Chimneys need regular maintenance and cleaning in
order to protect against fire hazards. You should do a thorough
clean each spring, after the heating season but can also do cleaning
during the winter to prevent build up. What precautions do you need
to take when cleaning your chimney?
Protect Yourself When Doing Chimney Cleaning
When cleaning your chimney yourself you need to take special precautions
to protect yourself first – wear a mask to prevent breathing
in dust, wear protection over your eyes and also gloves. You should
also be constantly aware of dangers such as electrical and fire
hazards, as well as being careful when handling the brushes used
to clean your chimney.
You should also protect the areas surrounding the fireplace and
chimney as the soot and debris from the chimney can damage the furniture
and rugs in the area and so you should cover these before beginning
your work.
It is best to leave the chimney for a while before attempting to clean
it to allow the fireplace and chimney to cool as much as possible
and always be aware of hot coals and remove these carefully and properly.
What You Need to Do Chimney Cleaning
When doing chimney cleaning you will need some special brushes
and rods to clean with and the brushes you choose will depend on
the size of your chimney. You will also need some other supplies
such as a small shovel, a metal bucket and powerful flashlight.
Can a Contractor Assist You?
If chimney cleaning sounds complicated or too much of a chore to
you then you may want to hire a contractor to come in and clean
your chimney. You can find chimney cleaning contractors in the HandyAmerican.com
database in your area. Contact a few and find out how much they
would charge to come and clean your chimney and then call them in
when you are ready to have your chimney cleaned again.
Chimney cleaning should be done regularly but also carefully to
avoid dangers. You should always protective clothing such as eye
protection, a dust mask and gloves to clean your chimney and should
also protect the area surrounding the chimney from dust and soot
that could damage your furniture or carpets.
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