Keeping your chimney clean will keep your home safe and your heating system efficient and long lasting. Our professional chimney cleaning services at iDUCT utilize specialized brushes for chimney cleaning thoroughly and safely for each type. Our experts determine and choose the right brushes for chimney cleaning jobs — from flexible poly brushes that protect metal flues to heavy-duty wire brushes that remove stubborn buildup in masonry chimneys.
Different Types Of Chimney Brushes Used In Professional Cleaning
To clean a chimney properly, you need the right brush for the specific type of chimney, and a clean chimney is only done by protecting the structure. The most common primary types of brushes for chimney cleaning are:
Brush Type | Description |
Poly Brushes | Durable plastic bristles are gentle on metal chimney flues. Designed for round metal chimneys to prevent scratching and preserving the metal surface. For chimneys that need a soft brush to prevent surface damage. |
Wire Brushes | Strong, abrasive bristles are designed for masonry chimneys and flue tile applications. Tough, sticky creosote deposits on brick and clay flues are best suited for this product. The power required for a deep scrub on rougher masonry surfaces. |
Rotary Brushes | To spin at high speeds, attach them to a drill and use to remove hardened creosote. Used in severe creosote buildup situations that are difficult to clean with standard brushes. An aggressive cleaning option for cases needing heavy duty removal. |
How to Choose the Right Brush for Your Chimney Type
A thorough cleaning without damaging the structure depends on the right brush. Because of the vast variety in material, shape and cleaning needs of chimneys, the type of brush should match the type of chimney. Here’s how iDUCT professionals choose the right brush for each type of chimney.
- Metal Chimneys: For chimneys made of metal, round metal flues, the best choice is poly brushes. The durable plastic bristles of the brushes clean efficiently without scratching or damaging the metal surface. Poly brushes are easy to sweep away soot and lighter creosote buildup, and they’re gentler on metal chimneys, which are usually smoother than masonry. With this gentle cleaning approach the life of the metal lining can be extended and it remains safe and not worn.
- Masonry Chimneys: Brick, clay, or cement chimneys need a sturdier brush to break up heavy creosote deposits and soot. Wire brushes are ideal for these chimneys. Wire brushes have strong, abrasive bristles that can get into and scrape off stubborn creosote, which tends to stick more to the porous surfaces of masonry. The scrubbing power of this type of brush is what is needed to keep masonry chimneys clean, deep and effectively removing the thick layers that tend to build up in these chimneys.
- Multi-Bend and Hard-to-Reach Chimneys: Flexible rods are needed along with the right brush for some chimneys with bends or unique structural features. iDUCT’s professionals use flexible rods to access tight spaces or chimneys with multiple bends otherwise inaccessible. Rotary brushes for chimney cleaning are also used when dealing with severe creosote buildup in these types of chimneys. But these brushes attach to a drill and spin them at high speeds to basically break down hardened creosote in more complex structures.
iDUCT’s experts choose the appropriate brush type for each chimney and carefully assess how each type can effectively clean a chimney without damaging the unique chimney structure.
Chimney Cleaning Brushes and Flexible Rods and Heavy-Duty Rods
Chimney cleaning rods are very important tools. They help chimney professionals reach every part of a chimney so that there is a complete clean from top to bottom. The two types of rods used at iDUCT are flexible rods and heavy duty rods with various types of brushes for chimney cleaning.
- Flexible Rods: They are intended for chimneys with bends, tight angles, or unusual structures. Flexible rods are made of materials that allow them to bend and twist, so they can move through the multi-bend paths of multi-bend chimneys, and reach even the hard to get to areas. Poly or wire brushes pair well with flexible rods and can be selected to suit the material of the chimney, giving a tailored and effective clean.
