In a typical chimney, creosote buildup poses a significant fire risk and needs regular cleaning. In addition, other dirty things like bird nests, dead animals, or debris can clog. As a chimney professional, the right chimney cleaning tools are required to properly clear any blockage and prevent a chimney fire from leading to a house fire.
Below we’ve provided a list of essential chimney cleaning tools for techs in 2022, which you’ll need to get the job done appropriately.
1. Smoke chamber brush
Not cleaning up the smoke chamber ultimately can lead to dangerous house fires. A smoke chamber brush is the most common chimney cleaning tool on this list that is essential for getting the job done well and on time. This allows you to eliminate hazards like soot from the smoke chamber of the client’s chimney before it falls into the firebox and creates incidents.
That way, clients will have a chimney that’s not only clean but also safe.
2. Chimney cleaning rods
The round wire or polypropylene brushes come as standalone chimney cleaning tools and must be paired with rods of the correct length. They are attached to the brush, and you or your sweep scale the brush the entire length of the chimney interior, cleaning every nook and cranny along the way.
These brushes come in several sizes, so there’s never a worry over whether a brush can be made long enough.
3. Canvas drop cloths
This cloth works to help contain the messy buildup that cleaning a chimney often creates. A chimney sweeper should avoid plastic drip clothes, as this material can cause static electricity. In addition, the cleaned materials from the chimney are flammable, which can be dangerous.
4. Full-face respirator
It might sound shocking but being a chimney sweep means being constantly exposed to hazardous chemicals. These carcinogens can be dangerous to your breathing over the long term if you don’t do anything to combat them.
A full-faced, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is an essential chimney cleaning tool you need in your bag of tricks. These respirators come with a commercial-grade HEPA filter that provides clean air while removing contaminants from the air.
5. Specialized chimney camera
Specialized Chimney Camera is an amazing chimney cleaning tool that can inspect areas thoroughly in the chimney with a specialized camera suited for the job. Run the camera entirely in the duct and pipes to check for buildup.
These can reach the chimney areas that hand-and-mirror setup cannot get. They provide a complete picture and can record the feed for later review.
6. Chimney cleaning logs
It can make the creosote easier to get off by turning it into chips, but it won’t get your chimney clean and eliminate the remains of creosote. It is left behind when wood burns, is very flammable, and can quickly catch fire if the chimney is dirty.
That’s why it’s so essential that you get your fireplace and chimney cleaned by professionals with the proper chimney cleaning tools before you plan on using your fireplace in the winter season.
Final words
Having your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional is essential in ensuring your family’s safety during the burning season.
To enjoy the fire safely, contact Smoky Sweeper to get your fireplace and chimney professionally cleaned before using them. Professional technicians are trained to safely clean your chimney and look for creosote or chemical debris signs.
