Chimney upkeep is a serious matter, beyond the picture of carefree "chimney sweeps" from movie musicals. Over a long period of use, creosote, a flammable material formed by unburned tar vapors, can build up within chimneys. Since climbing up roofs or on ladders may be dangerous, you might want to employ a licensed chimney repairs and construction specialist to perform maintenance. It's beneficial to learn how to sweep a chimney if you're familiar with home improvement ventures.
DSS Roofing is the best chimney construction company in New York, having experience of more than 20 years in the chimney and other roofing services. To clean a roof chimney, the important tools required are duct tape, respirators and masks, safety glasses and sunglasses, ash buckets, fireplace tools and sets, flashlights, rope, dry vacuums, drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and wire brushes. Below are the steps to clean a roof chimney:
- Cover the floor around your fireplace with a plastic tarp or a painter's drop sheet. After that, clean out the firebox with ash and stray pieces of wood. Open the damper until it's clear of all loose debris. It's critical to separate the fireplace from the rest of your living room at this stage. Seal the front of the fireplace completely with heavy plastic sheeting and high-quality tape, leaving no holes. If you scrimp here, you may end up with fine dust all over your furniture!
- Many homeowners overlook safety gear when deciding how to clean a chimney. You'll need a pair of goggles to have a secure seal over your eyes. You could end up in the doctor's office if you tried to make do with common safe eyewear. A good dust cover, a few different styles of chimney brushes, and a sturdy ladder to get on the roof are also needed.
- Remove any hardware that is obstructing the top of the chimney, such as a chimney cap or an animal guard, and then get to work using the largest-diameter chimney brush. Brush from the top down, making your way down to the smoke rack, which is the flat field behind the damper in the "crook." Take your time to complete the task thoroughly. Replace the hardware you disconnected after cleaning the flue, making sure all fasteners are securely fastened. Make your way down the ladder safely.
- Allow some time for the dust you've kicked up in the firebox to settle. Peel apart a little hole in the taped seal you put over the firebox after the waiting time has passed. Reach through the gap with a smaller diameter chimney brush and scrub as high up into the chimney as the brush would allow. Cover the fireplace again when you're done, and let any remaining dust fall onto the firebox surface.
- Peeling back the plastic sheeting should be done carefully and intentionally. Learning how to clean a chimney and doing the job yourself necessitates caution until you've returned to stable land. If you stir up soot, you'll have to deal with a much bigger mess than the one you're currently dealing with.
Along with chimney repair in New York, DSS Roofing also deals with all kinds of roofing, siding, gutter, 24/7 emergency repair and snow removal services.
