How to clean the furnace channels from soot. Do-it-yourself oven repair. Burning aspen wood
IN countryside and cottage villages, stoves and fireplaces are gaining popularity again. And sooner or later there comes a time when the stove and chimney need cleaning. Cleaning of chimneys and stoves from soot is carried out at least 1 time in 2 months.
Why clean your chimney and stove?
Soot deposits form in the furnace and on the walls of the chimney. Gradually, the draft becomes too weak and it is no longer possible to operate the stove normally. Ugar gets into the room, which is very dangerous.
Soot and dust are the main causes of fire. Often a fire starts in a chimney. The products of combustion through the cracks fall on wooden structures overlap. Here's how it all goes.
Soot inside the chimney
The chimney can become clogged from the top. Especially if the pipe is not closed by a deflector. IN summer period birds or wasps can easily make nests there.
An increased soot content in the chimney can be the result of errors in the construction of the furnace. Somewhere the pipe narrows, somewhere there is an extra turn. The slightest mistake increases the formation of soot in such places.
To remove all combustion products and other debris from the chimney, regular cleaning should be carried out. This will avoid narrowing the chimney duct and avoid a fire.
The frequency of cleaning the chimney and stove
What is the frequency of cleaning? This information can be found in the table:
| Type of work and equipment | When to do it |
| Prevention of chimney channels and chimney (visual inspection): | |
| Any equipment | After installation, before start-up or after repair |
| Seasonal equipment | Start of the heating season |
| Gas ovens and boilers | At least 2 times a year, after 2 years - at least 1 time per year |
| brick chimney | At least once a quarter |
| Other types of chimneys | At least once every 12 months |
| Chimneys of heating and heating-cooking stoves | Beginning, end and middle of the heating season |
| Chimney cleaning - elimination of identified deficiencies during inspections and additionally: | |
| B for heating and cooking (periodically) | At least once a quarter |
| In continuous furnaces | At least 1 time in 2 months |
| In ovens for continuous cooking | Every month |
| Cleaning the heads from frost - at least 1 time in 2 months | |
How to clean the chimney from soot when it is already clogged? Below are step by step instructions.
Mechanical and manual cleaning
For mechanical cleaning of chimneys, the same tools are used today as 200 years ago. The technology itself hasn't changed much either. Cleaning is carried out from the side of the roof and from the side of the oven.
Tools and materials
To perform cleaning from the side of the roof, use:
It is important that the load has the correct center of gravity. Otherwise, it may get stuck. It is ideal to use a round metal core as a load. It is they who break through the blockage. And only then the brushes come into play.
If there is no suitable brush at hand, you can make it yourself from an old plastic bottle. Step-by-step instruction below.
How to make a ruff with your own hands?
There is another option for making a brush with your own hands:
Brush in the form of a brush with your own hands
Roof side cleaning
The whole process consists of 6 steps:
Cleaning the chimney from the stove
The previous method will allow you to clean the channel only up to the first turn. Further, another tool will help to clean the stove from soot without disassembling it. You can't use gravity.
The furnace must be provided with special hatches for cleaning. To do this, use another tool. A section with a length of 3 - 5 m will help to clean a special brush with a rigid but flexible fiberglass cable. Such a set is sold in hardware stores.
There is also a more specific tool:
Chimney cleaning tool
Such a device allows you to clean a longer area. The easiest way to clean the outer chimney. But only if it is properly assembled.
Step-by-step instruction:
Chemical cleaning
Regular preventive maintenance using special chemicals will help simplify the process of mechanical cleaning. The principle of operation of these funds is different. But the essence is the same: to clean existing deposits and prevent the formation of new ones.
The principle of cleaning the chimney with chemicals
These chemicals are discussed in more detail below.
"Smoke"
The most common means of this group is called "Smoke". Producer - firm "Ecolas", Russia. Under this trademark, 3 products are produced:
It is very simple to apply these funds: just place them in the firebox and set fire to it. Burning, they clean the chimney. As a result, part of the soot and other deposits will crumble, and the other part will fly out into the chimney along with smoke. Moreover, the chemical will act for another 14 days. And the effect of its use lasts for 3 months.
HANSA products
The German firm HANSA has focused its efforts on the fight against creosote. This is the very sticky base on which soot sits.
The drug has a double effect. On the one hand, it contributes to a more complete combustion of fuel. Due to this, soot is practically not formed. On the other hand, it reacts with creosote at high temperatures. As a result, he loses moisture and all growths crumble.
In our country, these chemicals are better known under the brand name "Chimney sweep". Such a tool can be bought in the form of a loose mixture or already packaged in bags. 
Use it like this:
- They are used for prevention: 1 - 2 dipsticks (included in the kit) are added to the fuel during the start of the furnace every 4 - 5 furnaces.
- Use for cleaning: burn required amount in the furnace.
There is also a chimney sweep log. It is placed in a heated firebox and set on fire. It should burn out completely. This cleaning is recommended every 30 days.
These chemicals even cope with a brick pipe. Usually it is its cleaning that presents the biggest problem due to the porous structure of the brick itself.
Cleaner Kominichek
Country of origin Czech Republic. The tool is also popular in Russia. It is a crystalline mixture in sachets of 14 g.
Cleaner Kominichek
- The tool turns soot into a substance that burns even at low temperatures.
- This tool will not cope with a strong plaque. The soot layer should not exceed 2 mm.
- Processing should be carried out only with tightly closed combustion chamber. The agent is toxic.
- This tool is not suitable for cleaning the fireplace.
Other means
There are many such funds. Experts recommend trying a few and choosing the best for yourself. In addition to those already described, the following are in demand:
Folk remedies for cleaning chimneys
Clean the chimney of soot folk remedies is also possible. And their effectiveness has been proven by many generations of our ancestors.
Boiling water
The easiest way to clean the pipe from soot is ordinary boiling water. He will cope even with a very strong raid. To do this, before kindling the stove, it is enough to pour several liters of boiling water into the pipe from above. The rest of the soot will fly out into the chimney along with the smoke.
Salt
Another old-fashioned way is to add a couple of handfuls of ordinary table salt to the firewood. But this remedy is only suitable for prevention. He can not cope with strong growths. 
