A chimney is an extremely important part of the house, as not only is it a source of ventilation and warmth, but it adds to the aesthetic sense of your home in a major way. It is therefore of equal importance that the maintenance of this vital part of the home is done carefully and effectively by hiring a reputable agency to carry it out. There are innumerable outlets offering chimney cleaning services, but only a handful are licensed. Not only that, they do not even possess the basic modern equipment which is necessary to carry out this delicate job. The only way to ensure a safe fireplace for your home is by timely cleaning by a qualified professional.
The biggest single most problem with chimneys is the excessive buildup of creosote and soot in the vent pipe. Creosote is the major factor behind most home fires as not only is it highly inflammable, but very difficult to remove if left unattended for some time. Fires that produce more smoke leave behind more creosote deposits, which in turn hinder the passage of toxic gases out of your chimney. This is the reason that the cleaning is carried out by using good cleaning tools.
Sweep Tools
The basic cleaning tools used by chimney cleaning experts these days are brushes, chemical cleaners and vacuums.
Brushes
The primary brush used for cleaning is a long wire brush which is both flexible and strong. This will allow it to reach all corners of the chimney including the hard to reach spaces. Wire bristle brushes are used to remove the excess creosote. Hand brushes are best for tight spots and chimney cap and smoke chamber. They come in a variety of sizes for all areas big or small.
Vacuums
As cleaning of the chimney can result in a lot of mess a vacuum cleaner is used to prevent the dirt from entering the house. They also help in removing pollutants from the air.
Chemical cleaners
Chemical agents are resorted to in areas of very high creosote buildup which cannot be removed by the basic brushes. Soot deposits in the walls of the flue lining are also best removed by application of chemicals. These chemicals reduce the dangerous creosote into a brittle state, that can be easily brushed off with a chimney brush. These cleaners also help in keeping the fireplace attractive looking.
The chimney cleaning industry is highly unregulated and that is why untrained personnel try to take advantage by offering low rates. Keep in mind that only a trained person can carry out this job and not just anyone who may pose as a chimney cleaning professional. In the same way, do it yourself methods for cleaning shouldn’t be resorted to, as they can never be deemed dependable.
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