and other emissions and cause carbon monoxide buildup inside your home. You can hire a professional chimney sweep or clean your chimney yourself using a chimney brush. Mobile home chimneys must be at least 3 feet higher than the roof and at least 2 feet higher than everything within a 10-foot radius. This means that cleaning it yourself is doable if the roof of your mobile home is reachable by ladder and safe to walk upon, and if your chimney is stable enough to hold your weight against or on it.
Step 1
Clear the fire surround and the hearth from decorative objects and fireplace tools. Cover the floor around your fireplace (3 or 4 feet out) with a drop cloth, sheet(s) or old newspapers. If you cannot move nearby furniture, cover it as well.
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Step 2
Hang a damp sheet or blanket in front of the fireplace opening to prevent falling debris from drifting into the living area. Open the flue.
Step 3
Reach the roof using a ladder and, from the top of the chimney, push the chimney brush connected to a long rope down toward the fireplace below. Move the brush up and down (with the rope) to loosen creosote, soot and other debris.
Step 4
Allow the loosened particles to settle for an hour before removing the damp sheet or blanket covering the fireplace opening.
Step 5
Suck up debris with a shop vacuum.
Tip
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, gloves and dust mask to protect your skin lungs.
Warning
It is easier to clean a chimney that is still warm from a recent fire; however, make sure the fire is completely extinguished before trying this.
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