Naphthalene
Ordinary naphthalene will also help. It is enough to throw 1 - 2 tablets into the fire. The soot will fall off and burn. Or it will go up the chimney along with the smoke.
But this method has one significant drawback. Naphthalene has a very specific smell. It won't be easy to get rid of him. And not everyone likes it. 
Potato peelings
Another effective remedy for preventing the formation of soot growths is ordinary potatoes. Usually only cleaning of this root crop is used. But you can finely chop the potatoes themselves.
Cleanings are placed in a well-heated firebox and burned in it. The starch evaporates and effectively dissolves soot buildup. It also prevents the formation of new ones. 
A mixture of coal, copper sulfate and sulfur
The recipe is as follows:
- copper sulfate - 5 parts;
- coal - 2 parts;
- saltpeter - 7 parts.
Such a composition is used in small quantities, burning with fuel. For a ton of firewood, only 200 g of the product is enough. For a fireplace, this method of cleaning is not suitable. Vapors are toxic and must not enter the room. Therefore, the firebox door must be tightly closed.
Using special firewood
Another way to deal with soot is special firewood. To do this, use alder or aspen. Wood burns quickly and emits special fumes during combustion. They contribute to the exfoliation of soot from the walls and combustion.
Despite the fact that such firewood cannot be used for heating due to low heat transfer, it is still necessary to have a supply of them. From time to time, the furnace firebox is completed by burning a few of these logs.
Sparks may fly out of the pipe. They can get on neighboring buildings and cause a fire. Therefore, the pipe is protected from above with a deflector, and the combustion process of such firewood is controlled.
How to avoid or minimize clogged pipes in the future?
To reduce problems to a minimum, it is enough to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- In the process of burning softwood, too much resin is formed. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it for heating.
- The humidity of firewood should not exceed 12%. To do this, they are pre-dried indoors for several days. The use of raw fuel contributes to increased soot formation. And reduces the heating efficiency by 30 - 40%.
- It is advisable to use firewood at least two years old for burning the stove.
- The stove or fireplace must not be used to burn garbage.
- Periodically, it is worth completing the firebox by burning an armful of firewood from aspen or alder. This is a good prevention against the formation of soot.
It is important to follow the schedule of preventive examinations, which is given above. These measures will help to avoid contamination of the chimney and creating an emergency.
Prices for chimney sweeps and where to find them?
The profession of a chimney sweep is again in demand due to the fact that cases of fires in private houses have recently become more frequent. And they are connected precisely with the pollution of the chimney, as well as with its improper design.
It just seems like everything is easy. In fact, this profession has been trained for several years. Where to find such masters? This is where the internet comes to the rescue. Similar announcements are found on bulletin boards. You need to search in the services section for your region.
Another way is to contact a furnace equipment service company. Some of them provide similar services.
Prices differ depending on the specific region and the popularity of the specialist. On average, a full range of services will cost 1000 rubles per 1 m 2 of a cleaned pipe. Vacuum cleaning of furnaces will help to do without soot and dust.
Summing up
The main reason for poor draft is soot in the chimney. If an accident occurs and the chimney is clogged, then you can seek help from a professional. But it happens that in this area no one provides such services. Or they are too expensive.
Then you can clean the chimney yourself. And for this it does not need to be disassembled. It is enough to stock up on tools and master simple skills. For your own safety, you should comply with all regulatory requirements.
Cleaning the chimney of the furnace dangerous occupation. Safety must come first.
If the pipe is already clogged, then it is best to clean the chimney mechanically. He is the most reliable. And will fix the problem as quickly as possible. It also minimizes the consequences.
But as prevention it is better to use chemical cleaning. Then the emergency can be avoided. Apply chemical reagents or folk remedies - here everyone chooses for himself. The main thing is to do it regularly.
←Previous article Next article →With your own hands, it often causes difficulties. On the other hand, a poorly functioning chimney in a bathhouse or residential buildings reduces household comfort - the stove begins to smoke, the heating boiler produces less heat.
Safety requirements mean that the chimney of a heating boiler or stove in a bath must always be maintained in good condition. Otherwise, the risk of carbon monoxide returning into the room, smoke in the room or ignition of soot and foreign objects in the pipe increases.
Why you need a chimney cleaning
There are many constructive answers to the question of how to clean the chimney at home. It should be borne in mind that it is necessary to clean the pipe systematically, and not just on an emergency basis.
With a weak draft, the fuel will not burn out completely, the rotation of smoke and carbon monoxide is broken, it's time to clean the chimney. Experts advise not to wait until the chimney in the house or bath is clogged thoroughly - do preventive cleaning regularly.
Prevention will provide good, stable traction. The frequency of prevention depends on the intensity of use (how much soot is emitted and how often).Also, do not forget about the difference between gas burners of heating boilers and burning solid fuels. In the first case, the pipe clogs rather slowly. But the cause of the violation of patency may be the ingress of a foreign object or the “collapse” of the chimney (the stainless steel pipe was flattened, the clearance disappeared). If you have a low-quality heating boiler pipe installed, it makes no sense to fix the defect. Contact the supplier, insist on dismantling the low-quality part.
Combustion of gas and liquid fuels
Boilers for gas or liquid fuels do not leave thick smoke. As a result of combustion, transparent carbon monoxide is formed, which cannot be visually recognized (diesel fuel also leaves a little soot, which after some time turns into soot on the walls of the chimney).
However, difficult combustion is a clear sign of weak draft and a signal that it is time to clean the chimney. In addition, there is always the possibility of deformation of the outlet pipe, which also requires measures to restore the patency of the chimney.
Combustion of solid fuel
In wood or coal fired systems, smoke is a warning sign. If it is not brought out and accumulates in the room, again, the whole point is the narrowing of the passage of the outlet pipe due to the formation of soot inside the pipe.
So it's time to remove this soot. In solid fuel systems, it accumulates quite quickly, and especially with frequent use or a coal stove in the house (heat is consumed not only for heating the room, but also for cooking).
