How to Clean Sweep Your Chimney
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Chimneys need periodic examination and thorough cleaning to maintain system efficiency and to reduce
the danger of chimney fire. Build-up of creosote and soot that accumulates on the chimney walls reduces
the draft needed by the stove or fireplace. Creosote is flammable and can easily fuel a chimney fire. If a
fire has occurred, have your chimney thoroughly inspected by a certified professional before attempting to
reuse. Have all defects or cracks repaired by a certified chimney sweep or mason. Methodical cleanings
through the heating season combined with systematic use of effective creosote and soot inhibitors,
provides the best solution for trouble-free chimney and heating system performance.
Chimney Sweep® Brush Construction:
Our brushes are a combination of the finest American construction techniques and the best materials.
There are two significant design considerations in making a quality chimney cleaning brush, stem
construction and the number and placement of the bristles. Stem Construction: Chimney Sweep®
Chimney Brushes are all made using "double stem" construction which incorporates two pieces of stem
wire bent double to form the spindle core of the brush. After the bristles are inserted, these stem wires are
twisted to make a core that is strong and rigid enough to prevent bending when the brush is being used
and to securely hold the bristles in position without loosening after years of hard use. Chimney Sweep®
brush stems utilize two different wire thicknesses, one that allows a shaft diameter large enough for a male
3/8" National Pipe Thread (NPT) connector, and one that has 1/4" National Pipe Threads ( NPT).
Bristle Patterns: The bristles of each wire brush are made of domestic spring quality oil tempered wire.
Some imported brushes sacrifice useful brush life for an initial price advantage by using softer, less
expensive wire.
The important difference between a single spiral and a double spiral bristle pattern is that the double spiral
requires more material to manufacture and provides substantially more bristles to scrub the chimney
surface.
Equipment Needed:
A correctly sized chimney brush, protective covering for furniture and rugs, tape, metal bucket, small
shovel, a broom or vacuum cleaner, rope and accessory pull rings.
Directions:
Read Caution Statement Prior To Beginning Work.
IMPORTANT: TIGHTEN ALL BRUSH FITTINGS SECURELY - COMPLETELY EXTINGUISH
THE FIRE BEFORE BEGINNING CLEANING. BE SURE THE CHIMNEY IS COLD ALONG
IT'S ENTIRE LENGTH. BE AWARE OF HOT ASHES, DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY.
Measure your chimney carefully to determine the correct brush size and shape to select. Chimney brushes
are available in 3 shapes, round, square and rectangular. See the drawing for how to correctly measure
the chimney. Carefully measure the inside of the tile or pre-fab opening. Note: An oversize brush will not
improve cleaning action and will easily become lodged or stuck in the chimney. An undersize brush will
not provide enough pressure on the walls for proper cleaning.
Here are four common methods to control the brush for effective cleaning.
1. Flexible Rod Method: Top Down - Attach the brush securely to the flexible rod and lower into the top
of the chimney, add more rods as necessary to reach the bottom of the flue. Seal off fireplace or stove
opening to prevent soot and debris from entering the home.
2. Flexible Rod Method: Bottom-up - Insert brush and rod up through the fireplace damper or chimney
clean-out door. Add more rods as necessary to reach the top of the chimney. This method is often messy
since sealing the opening cannot be done during cleaning. Cover area around opening to prevent staining
rugs, furniture, etc.
3. Line and weight method: Try this method when the top opening of the chimney is permanently restricted
by a chimney cap. Securely attach a compact 20 pound weight (minimum) to one end of the brush with a
screw on accessory pull ring and attach a rope that is more than long enough to reach the bottom of the
flue, to the other end of the brush. Seal off fireplace or stove opening to prevent soot and debris from
entering the home.
4. Dual line Method: This method requires two people, one on the roof and one below at the clean-out or
fireplace opening. Attach a rope to each end of the brush. Drop one rope down the chimney to the
person below. Clean by alternately pulling the ropes to vigorously move the brush up and down in the
flue. This method is often messy since sealing the opening cannot be done during cleaning. Cover area
around opening to prevent staining rugs, furniture etc.
For All Methods - Sweep or vacuum up all residue prior to using stove or fireplace. Be especially careful
to check for debris behind the damper, in the smoke shelf area and in elbows or "T" connections. Clean
brush after each use, and lightly coat it with a rust preservative before storing.
PELLET STOVE / CLOTHES DRYER VENT BRUSH
Pellet stoves need periodic examination and thorough cleaning to maintain efficiency and to reduce the
chance of a plugged vent or a chimney fire. Build-up of ash and soot that accumulates reduces the draft
needed by the stove. Methodical cleanings through the heating season combined with proper burning of
fuel provides the best solution for trouble-free performance. If a fire has occurred,have your chimney and
installation thoroughly inspected by a certified professional before attempting to reuse. Have all defects
repaired by a certified chimney sweep or mason. Pellet stove vent cleaning brushes are designed to turn
sharp corners without getting caught. These brushes work equally well for removing accumulated lint and
dust from commercial and residential clothes dryer vents. Excess lint build-up can be especially hazardous
in gas fired systems.
Directions: Carefully measure the inside of your stove vent opening to determine the correct brush size to
select.
1. Cover the work area with a protective covering to prevent staining rugs, furniture, etc.
2. Disconnect the vent pipe from the chimney and from the stove. Seal off stove opening to prevent soot
from entering the home.
3. After making both ends of the vent accessible, insert the brush and rod into the upper end of the vent
pipe. Place a fireproof container under the pipe end to catch the debris that you dislodge. Push rod
through the vent to push debris out the other end.
To complete the project: Re-assemble stove vent pipe. Sweep or vacuum up all residue prior to using
stove. Be especially careful to check for debris in elbows or "T" connections. Clean brush after use.
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