Chimney cleaning is a dependable business with repeat customers. All chimneys should be cleaned annually, to prevent fire, because creosote deposits inside them are combustible. That’s true for woodstoves as well as a chimney for a central heating system. In addition, once you have the equipment, you can branch out from chimney cleaning. You can clean dryer vents, for example.
The chimney cleaning business is not regulated, but you’ll begin to build a good reputation by earning NFI (National Fireplace Institute) certifications from the Chimney Sweep Institute of America. Those certifications will get you licensed.
You’ll also need to be bonded and insured to run a chimney sweep business. Being bonded means that a surety bond has been purchased to protect the customer against financial loss. You need to be bonded and insured because you’ll be working inside and outside customers’ homes.
Why Is Quality Chimney Sweep Equipment Important?
Remember the old adage, You get what you pay for. It’s very true with chimney sweep equipment. If you scrimp on chimney sweep tools you’ll only end up repurchasing items.
Cleaning a chimney puts a lot of strain on your equipment. To effectively tackle the job repeatedly, it’s essential to have cleaning equipment that can withstand such rigorous use.
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Professional Chimney Cleaning Tools List
One of the most important pieces of chimney cleaning equipment you’ll buy is a chimney vacuum system. When you clean chimneys, the creosote buildup in a chimney can trickle down the smoke chamber and create a real mess inside the house. That doesn’t help in the customer satisfaction category!
The mess is not the worst part. Soot accumulation contains tiny particles that can be harmful to your health when inhaled. Let’s begin with a list of chimney cleaning tools to assist you in completing the task.
Chimney Brushes
Chimney brushes come in two main types. You’ll need a wire chimney brush and a polypropylene brush. Brushes are used with rods.
Why the difference? For metal chimneys, you can’t use a wire brush, which would scratch and damage the inside of the chimney. Same with clay flues. For masonry chimneys, you’d use a wire brush.
A chimney brush is available in various shapes and diameters. For instance, to clean a chimney connected to a pellet stove, you would need a 3-inch diameter chimney brush. Both polypropylene and wire chimney brushes come in sizes ranging from 3 inches to 12 inches in diameter.
Wire brushes and polypropylene brushes can be round or rectangular. For example, the standard size for a fireplace flue has an inside diameter of 13 x 18 inches. For those chimneys, you’d need a rectangular brush.
Chimney Brush Rods
Round or rectangular brushes don’t work without chimney cleaning rods. Nylon is the material used for a flexible chimney cleaning rod and should be part of your chimney cleaning kit.
Brush systems can incorporate steel stem rods as well. Both the steel and nylon rods are available in sections that easily snap together as required, allowing the brush to move upward through the flue and effectively clean the creosote.
Brush rods can be inserted manually, or you can opt for a power sweeping system driven by a rotary drill. Both polypropylene and wire chimney brushes can be attached to rods and utilized with this type of system.
By the way, the 3-inch polypropylene chimney brushes can be used to clean dryer vents – a great way to “upsell” your service.
Chimney Vacuum Systems
As previously mentioned, this is the most important piece of equipment you’ll buy. You need to vacuum all the creosote and soot. Without one, you can’t properly clean the fireplaces and please the homeowners. An efficient chimney vacuum system is an important part of your kit.
The best chimney vacuum system for the job uses a HEPA cartridge and can be adjusted to provide a tight fit, from small openings to large openings.
Chimney Sweep Camera Kits and Inspection Gear
This is another piece of equipment that can help boost sales by addressing other areas of the home. Chimney sweep camera kits deliver high-quality images from inside the chimney before you begin the job, allowing you to identify any defects and accurately locate built-up creosote, cracks, or other issues, such as bird nests that may be blocking airflow.
You can increase sales by using the same equipment to perform HVAC duct inspections, which are often required for home sales/purchases. The camera kit can also be used after the job is complete, showing homeowners the results of your work.
Protective Equipment
You and your workers must wear a full-face respirator. You’ll also need work safety gloves. Many chimney sweep business owners use gloves that go to the elbow. You can also consider wearing a safety harness while up on the roof – the harness can be tethered to the chimney.
Other Chimney Cleaning Tools
Here’s a list of other items you’ll need as part of chimney cleaning solutions:
- Ceramic glass cleaner
- Masonry sealant
- Canvas drop cloth – you need more than one canvas drop cloth since you can’t take a filthy one to use on your next job.
- Slip on protective boot covers – So you don’t track dirt and debris into the home.
- Ladders – extension ladders are an excellent choice.
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Should You Clean Your Own Fireplace Chimney?
That really depends on a few factors. Is your chimney located outside the house, no taller than a single story, and straight, like a metal chimney? Does it have a clean-out? If so, you can likely manage it yourself and buy some basic supplies, such as polypropylene brushes and rod systems for tools. While you will incur that initial cost, your investment will pay off by the following year, making it essentially free.
However, if you need to access your roof for chimney cleaning, take a moment to reconsider the task. Since the average cost of chimney flue cleaning is under $500, wouldn’t it be wiser to leave elevated work to a professional chimney sweep?
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Which is the Best Chimney Vacuum System?
Remember that you require a system equipped with a HEPA industrial-grade filter and an adjustable fit end. Here are some reliable brands:
READ MORE: Soot Master, BacoEng, Elswood, Sturdy Vac and Tacklife.
Which Brushes Are Used for Cleaning Chimneys?
Both steel and polypropylene brushes are used in various diameters, round or rectangular.
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What Is the Most Important Chimney Cleaning Tool?
The chimney vacuum system is the most important tool. You can expect to spend about $4,000 on a quality system.
Stick to buying quality gear, and that gear will carry your business for many years without the need for replacement purchases.
Image: Depositphotos