Take the problem seriously. Negligent attitude - the threat of ignition of large soot formations in the chimney.Causes of blockages
- Before you start looking helpful videos on the Internet, you should understand the reasons why the chimney in a bathhouse or a residential building is clogged:
- non-compliance with the rules of operation;
- ingress of small birds, insects, foreign objects (garbage blown by the wind - plastic bags, crumpled newspapers, etc.) into the pipe;
- wrong masonry technology brick oven or fireplace, installation of a heating boiler in the house, proportions and connection of structural units;
- the absence of a protective "umbrella" at the end of the chimney from the side of the street (rain and snow penetrate the chimney, turn soot masses into dense slurry and lumps).
All these circumstances lead to the fact that the combustion products of the fuel of the fireplace, stove or boiler do not have time to be brought out. They settle on the walls of the chimney channel in the form of soot - sometimes it is a “fluffy” light mass, and sometimes in the form of fairly large flakes (typical for stoves and).
Each individual case is individual. First, find out the nature of the blockage, the density of soot and the size of the layer on the walls of the chimney (or the presence of a foreign object in the pipe). The choice of tool and method of cleaning will depend on this.Methods for cleaning folk remedies
- For centuries, people have had the knowledge of cleaning home stoves and chimneys with simple, affordable means. These include:
- firewood with a high combustion temperature (birch, aspen);
- table salt or naphthalene (naphthalene is used less and less today, because it leaves an unpleasant long-lasting smell in the premises);
- potato peelings.
Birch or aspen wood
- Method features:
- these types of wood emit a lot of thermal energy;
- high temperature well cleans stainless steel or brick chimneys;
- old soot formations literally break off from the walls in patches and are carried out with force;
- the method is also recommended for the prevention of pipe blockages in a house or bath (at high temperatures, the chimney overgrows with soot extremely slowly).
Potato peels
- Procedure:
- prepare potato peelings in advance in a volume of about ½ bucket (the amount depends on the size of the firebox and the power of the chimney);
- dry them so that there is no rot;
- flood the stove in the bathhouse or in the house with high-calorie coal, putting dry potato peelings on top - the resulting hot steam contains a lot of starch, it will help soften the soot in the pipe. It will subsequently exfoliate, heavy fractions will fall down (you will remove them when you clean the firebox as planned), and light flakes will fly up under the action of traction.
table salt
- The method is good for home and bath chimneys, as well as for cleaning fireplaces:
- pour 1.5 cups of ordinary table salt onto hot fuel;
- when interacting with oxygen, the salt forms an environment in which the formation of soot and soot deposits is minimal.
Chemical methods
Opponents of chemistry should remember that it is used quite often to clean sewers in houses and apartments. Unlike sewerage, cleaning agents are supplied from below through steam (it would have to be poured into the sewer pipe from above).
Do not forget to follow the safety precautions correctly - following the indicated dosages, ventilation from fumes, protection from contact with eyes, skin and mucous membranes.PHC preparation
This potent substance is sold in hardware and building stores. Suitable for solid fuel boiler and brick wood stoves residential building. Act strictly in accordance with the attached instructions.
Copper sulfate with saltpeter
- Peculiarities:
- the substance is a mixture of copper sulphate, saltpeter and powdered coke coal;
- more than 200 g of the substance cannot be used at a time;
- the powder is scattered on top of the fuel burned to the stage of red coals;
- a chemical reaction will lead to shedding of soot growths from the walls of the chimney.
Kominchek made in the Czech Republic
- Peculiarities:
- the tool is very effective, but only if the soot layer is not thicker than 2 mm;
- one dose is 14 g, but it is enough to keep the chimney of the furnace or boiler clean and maintain high permeability for the next 3 months.
Chemical log-chimney sweep
- You don't even need to watch the instructional video to use this method. Simple steps:
- buy in the store and carefully read the recommendations;
- put in the furnace of the furnace when burning firewood;
- the released active substances exfoliate soot growths well.
In the composition of the log:
- urea;
- ammonium sulfate;
- zinc chloride;
- coal dust;
- carbon wax;
- amorphous silica;
- sawdust;
- phosphorus oxide;
- anhydrous sodium sulfate.
mechanical cleaning
For this type of cleaning work - the widest possibilities. Of the advantages, one can note the availability and absolute ecological cleanliness (without chemistry). The disadvantage is the moment of danger of working at height.
Tools
- What can be used for mechanical cleaning:
- weight on the chain. With its heavy weight, it falls into the chimney, breaking through thick creosote layers (the weight is held by a strong cable, to which it is additionally recommended to attach various scratching devices);
- hard brushes of various sizes and shapes (of course, you need to take care of the sufficient length of the handles so that they penetrate into remote places);
- ramrod, pole or long hook;
- all kinds of stainless steel ruffs on a long cable - by analogy with how they clean the sewer system mechanically.
You will also need a ladder to get to the top.
Designing a device is based on understanding the essence of the method. The tool should scrape, scratch, peel off soot growths.Protective and auxiliary means
- Do not forget about personal protective equipment when working with soot and soot. Prepare in advance:
- respirator;
- gloves;
- protective glasses;
- overalls;
- do not neglect safety ropes for work on the roof.
For details on how to work with a cable with a ruff, watch the video - everything is painted there step by step. This advice is especially for beginners.
Operating procedure
If cleaning the chimney from above:
- climb to the desired height;
- lower the cable with a ruff into the chimney shaft and reciprocate (this is well shown in the training video);
- sometimes it is useful to make rotational movements on the principle of a gimlet.
Many people in their lives had to clean the sewer pipe with a special twisted cable - now it's time to repeat the familiar steps exactly.
Unlike sewerage, there is no moisture in stove chimneys. But inevitably a large amount of mechanical dust and particles flying out of the pipe. Be sure to use a respirator and goggles.If cleaning the chimney from below:
- such a path is typical for cleaning fireplaces - the chimney opening is very close (while in heating stoves it is practically impossible to get through the firebox);
- first work with a ruff on a long handle, hooks, brushes;
- then apply the rotational technique (as if there is a sewer pipe in front of you - twist the springy cable first in one direction, then in the other direction).
If it is possible to work together:
- ideal option - cleaning with a ruff on both sides. The mechanical device is pulled through the chimney completely, from the side of the street to the very firebox;
- several intensive movements are made both vertically and with rotation.
Complex furnace structures
Often in large private houses, instead of a modern heating boiler, complex configurations are often laid out.
