A clean fireplace and chimney is your best defense against a dangerous chimney fire.
Steps:
1. Buy a set of chimney rods and brushes at the hardware store.
2. Change into old clothes and don safety goggles and a dust mask. Lay out a clean tarp in front of the fireplace. Cover the fireplace opening with a plastic tarp held on with duct tape.
3. Open the fireplace's damper. This is the metal door up inside the fireplace, located just above the firebox; it prevents cold air from entering your home when you don't have a fire burning.
4. Carefully climb up on your roof, taking the rods and brushes with you.
5. Remove the chimney cap - sometimes called a spark arrestor - and check it for weather damage. The purpose of the chimney cap is to keep sparks from escaping your chimney. It also serves to keep out rain, small animals and debris.
6. Assemble the chimney rods and brushes according to the equipment manufacturer's directions.
7. Run the brush down the chimney, using a short up-and-down plunging motion. Some brushes are designed to twist as well.
8. Go back inside the house and use a short chimney brush to clean the flue, which is the pipe that runs between the fireplace and the chimney.
9. Use a vacuum cleaner or small broom and dustpan to remove the cold ashes and creosote from the fireplace and the damper.
10. Brush the floor and walls of the fireplace with a stiff, dry scrub brush.
11. Use the brush to clean the creosote built up behind the damper.
12. Reach through the damper with a vacuum hose and vacuum the creosote out of the 'smoke shelf,' a cavity behind the fireplace.
13. Vacuum up all of the dust and debris.
Tips:
Many fire departments recommend a yearly chimney inspection.
Consider hiring a chimney service to inspect your chimney and fireplace for possible dangers and to clean them out. This should cost less than $100.
Warnings:
Don't use water to clean the fire brick or cement blocks. It could affect heat retention.
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