Are you wondering how to clean a wood stove chimney from the bottom up? So, you have seven easy steps that you can follow with ease, I’m sure. For the most part, homeowners ignore the need to have their chimneys cleaned.
As tedious as it may seem, keeping your fireplace and chimney clean has several benefits. One of the most important benefits is that it keeps your house safer by reducing fire risk.
In many ways, the bottom-up approach resembles the top-down approach, except that it is far more secure. Keep your chimney clean and free of debris by following our step-by-step guide to the bottom-up technique. You won’t have to climb to the top of the building to complete the task.
Steps To Clean A Wood Stove Chimney From The Bottom Up
So, how to clean a wood stove chimney from the bottom up? Here are the following steps that you should follow:
Step #1. Choosing the best chimney brush
Before you start cleaning your chimney, make sure you have all of the necessary tools. As a result of the wide range of chimney brushes on the market, you must first measure the inside dimensions of your chimney before beginning the cleaning process. The best brush to use has poly bristles. Because they can scratch the inner wall, you should avoid wire chimney brushes. Instead, use something solid to clean the walls of any remaining soot or dirt. Here’s when and how to clean your chimney.
Step #2. Choosing the best rod
Various materials are used to make chimney rods, such as nylon, fiberglass, and polypropylene. If your chimney does not have any unusual angles, you can get away with only using a rod. Nylon is the chosen material for chimney sweeps because of its flexibility.
Being so pliable lends itself to an array of unique uses for polypropylene. Find something flexible and durable that is comfortable for you and can withstand heavy use.
Step #3. Ensuring protection around the chimney
Before doing anything else, be sure that the place is safe by performing a second security check. Yes, you read it right. Before undertaking any work, make sure the space has been adequately protected around the chimney. When cleaning a chimney, it’s easy to make a big mess, and soot can be tough to get off most clothes.
Use drop cloths to cover the flooring and any furniture you plan to work on to prevent damage. Then, any worries about soot on your couch or your living room floors are over. Even if it seems like a lot of extra work now, you’ll be pleased you did it later.
Step #4. Preparing protective equipment
It’s not the same as wiping down your home’s surfaces when it comes to cleaning the chimney of soot. It would help if you avoided inhalation and getting it in your eyes. Protective eyewear and breathing equipment, therefore, is a brilliant idea. With gloves, you can prevent soot from getting on your hands.
Furthermore, it’s better to be safe than sorry most of the time. No matter how apprehensive you are about getting dirty, having the proper safety equipment can keep you safe from the worst the chimney has to give.
Step #5. Installing the first piece of pipe
You will assemble not all of your cleaning supplies here. Create the initial part of your pipe by using the brush as a construction tool. You’re ready to light the fire once you’ve placed the brush in the chimney’s firebox. Scrub the flue with the brush and rod until no more soot is emitted. If it’s been a while since you did this, you may have to go through it all over again before you can proceed.
Step #6. Repeating the process
The higher you climb the chimney, the more chimney rod you add. Attach a second piece and continue brushing up the chimney back and forth. Wash and add pieces to the flue until it is clean. Unless you get professional help, the chimney is as clean as it will get without more soot cascading from its heights.
Step #7. Cleaning up everything
It’s time to tidy up after cleaning the chimney. First, make a cautious re-entry into the chimney with your cleaning equipment, including a rod and brush. Once the rods have been removed from the chimney, you can begin disassembling them. When the rods are drawn out, it’s the easiest time to do this.
Nothing is more complicated than a brush and a dustpan to deal with spilled fuel from the firebox. To clean out the firebox of soot and ash, you can use an ash vacuum. If your drop cloths are still clean, fold them up and throw them in the trash.
Effective Ways In Removing Creosote
If you haven’t cleaned the chimney in a while, creosote may have amassed in every crevice of it. In the long run, a fireplace or chimney filled with creosote increases your fire risk.
Using specially formulated liquids, powders, or sprays can limit the growth of creosote. To lessen creosote accumulation in your fireplace, sprinkle these additives directly on the wood or on a blazing fire. Then, the only thing left to do is use your chimney sweep brush to remove the ash. Read how to remove creosote from wood stove.
Is It Effective To Use Chimney Cleaning Logs?
Their effectiveness is not what you may expect. They also don’t work the way you’d expect them to, unfortunately. Nevertheless, regularly using the chimney cleaning logs helps prevent creosote buildup by as much as 60%. While chimney cleaning logs can help, if your fireplace already has evident creosote deposits, they won’t help much. Instead, start by removing any accumulation in the chimney and then use chimney cleaning logs to keep it clean to reduce the amount of creosote generated.
It’s A Wrap!
You’ve already known how to clean a wood stove chimney from the bottom up. In seven excellent steps, I’m sure you can keep it clean. Remember how crucial cleanliness is, not just for it to appear clean, but also to make you healthy. You may want to read how to install a pellet stove through the chimney and how to clean a pellet stove chimney.