- Cleaning features:
- turns at an angle of 90 degrees - an insurmountable obstacle for ruffs, brushes and gaffs;
- find special cleaning holes (miniature doors) through which you can penetrate into hard-to-reach places;
- if a “walking” brick is installed instead of a door, it is best to invite a specialist who knows all the intricacies of oven masonry. It is very difficult to install a removable brick in place without special skills.
- It is recommended to clean the chimney in early autumn, in calm weather, and here's why:
- in hot summer, the stove is not heated, so it is difficult to determine the degree of patency and effectiveness of the cleaning;
- in winter, the heating system should work properly, without any technical "breaks". In addition, there is snow on the roof, slippery and dangerous.
There is nothing better than conscientious prevention. It will protect the chimney from premature wear and prolong its service life. Regularly heat the stove for 2-3 days in a row with birch or aspen firewood, peeled from the bark. Do this at least 3-5 times a quarter, monitor the quality of traction.
The safe operation of stoves and fireplaces requires effective draft, provided by periodic cleaning of pipes. Owners of heating devices know that regular preventive maintenance is necessary.
Regardless of the design features that the furnaces have, decorative fireplaces, any chimneys require cleaning. In order for the heater to function, give pleasure to the owner, his family members, you need to know how to clean the chimney from soot.
The relevance of prevention: how to determine?
The clogging of the chimney is caused by various points. Knowing them, you avoid problems, you can improve traction, ensure the safety of your home. Let's talk about the reasons for the appearance of deposits, why it is necessary to clean the home chimney from accumulated soot.
Start by identifying visual cues - look for smoke. White or light gray puffs come out of a clean pipe. The appearance of dense smoke is a signal for preventive maintenance. Control the color of the flame. The change from a light orange hue to a dark orange requires work to clean up the structure.
Remember that annual maintenance is required even under ideal operating conditions.
Causes of soot deposits
The smoke, in addition to the gaseous components of decomposition, contains mechanical particles that pollute the surface of the channel. Soot accumulates in the chimney, forming a black coating. The mass of deposits is saturated with water vapor, hardens. Gradually, the pipe becomes clogged. Soot covers the bends of the channel, narrow passages, rough surfaces of brick pipes.
The volume of deposits is determined by various factors:
- improper installation of the stove or fireplace;
- violation of the technology of laying product nodes;
- substandard Construction Materials- cracks appear on the surface;
- clogging of the smoke exhaust system with debris;
- incorrect design - the pipe is not equipped with an umbrella.
These factors can reduce traction. The accumulated mass of soot quickly reduces the cross section of the pipe, which makes it difficult for fireplaces and stoves to work.
The rate of accumulation of deposits is determined design features heating device, type of fuel, humidity. Regular cleaning Your chimney from soot deposits, condition control will help to avoid negative phenomena.
Why Clean Your Chimney
Chimney cleaning is a must. Gradually, the soot layer becomes powerful, can cause serious consequences:
- reduction in the cross section of the smoke channel, causing a decrease in traction;
- decrease in the efficiency of the heating device, caused by a decrease in the heat capacity of the pipe;
- the likelihood of ignition of deposits inside the chimney;
- wear of the outlet lines.
It is problematic for smoke to move along a clogged chimney, observing the correct direction. It gradually returns, filling the room with carbon monoxide, endangering the health of others. Remember - soot is an excellent heat insulator, accumulates in a thick layer, significantly reduces the efficiency of the furnace. The result is that more fuel is needed to maintain a comfortable room temperature.
Risk factors
The main danger is the likelihood of fire, burning of the pipe walls, sparks. They, being incandescent solid particles of soot, can create a threat of ignition of neighboring buildings, pose a serious danger.
Let us briefly characterize the expediency of cleaning. Prevention provides:
- safe operation of heating devices;
- increased traction.
Knowing how to clean the chimney from soot, you can limit the likelihood of problem situations. The operation is easy to perform on your own using folk ways.
Line of chemical compositions
Industrial enterprises produce several types of products that clean chimney systems. The products are absolutely harmless, they can be in the form of powders, liquids or briquettes. Let's dwell on the most popular cleaners:
- PCA compositions. A special anti-scale powder, similar in composition to copper sulphate, is intended for filling into the heating compartment. It is recommended to use no more than 200 g of the product per 1 ton of firewood.
- "Comedian". Cleaning agent in the form of a powder that is catalyzed by heat treatment, reducing the combustion temperature of soot.
- Briquettes "Log-chimney sweep". They are used in conjunction with liquid or solid fuels. In fireplace structures, 1 log is laid for 60 days, and in large stoves - up to 2 pieces. Using Log for the first time, inspect the chimney for debris. Burn the briquette on hot coals without removing the packaging. Active substances act for about 14 days, then the pipe is inspected and the firebox is cleaned.
- HG is a home chimney cleaner from the formed soot, capable of removing plaque with high quality. These products for stoves and fireplaces are made in the Netherlands. The manufacturer recommends using powdered components once every six months, adding 2 tbsp. l for a well-ignited solid fuel.
Using any of the above chemical products Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and read the instructions carefully. Owners of summer cottages do not always have the opportunity to use a chemical cleaning agent.
The problem is solved independently, if there is an algorithm, how easy it is to clean your own chimney from soot deposits with proven folk remedies.
Cleaning with folk methods - proven solutions
Effective cleaning of any chimney, chimney from soot can be carried out, guided by folk recipes proven for centuries. Consider the most effective options suitable for cleaning the chimney:
When solving the problem of how to clean the stove system or how to properly clean your own chimney from deposits or soot using proven folk remedies, inspect the structure and purchase building supplies.
Tools and materials
Before starting work, take care of the tools in accordance with the type of construction. You will need:
- metal brush;
- brush - square designs are more convenient to clean with a device with stiff bristles;
- clamps made of flexible material;
- scraper;
- round bucket;
- compositions prepared independently or chemical agents;
- steel ball - should cover 2/3 of the chimney.
The core is not only used to remove blockages. It allows you to weight the brush and the brush, and cleaning the clogged chimney from deposits or soot will be effective. By connecting the elements with a metal cable and carabiners, you can adjust the length of the fixture.
