One of the great features of your log cabin is the fireplace. However, fireplaces require care, especially if you’re lighting the fire each day. Cleaning the chimney yourself, if done correctly, saves you a lot of money. After all, it should happen at least once a year so there aren’t dangerous levels of buildup.
Step 1: Organize Your Gear
Cleaning the chimney yourself requires a few pieces of special gear in the form of chimney sweep brushes. You’ll need a couple of different diameters and lengths to clean your log cabin chimney properly. Additionally, you’ll need some plastic sheeting and tape to seal the fireplace. Lastly, you’ll need some gloves, a ladder, and protective wear that seals around your eyes.
Step 2: Clear and Seal the Fireplace
Before you start, you may want to place a drop cloth in front of your fireplace. The first step is removing any logs, ash, or other debris from your last fire. Then, it’s time to open the damper, which will allow all the particles to settle in the firebox while you’re cleaning the chimney. Once that’s all set up, use the plastic tarp and tape to create an airtight seal around your fireplace.
Step 3: Clearing the Chimney from the Roof
During this step, remember to practice proper roof safety. Once you’re on the roof, remove any animal guards or caps carefully. From there, take the largest diameter chimney brush and start working the deposits off the chimney walls from the top. You’ll be cleaning the chimney of your log cabin down to the smoke shelf from this vantage.
Once you’ve done a thorough job cleaning all the way down the flue, replace any hardware, and ensure all fasteners are in place. Then, make your way down the ladder and wait for the dust to settle in the firebox.
Step 4: Cleaning the Chimney from the Bottom
Once all the dust has settled, you’ll want to make a small opening in the plastic tarp covering your log cabin fireplace. From this opening, you’ll use smaller chimney brushes to clear the last part. You’ll want to start as high as the brush will reach and then work your way back down. Once you’ve finished cleaning the chimney, reseal the tarp and wait for the dust to settle, which will be about six hours.
Step 5: Remove Debris
This step is tricky since any disturbance can cause fine dust to spread throughout the room and your log cabin at large. All the doors and windows on your cabin should remain closed throughout the process, and any fans turned off. If you have a central air system, turn that off too.
Once you’re sure nothing will disturb the deposits resting in the fireplace, peel back the plastic sheeting slowly. From there, use a shop vac to collect all the debris and dust from cleaning your chimney. By the time you’re done, your firebox should be entirely clean. This process may require you to empty the shop vac midway through.
