Chimney Cleaning


Chimney CleaningWhen people think of chimney sweeps we often think of a character like Mr Gamfield from Oliver twist. With technological advancements, chimney cleaning has changed a lot since the Victorian era and still remains a booming business. Below we have outlined how chimneys are cleaned and how to maintain your chimney.

Cleaning your chimney

Gone are the archaic days when a young child old would climb up your chimney and manually brush it clean. Using modern methods your chimney is cleaned with extendable brushes that push up the flue from inside your house. The brushes are on flexible poles which bend to fit the angles of your chimney. More poles can be attached to create the required height. A vacuum cleaner collects the debris and dust as it becomes unsettled and the hearth is usually cleaned using stiff bristled brushes.

Cleaning your chimneyMost chimney sweeping companies work all year round. However if you have an emergency or need your chimney cleaned ready for winter you will have more chance of being seen right away at the close of spring when there is less demand for this kind of work.

Maintenance

At the end of the heating season (mid to the end of spring) is a good time to have your chimney evaluated. It is recommended that you have your chimney system evaluated each year to tell if your chimney needs cleaning and to detect any possible faults before they have a chance to become hazardous. Possible faults include cracks in the chimney, checking to see if joints need to be realigned and a harmful build up of debris. Debris such as deposits of creosote when left in abundance can cause fires in your whole chimney which can rapidly spread through your whole house.

MaintenanceDuring an evaluation chimney sweeps will check to see if you have a chimney cap in place. Caps are used to stop natural debris such as leaves, sticks, birds and more importantly rain and snow from falling down your chimney. Caps are available in a range of sizes to fit your chimney perfectly. When fitted, the cap can help improve ventilation and reduce downdrafts improving the consistency of your fire.

The damper of your chimney will also be inspected during an evaluation. A damper is an adjustable valve that is used to regulate the intake of air to your chimney. If your damper has become a little lose then it can be repositioned. After prolonged use the damper may weaken and become brittle. If the damper becomes damaged and parts fall of then a new damper will need to be fitted. Dampers are located at the top of the chimney flue and usually have a cable connected to a bracket to control the intake of air. The damper also has a cap to prevent debris from entering.