Manual mechanical cleaning
The mechanical method of cleaning soot, soot, also belongs to the folk. Since ancient times, cores have been used, fixed with a strong cable, breaking through dense growths, ruffs various shapes, scrapers. This option for removing deposits is a proven, effective method.
Cleaning the chimney mechanically is carried out as follows:
- Close all oven doors tightly to prevent soot from escaping. When working with fireplace systems, place a damp cloth over the combustion chamber.
- Open all dampers by increasing the cross section of the channels.
- Climb to the roof, fixing the safety belt on the body.
- Check the flue duct. Soot, which has a layer of about 2 mm, is removed chemical compounds. If there is debris, push it through.
- Clean the chimney - remove the head, and using a scraper, a stiff brush, remove the deposits.
- Keep hard-to-reach pipe sections clean with a flexible brush. It is advisable to use a cable equipped with a nozzle. Move the fixture by gently turning the handle.
- With the help of a suspended core, the chimney is cleared of serious blockages and soot. Move the steel ball by moving.
- Be careful, keep the integrity of the brick.
- Remove the soot by opening the flue doors.
- Clean the furnace and blower compartments. Open fireplaces are processed from the side of the firebox with a metal brush with a long handle.
After completing the work, melt the stove, check the effectiveness of the draft. Install the headband. Installing it is easy.
When cleaning chimneys, take the advice of professional chimney sweeps. This will help extend the life of the fireplace or stove:
- do not heat the stove or fireplace with softwood fuel. The rock contains ethereal resins that settle on the walls of the chimney;
- do not use raw firewood - due to humidity, the degree of soot and water precipitation increases;
- do not burn garbage of plastic or synthetic origin in the oven - they settle on the chimney;
- stop for wood from deciduous trees. The fuel must be thoroughly dried. After burning the fuel, burn some aspen logs - so the soot will quickly be removed from the chimney.
Choosing folk methods for removing sediment that violates the functionality of the furnace, home fireplace or chimney pipes, test the hood.
A decrease in draft causes a return of smoke and in this case it is advisable to apply a folk cleansing method using mechanical means.
Any chimney must be cleaned. Often, the design itself suggests how often such an operation should be carried out.
Even the correct operation of the vertical channel cannot guarantee the absence of soot on the pipe walls. Therefore, the question of how to clean the chimney from black plaque does not lose its relevance to this day. If you do not prevent the growth of a layer of soot in the pipe device, this is fraught with a violation of traction, which in turn can lead to a fire in the room.
Today, professional chimney cleaners are quite difficult to meet. Only they are able to carry out quality work even in hard-to-reach places. Specialists clean any bend in the pipe, and also check the condition of the entire structure. It is incredibly difficult to achieve a good result on your own and carry out a complete cleaning of the canal. But still, let's figure out how to do it right.
Domestic enterprises produce special products designed for cleaning chimneys. All of these substances do no harm. human body. They are available as:
- powder;
- liquids;
- briquette.
Let's get acquainted with the most famous and sought-after cleansers.
PCC compositions
This powder, which is poured into the furnace, has an anti-caking property. Its composition is similar blue vitriol. Approximately 200 g of such a substance is enough to clean 1 ton of firewood after burning.
"Comedian"
It has the form of a powder, the catalysis of which begins during heat treatment. At the same time, there is a decrease in temperature at which all soot burns.
"Log-chimney sweep"
It is produced in briquettes and used in conjunction with another type of fuel (solid, liquid). For cleaning small fireplaces, one part of the agglomerated material is laid for a period of 60 days. With large dimensions of the furnace, you will need to use two briquettes.
Before you start using the Log, you need to clean the chimney of debris. The product is burned on hot coals directly in the package. Its active substances will act for approximately 14 days. After that, you need to inspect the chimney, then clean the firebox.
Cleaner HG
Given Chemical substance, made in Holland, is designed to remove plaque on a domestic pipe. The manufacturer recommends using this powder once every 6 months. On hot solid fuel, it is enough to pour two tablespoons of the product.
Before using any of the above chemical products, carefully read the instructions that come with the product. It is imperative to comply with all of these requirements.
Not every summer resident is able to use such cleansing compounds. This problem can be solved in another way by turning to folk remedies. 
Proven folk methods
To the most effective methods include the following:
- Rock salt. It perfectly cleans the channel, removes accumulated soot from the walls. The substance in the amount of 100-200 g is placed in a thin layer in the furnace. This technique corresponds to preventive work to remove soot in the chimney.
- Potato peel. This product gives very good results. A bucket of cleanings must be placed in small parts in a burning firebox. They begin to burn together with the starch that is part of the potato. Hot air enters the channel and loosens the soot. This technology is considered preventive. Subsequent cleaning of the chimney is carried out manually.
- Brush load, attached to a strong cord. This element descends into the pipe, cleaning the inner surface and removing existing layers.
- Logs from birch or aspen. It is enough to heat the pipe with such pieces of wood to high temperature. As a result, soot will burn out. Such a technique must be used with caution. With large deposits and low strength of the chimney, dangerous situations may occur, since aspen logs have a high heat transfer.
- Naphthalene. This chemical preparation cleans up nicely inner surface chimney. For its application, it is necessary to first check the pipe for cracks. If there are any, they must be closed. A naphthalene tablet is thrown into the furnace. The heated soot begins to fly out of the chimney in the form of white flakes. It is important to remember that it is not safe to use naphthalene, since this tool can destroy pipes and ignite soot deposits. One of the disadvantages of this technology is an unpleasant pungent odor. High cleaning efficiency is achieved with a plaque thickness of not more than 10 mm.
- Walnut shell. This is an excellent tool with high heat dissipation. No more than 2 liters of hard nut shell should be thrown into the firebox. During combustion, the temperature rises to critical values, which can lead to pipe deformation and cracking. Therefore, such a limitation has been established. Due to the strong burnout, soot is completely removed from the pipe.
- Aluminum. Parts made of this material burn well in a large fire and prevent the formation of soot. In order for aluminum not to change its color and burn, the fire must be on coals. For example, it takes only five minutes to burn a can made of this non-ferrous metal.
