Published on: June 16, 2022 To ensure that the work gets completed on schedule, chimney sweeping requires a great deal of dedication and, of course, a decent and skilled pair of hands. However, any chimney cleaning expert can tell you that it takes more than that to accomplish the job effectively. It also necessitates the use of the best chimney cleaning tools! Watch this: Chimney Sweep Tools Brushes Methods Review Having the necessary chimney cleaning tools makes the procedure much easier. With advancements in professional chimney sweep equipment, various options have reached the market, and we’re here to review the finest of them for you. If you want to run a successful and profitable chimney sweep business, you must certainly have most of these chimney sweep equipment tools at your disposal. Table of Content 16 Essential Chimney Sweeping Tools Wire chimney brush Polypropylene brush Flexible chimney cleaning rod SnapLok’s power sweeping system Smoke chamber brush Ceramic glass cleaner Powder-based creosote remover Chimney vacuum system Respirator Camera kit Inspection mirrors Lighting Canvas drop cloth Masonry sealant Chimney water repellent Chimney sweep scheduling software FAQ Conclusion 16 Essential Chimney Sweeping Tools 1. Wire chimney brush If you want to clean all the inaccessible areas and stubborn cracks in your chimney, a wire chimney brush is an indispensable tool for every chimney sweep expert. Wire chimney brushes are especially suitable for stone chimneys and clay flues. These brushes come in a broad range of sizes and shapes, but the rectangle and circular ones work best for getting into all the nooks and crevices. A chimney sweep brush is a basic yet effective chimney cleaning tool that will make those minor but inconvenient tasks effortless. The wire brush is an essential tool in the chimney sweep business because it can fit into small crevices of a smoke chamber even. It is used to clean creosote and soot from the chimney’s inside walls. Wire chimney brushes are also great for getting rid of dirt and creosote buildup. Larger cleaning jobs, on the other hand, might necessitate the use of more robust chimney sweep equipment. 2. Polypropylene brush Polypropylene brushes, as opposed to wire brushes, provide a more gentle and delicate scrubbing for fragile chimneys and flues. Polypropylene brushes are ideal for scrubbing stainless steel, and because they do not leave noticeable scratch marks, they safeguard the resident’s warranty agreement. The polypropylene brush is an ideal alternative for your chimney cleaning technicians if they need to remove stains of soot, grease, or acidic chemicals. Your clients will be delighted to know that their chimney has been thoroughly cleaned, with no stains or scratches. If you work on metal chimneys frequently, keep this handy tool at your disposal. 3. Flexible chimney cleaning rod When cleaning chimneys, these rods come in handy because they allow you to access all across the entire shaft. Many versatile chimney cleaning rods are made of nylon or another elastic material. The rods also aid in the removal of soot from the chimney’s base, which helps to prevent fires. When choosing chimney cleaning rods, ensure that the rods can be joined together to reach higher areas. Because most rods include a locking mechanism, you don’t have to worry about losing your spot while cleaning chimneys. 4. SnapLok’s power sweeping system SnapLok’s power sweeping system is exactly what you need if you’re seeking for one of the most efficient chimney sweep equipment on the market. Source: snaploksystems.com The cleaning heads can be customized to meet your specific requirements, and the robust nylon tips leave the chimney polished. Another benefit of using SnapLok’s power sweeping system is it has a wire handle. The wire handle will assist you in cleaning almost every type of chimney you come across. Whether you’re working on a minor cleaning task or have a chimney that needs to be cleaned thoroughly, a power sweeping system guarantees you get the job done well. It’s also one of the most economical chimney sweep equipment available in the market. 