How to Clean a ChimneyChimneys need to be cleaned at least once a year, or three times per year if you use the fire daily to burn solid fuels such as wood and coal. 

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Step 1: Prepare Surrounding Area

• Remove all items from in front of the fireplace, moving back any furniture as much as possible. 

• Cover furniture and other dust-sensitive items in the room with an old sheet as chimney sweeping will create a very fine airborne dust.

Step 2: Lay Tarpaulin

• Roll back any rugs and lay down a tarpaulin or heavy floor covering in front of the fireplace.

Step 3: Remove Grate & Clean Fireplace

• Wearing your dust mask and protective gloves and eyewear, remove the surrounds and grate from the fireplace. 

• Taking care not to breathe in soot or creosote dust, shovel out any ash or debris from the fireplace.

Step 4: Inspect Chimney

• Use a torch to look up the flue. 

• Check for any birds that may have taken up residence. Inspect for any cracks or missing firebricks

• Check the thickness of any creosote build-up using a blade or scraper; if it is more than 3mm thick, it is definitely time for a clean.

Step 5: Select Chimney Brush

• Determine the size and shape of the flue. It should be either square or round, 6 inch or 8 inch. 

• You should have more than enough rods to allow the chimney brush to reach the entire length of the chimney.

• Push the rod up the flue until the bottom end of the rod is in the middle of the fireplace.

Step 6: Set Up Dust Control

• This step is optional but highly recommended.

• Use masking tape to attach a dust sheet or cardboard to the fireplace surround. 

•  Cut a 6 inch slot in the dust sheet with a scissors for the end of the rod to come through.

Step 7: Add More Rods & Start Scrubbing

• Through the hole in the dust sheet or cardboard, attach another rod to lengthen your chimney brush. 

• With a hard and vigorous thrust, scrub the flue with the brush, adding more rods as you proceed up the flue.

Step 8: Withdraw Brush & Remove Soot

• You will know you have reached the top of the chimney when you feel a sudden reduction in friction and effort.

• Withdraw the brush unscrewing one rod at a time.

• Unscrew the last rod, let the brush fall into the soot pile. 

• Remove the brush and carefully shovel the pile of soot into a metal bucket.

Step 9: Vacuum & Finish

• An ash vacuum will make the clean-up easier. 

• Reassemble the grate and surrounds, and shake out sheets or coverings outside. 

• Soot can be disposed of by burial, as although it is flammable it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

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