- Heavy-Duty Rods: Heavy duty rods are used for chimneys that require a stronger, more stable cleaning approach. While these rods are less flexible, they provide the force necessary to deal with stubborn creosote and other hard-to-remove deposits in masonry chimneys. Heavy duty rods paired with wire brushes for chimney cleaning allow iDUCT technicians to have the power and control to get the buildup scrubbed off, especially when dealing with larger and more demanding chimney structures.
iDUCT professionals can choose the right rod type to guarantee a deep and efficient clean that is adapted to the particular needs of each chimney.
How to Use Brushes for Chimney Cleaning
Chimney cleaning at iDUCT starts with evaluating creosote buildup and ends with precise dust control. Here’s a look at each step in our professional brush cleaning process:
Inspection
Prior to cleaning, a technician shines a strong spotlight into the chimney’s interior to see what level and type of creosote buildup exists. The initial inspection will dictate the cleaning approach and whether light brushing or more aggressive brushes for chimney cleaning are required. Knowing what type of creosote you have is important, as softer deposits need different tools and techniques than hardened, glazed creosote.
Brushing Technique
The technician uses a technique of short, controlled motions with the appropriate brush selected (poly for metal chimneys or wire for masonry). The motion of this brush allows soot and creosote to be dislodged without putting undue strain on the chimney structure. The brush can reach each section by methodically working from top down or vice versa, this way the brush will work each section and leave it clean.
Dust and Soot Control
A clean and safe chimney cleaning job depends on removing the dust and soot, which is why iDUCT technicians use HEPA-filter vacuums to trap fine particles and soot, keeping it out of the living space. In addition, the fireplace opening is covered or sealed with fireplace covers or protective seals to keep the debris in the chimney during cleaning.
With this systematic process, iDUCT guarantees a clean, safe, and efficient chimney cleaning that protects homes from creosote buildup and future chimney fires.
Why Professional Cleaning Tools Are Important
For safety, effectiveness and thoroughness, you need to use the right tools when cleaning the chimney. Standard consumer tools don’t cut it when compared to professional-grade brushes, rods, and cleaning equipment that provide the power, durability, and flexibility to handle different types of chimneys and different levels of creosote buildup.
Safety and Effectiveness
Chimney cleaning tools are professional grade and specifically designed to handle the job of chimney maintenance. These are not standard tools but are designed for the structural needs of different chimney types and the sticky, tough nature of creosote.
Heavy duty and flexible rods, and professional tools, allow technicians to reach all areas of the chimney, including bends or hard to reach spots, without damaging the structure. Also, professional HEPA vacuums and fireplace covers keep the dust and soot under control, protecting indoor air quality and keeping surfaces within the house clean.
Homeowner-Grade vs. Professional-Grade Equipment
Homeowner-grade equipment can work for basic maintenance, but they just don’t have the durability and power needed for more difficult cleaning jobs. Light soot may be removed with homeowner-grade brushes and rods, but heavy or hardened creosote is another matter.
But professional grade equipment, such as the wire and poly brushes used by iDUCT, offer a deeper clean and easily remove those stubborn deposits. Thanks to their durability these tools also perform consistently over time, allowing iDUCT to provide safer, more thorough, and longer lasting results than would be possible with consumer grade tools.
Conclusion: We trust iDUCT for a thorough and safe clean.
To keep your chimney safe and efficient, you need to choose the right chimney brush and cleaning methods. Poly for metal chimneys or wire for masonry, the type of brush is used, along with professional grade rods, to clean the chimney from top to bottom. Tools and methods do make a difference, especially when dealing with tough creosote buildup that can be a fire hazard if left untreated.
Here at iDUCT, we strive to provide a safe professional cleaning experience. We only use high-quality, industry-standard tools that are designed to meet the specific needs of your chimney, so you get a cleaner burn and a more efficient heating system. While we work, we use HEPA vacuums and protective covers so that your home remains clean. iDUCT will take care of your chimney with the professionalism, care, and safety that every homeowner deserves. If you need help keeping your chimney in top shape, we can help you to have a safer, more comfortable home environment year-round.