Cleaning From Below

[velvetfoot]

While awaiting the arrival of the chimney cleaning rods and brush I am thinking about how to do the job as cleanly as possible from below.

Things I am thinking to do:

-Wrap rags around rod and close off bottom of stack as I am cleaning - removing carefully after dust settles and with a vacuum.
-Do it in cool weather, open window, etc to take advantage of stack effect.
-Tarps on floor, on furniture, etc.
-Cover opening with plastic as much as possible and still have access for arms and rods
-Have vacuum, located outside, running with suction in the stove area

Perhaps a loose piece of plastic taped over the stove opening, going into the stove, place over it after the brush and rags are in place, so that the only penetration to the clean area would be through a small hole, kind of like the way surgeons work, although I have a feeling my final result will be less than surgeon-like.

 

[Greg123]

Here is what I do.

The mess can be easily minimized by getting a small plastic bag and poking a small hole just big enough to fit the flex rod into then attach the brush on the opposite side. Then I attach the plastic bag to the Class A with some painters tape then sweep away, all the mess falls into the plastic bag. I have never found the need to cover everything in my living room, doing it this way there is really not much mess to worry about.

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks Greg. I don't know if I'll be able to do this since I have an insert.

 

[Greg123]

Thanks Greg. I don't know if I'll be able to do this since I have an insert.

An insert, would make it harder to do. I think in your case the steps you pointed out might be your best option.

 

[martel]

do you have to pull the insert to do the sweep from below or can you do it simply by taking out the baffle?

 

[velvetfoot]

I can take out the baffle and pipes.