The History of Chimney Sweeping
Back in the 17th century people knew that chimneys needed to be brushed. The Master Sweep would hire boys that were small to scramble up and climb chimneys. They would brush out the chimneys with small brushes that were hand held. If there were deposits of tar that were somewhat harder to remove, then they would use metal scrapers to remove them.
The boys working for him were considered apprentices and they were bound to this trade even as young as 7 years old. In the 18th century standard cleaning equipment was finally developed for chimney sweeping and this equipment is used even today.
There was another method that was created that used a ball, a brush, and a rope. The chimney sweep would lower this down from the chimney’s top. The weight from the iron or lead ball would pull down the brush and would then clean the chimney.
When coal stopped being a main heating element, many gave up their trade as chimney sweeps because there was gas being used and people assumed this meant that the chimney’s did not need cleaning. However once there was no cleaning of these chimneys, it was noticed that many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning were happening from the blockage of chimneys.
As one can see chimney sweeping dates back as far as there have been fireplaces. This shows that there has been a lot of research done on how important chimney sweeping is. It would not still be around if it was not important to ensure that the chimney was clean and clear of any blocks that could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Nowadays you need to be sure that they are cleaning your chimney on a regular basis. Many factors need to be considered when deciding how often – the best way is to call A1 Chimney and ask. They are professionals that we highly recommend.
The more you use your chimney the more you will need it swept.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when looking at the history of chimney sweeping and how it still plays a part in today’s world.
Why is Chimney Sweeping Important?
Every time winter comes around, you will find that it is time to light up the fireplace again to help keep you warm and comfortable through the cold season.
Your chimney needs to be cleaned regularly otherwise your home can become unsafe. One of the most common problems is when smoke fills up your home instead of going through the chimney.
Usually once each year, you need to have maintenance and clean your chimney to ensure that your fireplace is safe. Some of the types of maintenance that is needed you can do yourself, however there are other things that are better left to a A1 Chimney professional. Over a period of time soot can build up in your chimney. If this soot is not properly cleaned out, it has the potential to ignite and start an unwanted fire, putting both your home and family’s lives at risk.
You will also find that if you do not have a guard or rain cap at the top of your chimney that other things like leaves and other types of debris can hamper the airflow of your fireplace.
Combined with soot buildup, this can result in a home that is full of smoke and the deadly gas, carbon monoxide. If present in the enclosed space of your home, carbon monoxide will seriously affect the health of yourself and your family.
To prevent debris, you will want to make sure that a chimney cap is installed by a professional because if it isn’t, then you might find that animals such as birds or even squirrels are getting in your chimney. Many people without the cap find that birds make nests in their chimneys which is definitely something you don’t want happening.
Having a professional come out and clean your chimney will help prevent the above issues. If you’re already experiencing these issues please contact A1 Chimney; they’ll be happy to assist you.
But it’s not just conventional fireplaces that need maintenance.
If your chimney is oil or gas burning, you will also need maintenance done. The cleaning process is different depending on you type of chimney.
Chimney sweep professionals know exactly what to do no matter what type of chimney you have. For the safety of yourself and others, we recommend hiring a professional chimney sweeper to ensure your chimney and your home remain in good condition.
Chimney Sweeping Tools
One of the most important parts of chimney sweeping is the tools that are used. You will find that without the proper tools, the job will not get done correctly. There are a number of different tools that are used with chimney sweeping and each tool has a purpose.
- Chimney Rods and Brushes – This includes the rod and brushes that are used for metal and masonry chimneys. You can get these tools for businesses or for a homeowner looking to do the work on their own.
- Pellet Stove Rods and Brushes – These are not only easy for one to use but are also made from nylon quality bristles.
- Dryer Vent Rods and Brushes – These have a turning radius that is sharp and will not end up caught in the offsets or elbows of the vents for your dryer.
- Hand Brushes – these are good for cleaning and areas that are small. These come in many different sizes and are made of different materials for different jobs.
- Chimney Cleaning Systems – These are great for the cleaning of large or medium sized chimneys. There are brushes as well as accessories that are included.
- Soot Removers (Chemical) – This helps a professional or homeowner with the removal of soot as well as dangerous creosote.
All of these tools are important when it comes to chimney cleaning. It does not matter if you are a homeowner trying to get the job done on your own or if you are a professional chimney sweeper who needs to proper tools to clean people’s chimneys.
There are many different places that offer chimney sweeping tools. However, cleaning a chimney is not always straight forward and a lot of the time, its better just hiring a professional. The best way to ensure your chimney is clean is to let a professional do the job for you.
This will keep you from feeling responsible should the chimney not be cleaned properly. You will also find that someone that does this job on a day in and day out basis is going to be much better equipped at cleaning your chimney than you are. We recommend A1 Chimney for your chimney sweeping needs.