What tools are needed
To carry out cleaning work, it is important to prepare all the necessary tools, including the following:
The steel core is applied in various purposes. Its main function is to remove blockages. But if you attach a brush to it, this element will become much heavier, respectively, the efficiency of cleaning the walls of the chimney will increase several times. If you connect all the parts with a metal cable and use carabiners, you can adjust the length of the cleaning device.
mechanical cleaning
This technique is also considered popular. Large steel balls have been used for many years to remove soot from pipes. Various objects were attached to them, easily coping with dense growths:
- ruffs;
- scrapers.
This technology for removing all kinds of deposits has long proven its effectiveness.
Mechanical cleaning sequence
- The oven doors must be tightly closed to prevent soot from escaping.
- If plaque is being removed from the fireplace, a damp cloth must be placed on the combustion chamber.
- To make the cross section of the channels larger, you need to open all available dampers.
- It is required to put on and secure a safety belt on the body.
- The chimney is inspected on the roof. If the thickness of the soot layer is less than 2 mm, it is removed with the help of chemicals. The trash just pushes down.
- Header is removed. With a stiff brush or scraper, all layers are removed.
- Hard-to-reach places are cleaned using a flexible brush. You can also use a cable that has a special nozzle at the end. With each turn of the handle, the fixture moves down.
- By moving the suspended metal ball, soot layers and other large blockages can be removed. Work must be carried out carefully so as not to violate the integrity of the brickwork.
- After opening the chimney door, the soot layer is completely removed.
- The blower and the furnace compartment are cleaned.
If plaque is removed in an open fireplace, the treatment is carried out with a metal brush from the side where the firebox is located.
Upon completion of the procedure, it is necessary to melt the furnace to check the draft. Then the head is installed in place.
How to blow out a chimney with air
Another option for cleaning the vertical channel from accumulated soot is blowing with a powerful air stream. To do this, it is necessary to create a turbulent flow in the device, which, under high pressure, will blow out all the dirt from it. Such work is carried out only by a very powerful fan.
As an air blower, you can use a conventional chainsaw. The flow of the mixture of gases must be pulled out by the device.
This technique does not remove all deposits. Strong plaque is cleaned only mechanically.
Professional cleaning
It would seem that with the onset of the 21st century, the profession of a chimney sweep has disappeared forever. However, she remained and is very much appreciated. An interesting fact is that only the master has the right to put on the pipe cleaner's cylinder. To become such, it will take many years of work as an apprentice with a professional.
For a long period, the removal of soot in the chimney was carried out by the All-Russian Voluntary Fire Society. Times have changed, and today such services are provided by private companies. In order for the installed chimney to function properly, a number of procedures must be followed, including the following:
- periodic audit;
- cleaning;
- prevention.
Such work is considered professional and is performed using special equipment. For example, a vacuum cleaner is connected, sucking soot through the firebox directly from the chimney.
Professional cleaning is necessary in advanced cases, which include:
- a thick layer of hard soot covering the surface of the chimney;
- serious damage to the canal walls;
- inability to remove the formed plaque.
Potato peels can be regularly burned in the oven, which does not need to be dried first. This is an excellent prevention of soot formation in the vertical channel.
The same goes for nutshells. It has a high heat transfer coefficient. Just a few handfuls successfully replace half a bucket of coal.
When the design of the furnace provides for many turns of smoke movement, there are several bottlenecks, it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely clean the soot in one go. In this case, you will have to resort to folk remedies. With the onset of autumn, using a brush, you will need to rub the surface of the pipe several times and collect crumbling dirt.
The same deposits appear when plastic or synthetic items are burned in an oven. Soot covers the surface of the chimney with a thick layer, and it will be quite difficult to cope with it in the future.
Is it possible to do without cleaning the channel
Any high-quality fuel during combustion necessarily forms ash, and the combustion process itself is always accompanied by the release of soot. Exhaust gases lift it up, while part of this plaque settles on the inner walls of the chimney. Gradually, the layer of soot becomes thicker. As a result, one of the following situations may occur:
- channel narrowing;
- reduction of traction;
- destruction of the walls of the system;
- low boiler efficiency;
- ignition of soot accumulated in a vertical channel.
When the draft decreases in the furnace, it begins to smoke heavily. The structure will be difficult to melt even with well-dried firewood.
When a large accumulation of soot occurs in the pipe, this negatively affects the combustion process itself. This situation can lead to a fire. 
How can the quality of the procedure be controlled?
Cleaning flue ducts by chemical means many people are skeptical. They believe that such soot removal cannot be compared with the work of a professional chimney sweep.
Upon completion of the procedure, all masters check the quality of the manipulations performed. They analyze the general condition of the cleaned tubular device. For this purpose, various tools are used, for example, quite often a mirror comes to the rescue.
Large companies providing services in this area, as well as various service centers, use video cameras equipped with a special backlight function to control the quality of work. This device helps accurate estimate the quality of the work done and see in which places it was not possible to remove soot.
Conclusion
The bakery needs a lot of attention. To make cleaning the chimney less difficult, it is first of all forbidden to use tar wood for the firebox. Then it will be much easier to remove soot by any of the above methods. It is important to remember that once a year it is necessary not only to clean the furnace, but also to inspect it and, if necessary, repair it.
Unfortunately, quite often they think about cleaning the chimney when the draft already disappears and the reverse appears - the smoke simply goes into the room. But this is already an extreme degree of clogging of the chimney. But even at the beginning of the problem, you are already breathing not only smoke that seems safe (we all go to barbecues), but also dangerous carbon monoxide. And the soot that accumulates on the walls of the chimney can even catch fire and lead to a fire!
That is why the profession of a chimney sweep has long existed and revered. And today's owners of private houses and baths are not at all afraid of cleaning the chimney - today a wide variety of special brushes are sold for this purpose, with a long handle or telescopic, round in the form of a brush with a load on a cable or more intricate ones. And believe me, there is nothing tricky in this matter!
When is it time to clean?
It will not be possible to completely do without cleaning the chimney, no matter what material and what design it is. After all, over time, due to soot, the passage into chimneys narrows and the so-called reverse draft effect occurs, when the smoke no longer enters the street, but into the room. If you wait a little more time, then any furnace will simply become unusable. Not to mention that reverse draft is dangerous even for people living inside the house!
When approaching the issue of cleaning the chimney, the following factors must be considered:
- Downtime, namely how long there was no cleaning.
