Springtime chimney cleaning is very important. A through cleaning is recommended after a long winter of burning fires. The initial cost of
purchasing a brush and the rods for cleaning your chimney can be in the $100 - $150 range depending on the size of your flue and the
height of your chimney. Many times a chimney sweep can charge up to $100 to clean your chimney depending on the height and how dirty it
is. Once you’ve purchased the brush and rods the rest of your chimney sweeping only requires some elbow grease instead of paying for a
cleaning. If you want to share the cost see if a neighbor might want to split it with you. Cleaning your chimney isn’t difficult; the hardest part
of the job is getting out the ladder. Once you’ve dug the ladder out of the garage you’re well on your way. Don’t forget to take a tape
measure, pen and paper up there with you, (there’s nothing worse than getting back on the ground and forgetting what the dimensions
were). Now that you’re on the roof if you have a chimney cap remove it. Some chimney caps can easily be removed by loosening 4 thumb
screws at the base. Some chimney caps are permanently mounted and the screws are on the lid.

Next measure the inside of your flue tiles and write it down. Take a good look at your chimney while you’re up there. Creosote will tend to be
the heaviest at the top of the chimney were it starts to cool during the burning process. If there appears to be little or no creosote buildup
just black soot a wire brush will work fine. If the creosote is really thick you may want to consider a flat wire brush that will give you more
surface contact.

Always use the bush that is the same size and the flue tiles. If the brush is too small you won’t make surface contact or if too large you will
jam the brush and bend the bristles. Next determine the total height of your chimney, from smoke chamber to the top. If it is a one story
home the chimney would average 15’, two story around 25’. Chimney brush rods are available in 3’ 4’ 5’ and 6’ sections that screw together.
Chimney brush rods are made of fiberglass and are very flexible; they can bend 90 degrees or more. This allows for cleaning any bends in
your chimney.

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