- There are three principal kinds of chimney brushes: wire, nylon, and poly
- Wire brushes are the most typical type of brush and can be used on most types of chimneys
- Nylon brushes are the best when used on brick or stone chimneys, as they will not scratch the surface.
- Poly brushes are best for use on metal chimneys
- Choosing the best chimney brush for your home will depend on the type of chimney you have
- And you’ll have to measure the interior of your chimney to figure out the best one
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your chimney until there’s a problem. And when that problem comes in the form of a dirty or blocked chimney, it’s often difficult to know where to start.
One of the best ways to keep your chimney clean and functioning properly is to use a chimney brush. But with so many different options on the market, how do you choose the best one for your needs?
In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of chimney brushes available and help you choose the right one for your home!
Contents
- Our Favorite Wire Chimney Brush: The Midwest Hearth Rectangle Wire Chimney Cleaning Brush
- Our Favorite Nylon Chimney Brush: The Suninlife Chimney Sweep Kit
- Our Favorite Poly Chimney Brush: The Viper Poly Brush
- What is a chimney brush and what does it do?
- The different types of chimney brushes available
- How to choose the best chimney brush for your needs
- How to use a chimney brush to clean your chimney
- Hire a Pro or DIY?
- Tips for keeping your chimney clean and functioning properly
Our Favorite Wire Chimney Brush: The Midwest Hearth Rectangle Wire Chimney Cleaning Brush
- TEMPERED STEEL BRUSH - Stiff steel bristles clean coal and soot from masonry flues, and chimneys
Midwest Hearth’s Rectangle Wire Chimney Cleaning Brush is the perfect way to keep your chimney clean and free of debris. This brush is designed for use with a masonry chimney flue, and has stiff tempered steel bristles and a heavy-duty galvanized steel stem. You need to measure the inner diameter of your flue in order to select the right size.
When I bought it, I had never cleaned a chimney before, but this product was easy to use. The wire, a 8×12 head, fit through the chimney and removed all the built-up creosote. It was easy to use either from the rooftop or from inside my home.
I recommend using a safety harness if you are going on the roof. I am also going to save a good deal of money that I usually spend on chimney sweeps each year, and I know that the job will be done correctly.
Our Favorite Nylon Chimney Brush: The Suninlife Chimney Sweep Kit
- 【High-quality Nylon Rods】The chimney sweep kit is made of durable nylon material, which is flexible and chemically resistant. Each rod is 3.3ft in length, easy to disassemble and assemble, and will not damage the flue during use.
It’s a wonderful product that is simple to operate and store. Buyers say that their chimneys were cleaned with no trouble. The work was straightforward. It was easy to clean and store the parts until the next year after they were completed. It’s well worth the money.
Our Favorite Poly Chimney Brush: The Viper Poly Brush
These are compatible with the Viper cleaning system- you’re only getting the brush head here.
Buyers say it works great on stainless steel liners.
What is a chimney brush and what does it do?
Chimney brushes are designed to clean the inside of your chimney.
They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the type of chimney you have. The bristles on the brush will remove soot and debris from the walls of your chimney, helping to prevent build-up that can lead to a blocked or clogged chimney.
The different types of chimney brushes available
There are three main types of chimney brushes: wire, nylon, and poly.
Wire brushes are the most common type of brush and can be used on most types of chimneys.
Nylon brushes are best for use on brick or stone chimneys, as they will not scratch the surface. Poly brushes are best for use on metal chimneys.
Choosing the best chimney brush for your home will depend on the type of chimney you have.
How to choose the best chimney brush for your needs
Now that you know the different types of chimney brushes available, how do you choose the best one for your home?
There are a few things to consider when making your decision:
- The type of chimney you have: as we mentioned before, wire brushes can be used on most types of chimneys, while nylon or poly brushes may be better for brick or metal chimneys
- The size of your chimney: you will need to measure the inner diameter of your chimney in order to select the right size brush
Once you’ve considered these factors, you should be able to narrow down your options and choose the best chimney brush for your needs!
How to use a chimney brush to clean your chimney
Now that you’ve chosen the best chimney brush for your home, it’s time to learn how to use it!
Cleaning your chimney with a brush is relatively simple, but there are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare:
-Remove any debris or obstructions from the top of your chimney: this can be done with a broom or by hand. Just be careful if you’re going on the roof!
–Measure the inner diameter of your chimney: as we mentioned before, you’ll need to do this in order to select the right size brush.
-Cover any furniture or floors nearby to protect them from debris: a drop cloth or tarp will do the trick- maybe get yourself a handy little ash bucket.
-Put on fireplace gloves and a dust mask to protect yourself from soot: you don’t want to get your hands or lungs full of soot!
Once you’ve done these things, you’re ready to start cleaning- placing a hearth rug in front of your fireplace will help keep things clean inside your home, or just some tarps
To clean your chimney with a brush:
- Insert the brush into the top of your chimney: be careful not to scratch the surface if you’re using a nylon brush.
- Gently push and twist the brush until it’s snug against the sides of your chimney: you don’t want it to be too tight, or you could damage the brush.
- Slowly move the brush up and down, twisting it slightly as you go : this will help to loosen and remove any debris from the sides of your chimney.
- When you reach the bottom of your chimney, remove the brush and empty it into your ash bucket: be sure to dispose of the debris properly.
- Continue until the entire chimney has been cleaned
- Remove the brush from the chimney and dispose of any debris properly (you can also clean your fireplace door while you’re at it)
And that’s it! Cleaning your chimney with a brush is a simple process that can help to keep your chimney free of smelly creosote and potentially dangerous obstructions.
Hire a Pro or DIY?
Cleaning your chimney is a relatively simple process, but it can be dangerous if you’re not careful. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, we recommend hiring a professional to do the job for you.
A professional chimney sweep will have the knowledge and experience to safely and effectively clean your chimney. They will also be able to spot any potential problems with your chimney and make recommendations for repairs or maintenance.
If you do decide to clean your chimney yourself, be sure to follow all of the safety precautions we’ve listed above. And remember- if you’re not comfortable doing it, there’s no shame in hiring a pro!
Tips for keeping your chimney clean and functioning properly
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional
- Use a chimney cap to keep animals and debris out of your chimney
- Avoid using your fireplace if it hasn’t been properly cleaned
By following these tips, you can help to extend the life of your chimney and prevent costly repairs in the future.
Hi, my name’s Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. Do you have a fireplace in your house? I’ll help you figure out the best type and style of fireplace for your home.