Chimney cleaning is a reliable business with repeat customers. All chimneys should be cleaned every year, to prevent fire, because the creosote deposits inside them are flammable. That is true of wood stoves and central heating system chimneys. In addition, if you have the equipment, you can opt out of chimney cleaning. You can clean the dryer vents, for example.
The chimney sweep business is not regulated, but you will start building a good reputation by earning NFI (National Fireplace Institute) certification from the Chimney Sweep Institute of America. Those certificates will give you a license.
You will also need coverage and insurance to run a chimney sweeping business. Liability means that a surety bond is purchased to protect the customer from financial loss. You need to be bonded and insured because you will be working inside and outside of clients’ homes.
Why Is Quality Chimney Sweep Equipment Important?
Remember the old saying, You get what you pay for. It is especially true of chimney sweeps. If you use chimney sweep tools you will end up repurchasing things.
Chimney cleaning is difficult for machines. To get the job done, day in and day out, you’ll need cleaning equipment that can handle that kind of use.
List of Professional Chimney Cleaning Tools
One of the most important pieces of chimney cleaning equipment you will buy is a chimney vacuum system. When cleaning chimneys, creosote buildup in the chimney can drip down into the flue and create a real mess inside the house. That doesn’t help in the customer satisfaction category!
Chaos isn’t too bad. Ash composition consists of very small particles, which are dangerous to breathe. Let’s start with a list of chimney cleaners to help you get the job done.
Chimney brushes
Chimney brushes come in two main types. You will need a wire chimney brush and a polypropylene brush. Brushes are used with sticks.
Why is there a difference? For metal chimneys, you cannot use a wire brush, which can scratch and damage the inside of the chimney. Same with clay flues. For construction chimneys, you can use a wire brush.
The chimney brush also comes in different shapes and diameters. For example, to clean the chimney for a pellet stove, you can use a 3-inch chimney brush. Chimney brushes – both polypropylene brushes and wire brushes – come in diameters from 3 inches to 12 inches.
Wire brushes and polypropylene brushes can be round or rectangular. For example, a standard size fireplace flue has an inside diameter of 13 x 18 inches. For those chimneys, you will need a square brush.
Chimney Brush Sticks
Whether round or rectangular, brushes do not work without chimney cleaning sticks. Nylon is the material used for the flexible chimney sweep stick and should be part of your chimney sweep kit.
Brush systems may use steel stem rods. Both the steel and nylon rods come in stages, which come together as needed as the brush is pushed up the groove and begins to clean the creosote.
Brush rods can be fed by hand or you can use a power sweep system, driven by a rotary drill. Both polypropylene and wire chimney brushes can be paired with rods and used in this type of system.
By the way, 3-inch polypropylene chimney brushes can be used to clean dryer vents – a great way to “sell” your service.
Chimney Vacuum Systems
As mentioned before, this is the most important device you will buy. You need to clean all creosote and soot. Without one, you cannot properly clean the fireplace and please the owners of the house. An efficient chimney vacuum system is an important part of your kit.
The best chimney cleaning system for the job uses a HEPA cartridge and can be adjusted to provide a tight fit, from small openings to large areas.
Chimney Sweep Camera Kits and Inspection Gear
This is another piece of equipment where you can expand the sale to include other areas of the house. Chimney sweep camera kits will provide quality images from inside the chimney, before you start the job, helping you find any damage and pinpoint areas of creosote build-up, cracks, or other problems such as bird nests that block airflow.
You can increase sales by using the same equipment to inspect HVAC ducts, which are often required in home sales/purchases. The camera kit can be used after the job is done, showing homeowners the results of your work.
Protective Equipment
You and your employees must wear a full-face respirator. You will also need safety gloves for the job. Many chimney sweep business owners use elbow-length gloves. You can also consider wearing a safety harness while up on the roof – the harness can be tied to the chimney.
Other Chimney Cleaning Tools
Here is a list of other things you will need as part of your chimney cleaning solutions:
- Ceramic glass cleaner
- Masonry sealant
- Canvas drop cloth – you need more than one canvas drop cloth as you won’t be able to take a dirty one to use on your next job.
- Slip on protective boot covers – So you don’t track dirt and debris around the house.
- Stairs – extension stairs are an excellent choice.
Should You Clean Your Fireplace Chimney?
That really depends on a few things. Is your chimney outside the house, and no more than one story tall and straight, like a metal chimney? Does it have vomiting? Yes, you can and buy limited items, such as polypropylene brush and tool stick systems. You will have those costs initially but in the next year, your investment will be free.
However, if you need access to your roof to clean the chimney, give this job more thought. With the average chimney cleaning cost under $500, wouldn’t you trust the superior work of a professional chimney sweep?
What is the Best Chimney Vacuum System?
Remember that you need a system with an industrial grade HEPA filter and an adjustable exhaust. Here are the trusted names:
What Brushes Are Used for Chimney Cleaning?
Both steel and polypropylene brushes are used, in various diameters, round or rectangular.
Handyman Tools – Everything You Need to Start a Business
Which Chimney Cleaning Tool Is The Most Important?
A chimney vacuum system is a very important tool. You can expect to spend around $4,000 for a quality system.
Stick to buying quality gear, and that gear will carry your business for years without the need to buy anything else.
Image: Depositphotos
