Now that the holiday season is approaching, cleaning our house has become more necessary. Not only do we want our place to appear great when relatives and friends pay us some visit. We want it to be at its best when we welcome this wonderful Christmas Eve and New Year.
One area that deserves careful attention is your fireplace. Aside from its constant use this winter, they are also prone to dust and creosote accumulation that can even cause fire in the long run. We want to avoid this incidents as much as possible. If you have not been cleaning the area for over a year, expect the need for a more detailed cleaning. To make sure all corners are covered, you will need the help similar services like the one offered by chimney cleaning Virginia Beach.
For those who use their fireplace often, the recommended frequency of cleaning is twice every year. For occasional users, once a year will be fine. If you think you can handle the dust on the area, then doing it yourself is a good option. There are simple steps you can do on your end to reduce the build up of dirt. Here is what you can do.
One, check your fireplace. This will tell you what part needs dusting off and what part has dark spots and the like that needs professional help. This will also make sure that no animals are nesting on it. The presence of birds and squirrels living in this area of the house is nothing new. Fireplaces offer them warmth during the winter so it is a favorite hideout. Ensure that you drive them away before you start.
Second, get the height, size and shape of the chimney. This is necessary to find the appropriate tools you will need later. When doing the estimate, provide extra inches so that you will not fall short on the length of the materials during the process.
Buy the necessary cleaning supplies. If you do not have them yet, your best options is to go the nearest hardware and secure a chimney brush with its extension pipes, small stiff wire brush, drop cloth, ladder long enough to reach your roof, dustpan and broom and mask and goggles. If you can find these materials at home, or can borrow some of them from your neighbors, the better.
Dress right and prepare your place. You will be working with dust and soot so make sure you are well protected. Use the mask and goggles to prevent you from inhaling dust and harming your eyes. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. To protect your hands, wear gloves. Also, roll back expensive rugs.
Fifth, remove the damper from the chimney and begin the process. You will need the ladder to climb on top and the brush attached to the rope to clean the fireplace interior. Place the damper aside to ensure that it is not distracting when you start.
Doing it yourself may not be able to remove those dirt that has hardened but it will at least get those dust off. For a thorough sweep, hiring a professional is the best choice. Not only are they trained to do the cleaning. They also have the necessary materials to remove those hazardous materials inside your chimney.
One area that deserves careful attention is your fireplace. Aside from its constant use this winter, they are also prone to dust and creosote accumulation that can even cause fire in the long run. We want to avoid this incidents as much as possible. If you have not been cleaning the area for over a year, expect the need for a more detailed cleaning. To make sure all corners are covered, you will need the help similar services like the one offered by chimney cleaning Virginia Beach.
For those who use their fireplace often, the recommended frequency of cleaning is twice every year. For occasional users, once a year will be fine. If you think you can handle the dust on the area, then doing it yourself is a good option. There are simple steps you can do on your end to reduce the build up of dirt. Here is what you can do.
One, check your fireplace. This will tell you what part needs dusting off and what part has dark spots and the like that needs professional help. This will also make sure that no animals are nesting on it. The presence of birds and squirrels living in this area of the house is nothing new. Fireplaces offer them warmth during the winter so it is a favorite hideout. Ensure that you drive them away before you start.
Second, get the height, size and shape of the chimney. This is necessary to find the appropriate tools you will need later. When doing the estimate, provide extra inches so that you will not fall short on the length of the materials during the process.
Buy the necessary cleaning supplies. If you do not have them yet, your best options is to go the nearest hardware and secure a chimney brush with its extension pipes, small stiff wire brush, drop cloth, ladder long enough to reach your roof, dustpan and broom and mask and goggles. If you can find these materials at home, or can borrow some of them from your neighbors, the better.
Dress right and prepare your place. You will be working with dust and soot so make sure you are well protected. Use the mask and goggles to prevent you from inhaling dust and harming your eyes. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. To protect your hands, wear gloves. Also, roll back expensive rugs.
Fifth, remove the damper from the chimney and begin the process. You will need the ladder to climb on top and the brush attached to the rope to clean the fireplace interior. Place the damper aside to ensure that it is not distracting when you start.
Doing it yourself may not be able to remove those dirt that has hardened but it will at least get those dust off. For a thorough sweep, hiring a professional is the best choice. Not only are they trained to do the cleaning. They also have the necessary materials to remove those hazardous materials inside your chimney.
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