Since winter is almost here so it is the perfect time to get started on deep cleaning your chimney and fireplace and getting it ready for when you need to fire it up. If you have the tools, you can do it yourself. However, it’s better to leave it to chimney cleaning services for thorough cleaning.
Deep Cleaning The Fireplace
Cleaning the fireplace is crucial because if it’s clean, then it will perform well and you will keep the bitter chill of the winter away. Here are some things you need to do to deep clean your fireplace.
Clean The Base
You need to clean the floor of the fireplace. Whether it’s a wood-burning fireplace or it is a gas-operated fireplace, the bottom of the assembly can get black, slimy, and grimy. So, cleaning it is a must. You will need to scrub it with a coarse brush and a cleaning solution, but the goal is to remove the black hardened layer of soot so that the new fire burns up quickly and heats the place quickly.
The Walls Need Attention
If the base of the fireplace is dirty, then you are not ready for the walls, because they will be covered in black soot and creosote. Cleaning the walls of the fireplace is also very important because it not only makes the space look a lot cleaner, but it helps in the smooth and efficient performance of the fireplace too, so you’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
If you want, you can call in a professional to do this part, but it’s also really easy to do it by yourself. You just need one of those big and long brushes and long gloves to protect your hands.
Clean The Gas Burner
This is special if you have a gas-operated fireplace and this tip involves the cleaning of the burner from where the gas is led into the fireplace. A lot of the time, especially if the fireplace is sitting idle for a long time, the burner can get clogged and you can’t power up the fireplace until it’s cleaned.
So, you want to open up any clogs in the fireplace and then clean the holes of the burner. You will see the difference yourself when you go ahead and light up the fireplace.
Scrub The Fireplace
Another very important thing to do is the scrubbing of the fireplace once you’ve done all of these steps. This is considered the last step in the actual cleaning of the deep clean phase of the fireplace and you want to gather every last speck of dirt and soot from the fireplace and give it a good wipe down with either a duster or a vacuum cleaner.
It may sound like a lot, but you will see the results in the end for yourself and you’ll be glad that you went through the extra effort.
Power Up The Air Purifier
Lastly, this is just to freshen up the surroundings of the fireplace because cleaning the fireplace can turn your whole room into a clouded mess. So, you want to fire up the air purifier and have it clean all of the clouds of smoke and dirt out.
This is going to make the entire room fresh and you’ll be breathing in fresh air, especially after cleaning all of the grime from the fireplace, this is a step that you want to do. If you don’t have an air purifier, then at least open the windows to let fresh air in and let the room be nice and ventilated.
Deep Cleaning The Chimney
Now comes the chimney. It’s better if you clean the chimney first and then go for the fireplace, because it will save you a lot of time and energy and you’ll be able to clean everything in one fell swoop. So, here are ways you can deep clean a chimney.
Get A Professional
If your chimney is really old and you don’t know the first thing when it comes to deep cleaning a chimney, then maybe the DIY route isn’t for you and you’ll need some help from professionals for cleaning the fireplace and chimney.
This is where you can call in chimney contractors Ellicott City as they will get the job done for you. Yes, they might be a bit on the expensive side, but your chimney will look brand new and they can do a deep clean for you in a matter of a few hours, which is amazing.
Make Sure You Are Protected
When it comes to deep cleaning a chimney, you want to first ensure that you have all of the protective gear. That involves goggles, gloves, old clothes that you don’t mind ruining, and the right equipment to clean the chimney because that is the only crucial thing that will clean the chimney from the inside out.
Once you have all of the things ready to go, have them near you before you start the deep cleaning procedure.
Clean The Chimney Flue
Probably the most important yet hardest part of deep cleaning a chimney is the flue or chute of the chimney. It’s the passageway that allows the smoke to billow out of the house and up in the air, but it is also the hardest because it is very narrow and you don’t have a lot of wiggle room to clean the chimney.
So, you must have the right tools for it, which includes a tall and long brush. This will clean the sides, walls, and even the top of the chimney and get rid of creosote and soot and accumulated grime and you’ll have a clean chimney in no time.
Inspect For Critters
If your chimney is sitting idle for a long time, it can become a place of residence for small animals and birds. So, before cleaning the chimney and going down the chute elbows deep, you need to inspect the narrow space for any animals or critters.
You want to remove them gently from the chimney, and then clean it, because if you don’t, then it will be a surprise for both of you and something unpleasant can happen. So, always keep an eye on the chimney, especially from the top if there are any animals or birds in it.
A Final Sweep
This is the last step in the chimney deep cleaning phase and that includes a final sweep of the chimney. In this, you can take a bit of chimney cleaning solution and a wet brush or rag and wipe the walls with the solution a final time.
This is going to make the chimney look clean and it will also ensure that it performs well, and doesn’t choke or cause any problems in the winter, which is the last thing you need. So, go the extra mile, because it will be worth it afterward.
Conclusion
Chimneys and fireplaces get used a lot during the cold wintery months and if you don’t want any problems, then you might want to get your hands dirty now and enjoy the results later. If you want your chimney and fireplace to be cleaned professionally, contact chimney sweep services Bowie.