If you feel like you are able to safely complete this task, here's how:![]() While it’s a great idea to have the chimney inspected by a professional FIRST, if you feel gung-ho, you may be able to do some maintenance yourself. (As always, these are not repair recommendations - use at your own risk and PLEASE BE SAFE!) Here are some suggested steps for cleaning your chimney yourself:
Most people are better off hiring a pro, and for good reason. Chimney cleaning is less straightforward than it may seem, and it’s a job where experience counts. That said, with the right tools, skills, and knowledge of what to look for, it’s possible for a seasoned DIYer to clean their own chimney. Buy a chimney brush that’s sized and shaped to fit your flue, and enough extension rods to run the flue’s entire length (rods come in 4-, 5-, and 6-foot lengths). For masonry flues, use a metal brush, and for stainless steel ones, use a poly brush. You can find these on a number of websites and in some stores, though they're not as readily available in West Texas as in colder areas of the country. Here's an example of a chimney brush: a.co/d/dxPnYFL To use a chimney brush, follow these steps:
That's it! You should have a much cleaner chimney going forward!
Remember, to avoid creosote build up in the future, use dry, hard woods for burning whenever possible.
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Water heaters can and usually will leak, so having a water heater without a drain pan is kind of like having a home without a roof. It doesn't make sense, and it's pretending the inevitable won't happen!
Drain pans come in several shapes and sizes, so there's no good excuse for your plumbing contractor not installing a drain pan below the water heater.... The next, and equally important step is to make sure that the drain pan is connected to an exterior drain. For slab foundation homes, having a drain pan that connects to an exterior drain can be challenging to install, but it is doable! Having a water heater drain pan that does not connect to an exterior drain is kind of like having a roof that isn't water proof - What's the point? Make sure your next water heater is properly installed! |
AuthorCale Cameron Archives
January 2025
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