5. Smoke chamber brush Another area of the chimney that is susceptible to soot and creosote buildup is the smoke chamber. That is why having a smoke chamber brush readily available is an essential requisite to safeguard your customers from any potentially hazardous fire accidents. Many smoke chamber brushes have a greater degree of flexibility that makes it easier to clean hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Chimney cleaning solutions to complement the tools When densely layered creosote and soot accumulations coat the walls of the chimney lining, you must use tried-and-true chimney cleaning products that can remove even the densest layers of creosote. When everyday cleaning procedures fail, certain chemical cleaners of supreme quality, such as the Chimney Rx Creosote Remover, can remove stubborn coated creosote. Furthermore, these cleaners will not damage any catalytic converters installed in stoves. There are also several heavy-duty chimney cleaners available that provide a reliable, quick solution at a reasonable price. They are quite effective without overworking your hands by constantly scrubbing for long hours. To prevent poisonous fumes from polluting the resident’s air quality, use a non-toxic and ecologically friendly cleaning solution. 6. Ceramic glass cleaner Your chimney cleaning crew may occasionally come across a chimney that isn’t built of traditional materials such as stone or metal. If you want to clean a ceramic chimney efficiently, you’ll require a quality ceramic cleaner in your chimney cleaning kit. Ceramic glass cleaners are quite effective and will help prevent dangerous substances from accumulating in the future. After you’ve administered the ceramic glass cleaner, all you have to do now is spread it over the chimney with a wet cloth or sponge. To avoid staining, you can also consider using a paper towel or dry cloth to wipe away any excess cleanser. 7. Powder-based creosote remover Creosote is a substance formed over time from various tars and plant-based components. Creosote, if left unchecked and dirty, can be dangerous and potentially cause house fires. Source: kroger.com As a result, it’s critical that you have a reputable powder-based creosote remover at hand to keep your customers’ chimneys safe and clean. There are various low-cost powder-based solutions available in the market for preventing creosote accumulation. These solutions also improve ventilation and the overall performance of the chimney. Chimney sweep gear It’s also imperative that your chimney cleaning professionals are safe while on the job at all times. Servicing a chimney exposes your employees to a wide range of chemicals that might create major long-term health issues. The following are some high-quality chimney cleaning gear that your professional chimney sweep must have: 8. Chimney vacuum system Cleaning the chimney is surely a task, but tidying up your workplace once the job is done can be a tricky process. That’s why an advanced chimney vacuum system that is of industrial grade is a great addition to your toolbox. The vacuum will eliminate all toxic substances that could cause health issues for your customers and will leave their homes neat and tidy once your crew has left. 9. Respirator A professional chimney sweep is constantly exposed to hazardous chemicals such as carcinogens, which can have a negative impact on their general health. As a result, it’s critical that your technicians wear a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) for every chimney cleaning job, especially when they’re face-deep in a resident’s chimney. A commercial-grade HEPA filter is used in this type of respirator to eliminate impurities while enabling one to breathe clean and fresh air. 10. Camera kit Investing in a reputable camera kit can be expensive, but it is definitely worth it. You and your team can extensively inspect a chimney vent with camera equipment to identify all problematic areas. This will boost your efficiency and allow you to perform tasks more quickly. Make sure you get a camera kit with an LED display that is also water-resistant. Although camera kits can be pricey, consider them a long-term asset for your company. Customers will be likely to call you again if they notice that you’re well-equipped with top-notch chimney cleaning gear. 11. Inspection mirrors Inspection mirrors are convenient if you need to examine a flue quickly from inside and cannot afford expensive camera equipment. There are various inexpensive inspection mirrors available in many different materials, such as stainless steel and glass. Your inspection mirror will help you discover problems fast, allowing you and your team to plan tasks more efficiently. 12. Lighting You ought to carry your own lighting equipment because flues don’t have a lot of natural light. Fortunately, to make your cleaning job easier, there are various lighting gears in the market to choose from. It’s not easy to make your way into a dark chimney, but with a suitable lighting gear, you can do the task effectively, and with efficiency. 