- What is the design of the chimney, how smooth are its walls and what are the lines of its operation.
- What kind of fuel was used, was it thrown into the furnace plastic bottles or similar garbage.
- Was raw wood used?
- Were there pine or spruce among the firewood, because from them resinous substances settle on the wall of the chimney.
To notice that your chimney needs cleaning, you can independently by the following signs:
- Smoke color change. It is ideal if almost transparent, barely noticeable white smoke comes out into the street and it is bad if it becomes dark - this indicates the presence of a large amount of soot.
- Flame color change. The color of the fire in the furnace also signals problems: if it is light orange and the firewood crackles, then everything is in order. And if the flame turns dark orange, almost orange, this is a sign that the chimney needs to be cleaned.
- And, finally, the simplest and most logical way remains - a preventive inspection of the chimney. It’s good if a professional master can do this, but even you can notice problems. For example, professional chimney sweeps lower a special load into the chimney along the diameter of the pipe, and if it passes easily, everything is in order, if it rests, then it will have to be cleaned.
Moreover, the situation with soot can reach such a critical point when pollution completely blocks the chimney and ice plugs appear. And even worse - coking, when soot accumulates on the chippers and burns out there to large solid fractions, similar to coal. Such fractions clog the chimney and block the draft. And in order to remove all this, just a brush with a load will not be enough, you will have to use a special jack to raise the chimney and clean the stove. That is why it is so important to make all sections of the chimney straight. And on rare bends, install tees with a cleaning system.
In total, three types of methods for cleaning the chimney are practiced today: mechanical, using special devices, which need to penetrate the pipe, biological, when natural ingredients are used and chemical, when cleaning is done using industrial special preparations. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
Mechanical cleaning of the chimney: only in the warm season
As a rule, ordinary owners of stoves and fireplaces clean their chimney once, before each heating season, and it's good if this is enough. AND mechanical way- the oldest and even today it makes sense:
You can manually clean the chimney both from the inside of the house, from below, and from above, directly from the roof. And for each of the methods there is a tool.
If you have chosen the brush that is used from above, you need to tie a rope to it and hook a load on it, and only then run it through the chimney through the roof. This will pass along the entire chimney and will hook soot from the walls with it. It is only important to lower the brush carefully and gradually, slowly, so that the soot is collected qualitatively and at the same time the load does not damage the chimney itself. In the same way, lower and raise the ruff several times until it becomes noticeable that the soot has been cleaned and the blockage has been broken.
Usually such a brush is enough for up to three heating seasons. But this method has its drawbacks:
- Firstly, you will need a lot of time for all this, at least an hour;
- Secondly, if you need to clean the chimney, you will not always be able to get out onto the roof, especially when it snows and the wind is strong;
- And, finally, with such a device it is quite difficult to clean the chimney elbows and hard-to-reach places, or the chimney itself is designed in such a way that it is generally impossible to clean it from the outside, through the roof.
And the method of cleaning the chimney from below, from the room, is much safer for a person. You can easily do all necessary work and not risk your life. Simply take a brush, place it on a flexible holder and push it through a heater or a special revision hole.
In addition, from below, with the help of long flexible holders, soot is easy to clean even in high bends:
So, for example, a brush with a telescopic holder is good because it is convenient to use it on the roof: you just need to insert one part into another, gradually lowering the brush down, and disassemble it in reverse order when lifting up:
Here is a step-by-step illustration of what is needed to mechanically clean the chimney with a brush and weight:
Cleaning by folk methods: both in snow and in rain
Today, many are wondering: how to clean the chimney from soot with folk remedies in the middle of winter, without the need for mechanical cleaning, safely and reliably?
The most famous biological methods (they are usually called folk methods) are cleaning with potato peels. This method avoids the rough mechanical removal of soot from the walls of the chimney and is ideal for those areas where the heating season is long enough, because then you do not have to stop the furnace from burning for a long time.
The second way is dry aspen wood, which burns so fast and hot that it burns all the soot in the chimney. But you need to use this method carefully so as not to actually lead to a fire.
The third relatively cheap and reliable method to extend the life of the chimney during the heating season is to sprinkle wood with salt. With each kindling, the salt binds soot and does not allow it to settle on the walls of the chimney.
You will be surprised, but even the usual, long-known in Rus', cleaning the chimney with potato peels is actually quite an effective method:
We will only give a little advice: if you want to clean the chimney with raw potato skins, you need to peel it at least half a bucket. When the peel is burned, starch will remain from it, which will corrode the soot, and it will simply crumble down. After that, all the ashes will simply need to be removed from the furnace.
Dry Cleaning: Caution Needed!
But it happens that soot is difficult to clean, especially if old wood was used, and then you have to resort to a chemical method. The advantage of this method is that it will not take your time or your energy.
A variety of special products for cleaning chimneys today pleases the eye: liquids, briquettes, special powders. Their secret is that such substances are ignited in a heating device and they emit active gases, which soot is afraid of. Under their influence, it becomes fragile and begins to fall off. Moreover, some of the small particles simply fly out with the smoke, while the rest falls down and is already removed along with the ash.
Powders are simply thrown into the furnace without unpacking, directly with firewood, and there should be a lot of firewood itself. You only need to drop one sachet every two to three weeks. The only limitation of this method is that it makes sense to use powder products only if the soot on the walls of the chimney is not more than 2 millimeters. But, if you use such a powder all the time, cleaning the chimneys will not be needed at all:
But if you have a deeper problem, then you will have to use a log - this is a chemical substance in the form of a briquette, which is enough to put in the furnace once every two months, also in a package. It is used when the firewood has already burned out in order to set it on fire separately. As part of such a log, wooden files, urea, sodium sulfate, coal wax, ammonium sulfate and amorphous silicon.
Such a composition of active substances is able to remove all the accumulated soot in the chimney in just one time. After you burn the chemical log inside the firebox, for another two weeks you will have soot falling from the walls of the chimney, and it will just need to be removed.
Very convenient: just put a log on the fire, and chemical gases corrode soot not only on the surface of the walls of the chimney, but also inside the heater itself, even on the heat exchanger and the internal chimney. And in its own way, it even prevents the appearance of new soot. It is this method that allows you to remove soot in the most hard-to-reach places bends and knees. And, most importantly, such cleaning can be done at any time of the year - even with an active winter firebox. The only point: if the chimney has not been cleaned for a long time, a congestion is clearly felt and there is almost no draft, then at first you will still have to use a brush.
