How to Clean a Fireplace Amsterdam NY

Cleaning the fireplace should ideally come at a time when you do not expect to use it for a while, as in the warm summer months. Many people relish the task of cleaning out several months' worth of ash, soot, and smoke build-up. That being said, effectively cleaning a masonry fireplace and the lower part of your chimney and flue is not a particularly challenging or time-consuming task. It should not take much more than a few hours, putting it roughly on par with any other household cleaning task.

Local Companies

Miracle Carpet Cleaning Amstrdm
(518) 842-9436
Amsterdam, NY
Budget Cleaning Inc
(585) 256-2810
39 Saginaw Dr Ste 10
Rochester, NY
Maid Brigade of Long Island
(631) 246-6243
Stony Brook, NY
Best Cleaning Llc
(718) 318-4991
163 Beach 108th St
Rockaway Park, NY
Twenty-Four Seven Upholstery Cleaning
(516) 379-1677
2290 Pine St
Merrick, NY
Moppets Cleaning Service
(516) 294-9120
Levittown, NY
Maid Wizard the
(631) 789-9369
2 Cahill St
Amityville, NY
Delta Clng Svce
(212) 989-6550
11409 Colfax St
Cambria Heights, NY
Vip Home Services
(845) 267-0604
157 N Route 9W
Congers, NY
Workenders
(518) 347-1127
1316 Nott St
Schenectady, NY

Steps

  1. Ensure that the fireplace and ashes have cooled. You can shovel, sweep or vacuum (with an ash vacuum) the ashes out. Once this debris has been removed, you can get to the actual cleaning of the firebox, damper, and lower part of the chimney.
  2. Remove the fireplace grate or andirons, and bring them outside to scrape the soot and grime off with a wire brush. You may choose to polish them with a specialized cleaning material.
  3. Removing any built-up creosote and tar by taking a wire brush to the damper as well and lower part of the chimney, . Shovel or vacuum this out of the firebox, and then move on to the last step ? the firebox.
  4. Choose from a variety of solvents for cleaning. When cleaning the firebox, there are a number of possible substances to use, including specialty fireplace cleaning products ? the choice is largely up to you. Some popular options include washing soda, vinegar, or Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP) with warm water. Some use a mixture of warm water with chlorine bleach. You will want to use a stiff-bristled brush (not a wire brush) on the inside of the firebox after allowing the cleaning liquid of your choice to soak.
  5. Give it a little scrub. If using hot water and vinegar or washing soda, scrub the liquid into the firebox before letting it soak for 15-30mins. Come back and scrub the fireplace with generous applications of your cleaning liquid.
  6. Rinse with warm water when the fireplace is clean. At this point, you're done! Let the firebox air out, and dry. Close the damper to prevent the fireplace from sucking air out of your home through the summer, and close up your fireplace windows for the off-season.

Warnings

  • Whatever you do, do not mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia, as this will yield a toxic gas which can cause harm or death.

Things You'll Need

  • Time
  • Elbow Grease
  • gas
  • fuel
  • wood

Sources and Citations

  • http://www.fireplaces.com/
  • http://www.fireplaces-fireplaces.com/
  • http://www.fireplacesandwoodstoves.com/

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Clean a Fireplace. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Featured Local Company

MaidClean Pro

315-219-7550
Clark St.
Ilion, NY
www.maidcleanservice.com

Related Articles
- How to Choose Fireplace Tools Amsterdam NY
A working fireplace is often a big selling point for a home, but many people who buy a home with one don't often realize that it requires a certain amount of upkeep. To keep your fireplace the inviting centerpiece of your home, you're going to need plenty of fireplace tools....
- Home Materials Amsterdam NY
- Fireplace Products Amsterdam NY
- Fireplaces Amsterdam NY
- How to Clean a Plasma TV Screen Amsterdam NY
- How to Clean a Kitchen Table Amsterdam NY
- How to Keep a Clean Bathroom Amsterdam NY
- How to Clean Your Carpets Amsterdam NY
- Home Remodeling Amsterdam NY
- Introduction Of Chimney Amsterdam NY
Related Articles
- How to Choose Fireplace Tools Amsterdam NY
A working fireplace is often a big selling point for a home, but many people who buy a home with one don't often realize that it requires a certain amount of upkeep. To keep your fireplace the inviting centerpiece of your home, you're going to need plenty of fireplace tools....
- Home Materials Amsterdam NY
- Fireplace Products Amsterdam NY
- Fireplaces Amsterdam NY
- How to Clean a Plasma TV Screen Amsterdam NY
- How to Clean a Kitchen Table Amsterdam NY
- How to Keep a Clean Bathroom Amsterdam NY
- How to Clean Your Carpets Amsterdam NY
- Home Remodeling Amsterdam NY
- Introduction Of Chimney Amsterdam NY

Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Construction Health Legal
Business Services Education Home Services Real Estate
Careers & Work Family Insurance Software
Cars Financial Services Internet Telecommunications
Computing & Technology