Safety is the most important thing and everyone should remember that. If you have your own home, you must remember to clean the chimney regularly. Today we will tell you why it is so important, but you will also find out whether you can do it yourself.
Why is regular chimney cleaning so important?
For the heating system to function properly and discharge exhaust gases, the chimney must be cleaned regularly. This removes rust that could cause a fire. An uncleaned chimney may cause the walls of the duct to crack. In order to maintain its trouble-free operation and proper discharge of combusted fuels, it is necessary to clean the chimney at least twice a year - this is what the applicable regulations say. However, the truth is that chimneys can definitely become clogged faster, for example as a result of using wet wood or improper burning methods, for example with coal. If the furnace operates with a lack of air, it may also become clogged. Soot in the chimney can ignite and cause a serious fire. As we know, carbon monoxide is also dangerous. If the pipe is leaky, carbon monoxide gas may escape, which is deadly. We must not forget that uncleaned chimneys or cleaned too rarely result in significantly lower heating efficiency. Dirt and soot disturb draft, making combustion inappropriate.
Check products for cleaning the chimney and sealing the central heating system
When and how often should you clean your chimney?
It is generally accepted that chimneys need to be cleaned twice a year, and this is undoubtedly true, but there are also exceptions. Let's start with the fact that there are two types of chimney flues in houses. These include ventilation and exhaust ducts. It's time to find out how often you need to clean them:
- If you have a furnace that uses liquid or gas fuel, the exhaust ducts need to be cleaned twice a year, specifically in autumn and spring;
- If you have a solid fuel stove with flue pipes connected to it, they must be cleaned at least 4 times a year, preferably every 3 months;
- All ventilation ducts should be unblocked at least once every two years, although it is recommended to do this every year.
Remember that regular cleaning of chimneys is necessary, and the frequency we provide is required by law. Such cleaning must be carried out by chimney sweepers. But are they the only ones?
Chimney cleaning - independently and with the help of a specialist
It is generally accepted that chimneys must always be cleaned by chimney sweepers. This is undoubtedly true, but it does not mean that you cannot do it yourself. Here you need to know that smoke and exhaust flues are subject to mandatory cleaning and inspection by authorized persons. This provision was included in the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs of January 17, 1969. If this provision is not complied with, a financial penalty is imposed on the property owner. The chimney flue must be cleaned by a chimney sweeper twice a year. It is also his responsibility to check the condition of the heating installation. However, there is no point in cheating. Well, frequent heating generates a large amount of soot, so cleaning the chimney twice a year is simply too rare. When a layer of 2-3 mm of soot accumulates, you can clean the chimney yourself and it is not that difficult. Here you just need to take appropriate measures. If the soot is wet and tar appears, the risk of fire is really high and you should hire a chimney sweeper to do the work as soon as possible.
Chimney cleaning products
Necessary products for cleaning the chimney and sealing the central heating system . You will definitely find it useful:
- central heating installation sealant, e.g. ONNLINE 4 central heating installation sealant . It prevents water loss in installation or heating boilers.
- a specialized roofing sealant that is resistant to weather conditions. It is based on acrylic emulsion.
- chimney cleaning powder - quickly and effectively removes soot and tar. This is a universal product, so it will work for any cable, regardless of whether you heat your house with wood, coal or fuel oil. It has
-
used for stainless steel pipes and smoke pipes.
Cleaning the chimney yourself also requires the use of appropriate equipment. One of them is a chimney sweeper. You can also use a pipe cleaner. Thanks to this, you will be able to reach hard-to-reach places and do the job reliably.
Check products for cleaning the chimney and sealing the central heating system