13. Canvas drop cloth When cleaning a chimney, never use a plastic drop cloth. It is because the static charge produced by the plastic attracts particle matter, causing it to cling to the drop cloth rather than going up and out the chimney. Use a reputable canvas drop cloth instead. Canvas, a reusable and absorbent fabric, provides versatility without causing any mess. A durable, multipurpose drop cloth can be used for both interior and exterior tasks. To prevent an unfortunate situation with a client when you aren’t the only thing in their residence covered in soot, it is worth the extra expense of a canvas drop cloth. So, canvas drop cloth is one of the must-have tools in your chimney cleaning kit to get the job done. 14. Masonry sealant Masonry chimneys are prone to wear and tear; therefore, having masonry sealant in your toolkit will certainly be useful while working on such varieties of chimneys. Masonry sealant is excellent for sealing up any gaps or visible flaws. It is recommended to look for a sealant that does not need a binding solution and dries quickly. 15. Chimney water repellent Waterproofing a flue is critical because it minimizes long-term damage to both the chimney and the nearby structure of the property. To collect water vapor, your cleaning crew can easily apply a water-repellent solution to the surface of brick chimneys. Applying water repellant to the chimney also prevents the need for multiple future chimney repairs. 16. Chimney sweep scheduling software A chimney sweep scheduling software is a must-have technological solution for all cleaning techs. It will help you in scheduling tasks, dispatching service techs to their work locations, invoicing customers, and even generating field service performance reports. FieldCamp is one such field service scheduling software that can enable you to do all the abovementioned and so much more with complete automation. Chimney Sweep Scheduling Software That Helps You Save up to 95% of your time Automate 90% of your daily operations Generate and track reports in a few clicks Start Your Free Trial No credit card details required FAQs How much does a chimney sweep cost? The cost of a chimney sweep can range between $129 and $378, with a national median of $252. Prices vary depending on location and the level of cleaning required, among other variables. How do you get creosote out of a chimney? Creosote can be broken down into ash by applying liquid, powder, or sprays directly to a fire or wood in your fireplace, which can then be swept away with the use of a chimney sweep brush. In other circumstances, the buildup is so extreme that flue brushes are rendered ineffective. How long does it take to inspect and sweep a chimney? A typical chimney sweep and inspection can take 45 minutes to an hour. Rooftop chimney sweeps block off a 2-hour time slot just in case something comes up that causes the service to take longer to properly complete. What is the difference between creosote buildup and soot? Soot and creosote are the byproducts of burning wood. They both accumulate in the flue liner of fireplaces and wood stoves. However, creosote is unique in that it is mostly tar produced due to the incomplete combustion of wood. On the other hand, soot can result from poor combustion of oil and gas and wood. What is the most effective cleaner for removing soot? The finest product for cleaning soot is trisodium phosphate (TSP). If it is not available in your region, there are phosphate-free (TSP-PF) alternatives you can look at to get the job done. Alternatively, you can make a liquid solution with water and a dishwashing liquid that has a degreaser. What’s the best way to unclog a chimney? To remove any debris, scrape the chimney top with a scrubbing brush. Then, with a flashlight, investigate the interior of the chimney. Clean out the upper area of the chimney using your scrubbing brush, either pushing or dragging out the debris. Replace the chimney cover when finished. How Can FieldCamp Help Streamline Your Field Service Business Operations? FieldCamp is one of the best field service scheduling software in the industry that can streamline 90% of your chimney sweep business operations with complete automation. It helps you save 95% of your time spent in scheduling jobs and dispatching your technicians and instead enables you to focus on core business goals. As a chimney sweep business owner, time is the most crucial resource and FieldCamp knows it better. Sign up for our 7-day trial period for FREE, and see how it increases your company’s profitability effectively. Author Bio Gaurang Bhatt Gaurang Bhatt is a techie in himself with an ability to solve problems technically and present solutions in the form of a product. He is one of the pioneers to curate FieldCamp with his 15+ years of knowledge and expertise in providing solutions to home service industries. Gaurang aims to overcome challenges faced by service business owners through software solutions and blogs. Sign up for weekly updates from Fieldcamp.
