Dallas Cleaning Blog

A dirty chimney is a fire hazard as well as a health hazard.

Build-up of creosote and soot inside chimney walls prevents the draft that is needed by the fireplace from getting through and thus smoke is forced back down into the open air, which then pollutes the air being breathed. In addition, built-up creosote is highly flammable and chimney fires can result.

Chimneys should be periodically checked for build-up and cleaned, either by a professional or by the homeowner using the proper equipment and instructions.

• Equipment Needed
• Brooms
• Vacuum with crevice tool attachments
• Duct Tape
• Plastic Tarp or disposable drop cloths
• Chimney rod and brush – these can be purchased at any hardware store or home and garden store
• Dust Mask
• Extension Ladders (tall enough to reach upper areas)
• Safety Goggles

Instructions for Prep and Safety

Before starting prepare to be very dirty when finished. Wear old clothing or even overalls to protect clothing. Safety goggles and a dust mask are imperative to prevent eye damage and inhalation of creosote dust particles.

Cover the area around the fireplace with a plastic tarp or disposable drop cloth. The tarp should protect a large area in front of and around the fireplace from falling debris and soot. Secure the tarp with duct tape or double sided tape.

Place the extension ladder up against the outside of the house. Have someone hold it securely or make sure it is footed well and secure.

From Top to Bottom

Before going to the roof, open the fireplace’s damper – the box just inside the fireplace with a metal door that keeps cold air out of the fireplace and house when the fireplace is not being used.
Take the chimney rod and chimney brush and go up on the roof to where the chimney is located. If there is a chimney cap, or spark arrestor as some people call it, remove it to allow access to the inside walls of the chimney.

Using the chimney rods and brushes, begin cleaning the inside walls of the chimney. Use scrubbing motions or twisting motions as needed to thoroughly clean the walls of accumulated creosote and soot. When finished, go back down the ladder and into the house.

Inside Out

Once inside the house, clean the area between the fireplace and chimney, known as the flue, using the chimney brush.

Using the vacuum and crevice attachments remove the old soot, ashes and creosote from the fireplace bottom and the damper area. This can also be done using a broom and dustpan.

Use the stiff bristled brush to clean the floor and walls of the fireplace and to clean the creosote from the damper. Using the crevice attachment hooked to the vacuum remove the creosote from the smoke shelf, an area accessed through the damper that is a cavity behind the fireplace.

Clean Up the Clean Up

Finally, vacuum up all dirt and debris that has accumulated from cleaning the chimney. Remove the tape from the tarp or disposable drop cloth and bring in one corner at a time to collect the debris in the center. Fold up and toss in the trash.

Keeping a clean chimney all winter long is important to both safety and health. A few hours of time spent cleaning can be vital to a family’s well being.