How to Clean and Maintain a Fireplace and Chimney

In this article we will give you some basic instructions for handyman Rockford IL. These will help you maintain your chimney properly and extend its lifespan, besides ensuring that it’s working well at all times.

Tools

– Flat fireplace shovel

– Gloves

– Bucket

– Spray bottle

– Soapy water

– Muriatic acid

Remove the Ashes

Start by getting rid of the ashes in the fireplace. During winter or when the weather is cold, don’t allow the ash build up to go above 2 inches. When the cold season is over, get rid of all the ashes that are in the fireplace. You can do this by using a fireplace shovel. Put all these ashes in the bucket. This will make your work so much easier. You can then carry and empty the bucket once done.

After doing this, then it’s time to use a vacuum which has a filter bag to get rid of all the ash.

Remove Soot and Fire Stains

When handyman Rockford, the next step will be to work on the firebox. This is not an easy task. Put soapy water in the spray bottle and then spray it on the firebox. Let it sit for 30 minutes. This will soften the soot. Then use a hard wire brush to start scrubbing the surface.

Remove Stubborn Stains

When chimney sweeping, muriatic acid is used to get rid of stubborn stains, since just soap and water won’t be enough. Since this chemical is quite strong and it can be harmful, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use it.

Start by mixing one part of the acid to ten parts of water and then apply this mixture to the firebox. Let it sit for at least half an hour before you start scrubbing using a metallic brush.

You need to work on the damper. Since this is a hard to reach area, make sure that you are wearing old clothes, gloves and goggles. Ensure that the damper can be easily opened and closed. Scrub with a metallic brush to get rid of the dust and dirt.

Clean the Chimney from the Outside

Even though handyman services Rockford IL is a job that should be done by an expert, there are a couple of things that you can handle on your own.

Check the chimney cap on a regular basis; get rid of any dirt and debris that might start building upon it.

Use a wire screen to keep debris out of the chimney. This will prevent things such as birds, leaves and other animals from building nests or getting into your chimney. This might happen if you don’t use the chimney frequently.

Check the mortar between the bricks to ensure that it’s in good working condition. It shouldn’t be broken or peeling off. Inspect the area where the chimney and the roof meet. This place should be watertight so that water doesn’t leak inside the house. In case it has any cracks, seal them up using caulk.