Here is a clear example of how to clean a chimney with modern chemicals:
Professional chimney cleaning: fast, reliable and expensive
Strange as it may sound, all over the world the profession of a chimney sweep exists and is still appreciated. You will be interested to know that the traditional chimney sweep cylinder has always been the privilege of only the master. And to become one, it was necessary to serve as an apprentice for more than one year - this specialty is so complicated.
In recent years, the profession of a chimney sweep has been on the verge of extinction, and only relatively recently has it become sharply in demand. It's all about fires due to poor-quality installation of chimneys and their operation. Modern house is so expensive today that it is wiser to hire a specialist than to rely on "maybe". Indeed, it is much more logical to call a professional chimney sweep before the start of the heating season, and not a fire truck in the middle of winter.
For a long time, the All-Russian Voluntary Fire Society was engaged in cleaning the chimney, but today more private companies already offer such services. After all, the correct operation of modern chimneys requires periodic revision, cleaning and prevention. So there was such a thing as professional chimney cleaning, when special equipment is brought for such a purpose. For example, a special vacuum cleaner that simply sucks soot out of the chimney through the firebox. And then you don’t need to drag it through the whole room (and the soot is volatile and poorly washed off the furniture).
Therefore, to this day, professional cleaning is simply indispensable in the most neglected cases, when:
- the chimney is covered with a dense layer of hard soot (especially from wet firewood);
- the walls of the chimney are old and damaged, and soot tightly clings to them;
- you have no desire to do such menial work.
In practice, it looks like this:
For example, in the professional cleaning of chimneys of private houses, such special devices are used:
Modern high-speed installations cope with their task quickly enough, which completely clean the chimney in just an hour:
How to make self-cleaning tools
Special devices for cleaning the chimney from soot are sold in a regular building supermarket or specialty store, or you can make it yourself.
Let's compare a metal brush with a plastic one. Let's start with the fact that a metal brush, of course, will retain its working shape longer, but with particularly intensive cleaning it can scratch the chimney from the inside. Modern plastic brushes soft, scratch the chimney much less, though they do not last long and at the same time easily break, losing their working shape. That is why there is an unspoken rule among summer residents: take a metal brush for a brick chimney, and plastic for a metal one. Basically, these are the following devices:
Plastic brush: short-lived, but gentle on the chimney
Making a plastic brush is as easy as shelling pears:
If you are going to build such a brush for cleaning the chimney, then all the work will take you no more than 15 minutes.
So, the usual chimney brush is a strong base with a brush, threaded through a metal wire with a load on the chain. To all this, you will need a rope along which the brush will need to be lowered into the chimney. Instead of a load and a rope, it is also quite enough to use a special holder. At least then the brush will not get stuck in the chimney and will not have to be pulled out later.
Plastic bottle brush: at no cost
Moreover, you can even make a homemade ruff from an ordinary plastic bottle (at least a few). Just 2-3 of these brushes is enough for one season. So, here's how to make such a bottle brush:
- Step 1. Make round holes in the center of the lid.
- Step 2. Cut the walls of the bottles into strips along, about 1.5 or 2 centimeters wide.
- Step 3. Make a hole in the bottom of the bottle with a heated nail and thread a 5 mm thick wire through it.
- Step 4. Now just insert one bottle into another through the cut strips and attach a thick wire to one end.
- Step 5. Put two plastic bottles on, press and fix them so that it is convenient to tie them with plastic wire.
- Step 6. Spread the cut strips of plastic evenly in a circle and secure the steel cable as it is.
The only difficulty in such manufacture is to make sure that the load and the rope (cable) are exactly in the center, and the ruff does not warp during use.
Hard round brush: the use of improvised materials
Another great option is to make such a brush from a disc brush for a grinder. Such a brush is much stronger than the previous options and will cope even with the soot itself. It is only important that the diameter of the brush is equal to the diameter of the chimney, because its bristles are hard and bend poorly:
To such a brush, you need to hang a load with a weight of about 5 kg on a steel cable, behind which you will pull the brush along the chimney. Just in case, attach another cable to the load, which will help another person from inside the room to stretch the stuck brush. It is important that the load at the same time be at least a third less than the chimney, otherwise it will catch on and if you have to tinker.
Clean the chimney like homemade devices need like this:
- Step 1. Climb onto the roof, remove the damper from the chimney and lower such a brush into the chimney to the very end.
- Step 2. Start pulling the brush back now.
- Step 3. Lower the brush down again and pull it out again.
- Step 4. All this must be done within a few minutes, keep in mind that below, inside the room, soot will pour abundantly and it must also be removed.
As you can see, everything is simple!
Asymmetric wire brush: for difficult sections of the chimney
If your chimney does not have a large length, knees, bends and is not very clogged (for example, we are talking about a chimney in a seasonal bath), then such simple devices are also suitable for its one-time cleaning:
Telescopic brush: for work from the room
Usually, as a gesture, flexible meter sticks go well, which are twisted into each other and are also called telescopic, in other words, prefabricated. Working with it is quite simple:
- Step 1. Screw the brush onto the first handle, stick it straight through the heater, push it through and clean one meter in this way.
- Step 2. The next step to the end of the handle that you are still holding and which is sticking out of the chimney, screw the second one and push the brush another meter up the chimney.
- Step 4. Repeat this whole process until you have completely cleared the entire chimney.
See how easy it is in practice:
The telescopic brush is able to penetrate the chimney very deeply:
Such a brush is significantly more expensive than the previous option, but the advantage is that such sticks usually do not break and serve for a long time. In addition, with the help of such a rigid handle it is easier to push the blockage in the chimney. In addition, this method is quite difficult to clean the soot in the knees of the chimney bends.
As for the choice of the size of the brush, everything is simple here: you need to select one according to the diameter of the chimney, preferably equal to it or 12 cm larger, so that the brush can easily catch on, and not slide along the walls, slightly not reaching them:
Let's summarize: no matter what device you use to clean your chimney yourself, the main thing is to do this cleaning regularly.
