chimney sweep brush
If you have a fireplace or woodburning stove, chimney sweeping can’t be something you add to your “to do list” when you “get around to it”—it’s an efficiency and safety necessity. Soot, creosote, and debris accumulate in the flue over time, reducing airflow and posing a very real fire danger. Homeowners previously would employ to hire out this job to a professional sweep. But suppose you are a home repair homeowner who wishes to do it yourself. Is it possible to sweep your chimney with a sweep brush?
Short answer: technically yes, but there are a few things, some equipment, and precautions that you should know before charging up onto the roof with a brush.
Why Chimney Cleaning Matters
Every time you use wood, creosote is left in your chimney. Creosote is a gummy, tar-like material that’s highly flammable. A small quantity will ignite and create a fatal chimney fire. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that chimneys must be inspected each year and cleaned as needed to reduce the hazard of fire.
A clean chimney also ensures that your fireplace or stove functions better, the smoke going up as it should and your home free from deadly gases like carbon monoxide.
How a Chimney Sweep Brush Works
Chimney sweep brushes are utilized to sweep away soot and creosote from the interior of your chimney flue walls. They exist in every size, shape, and material, with wire bristles being employed for masonry and soft polypropylene bristles for metal liners.
Most extension rod-products are chimney sweep brushes, so you get the benefit of working top down (roof) and bottom up (in the fireplace). Some owners even go ahead to use a drill-powered rotary cleaning system to simplify things for themselves.
The Pros of DIY Chimney Cleaning
If you are going to do it yourself, the following are some advantages that you might be able to benefit from:
Cost Savings – Professional sweeps will cost anywhere from $100 to $300 for the cleaning. The quality brush and rods would probably be about $50–$100 and reusable.
Convenience – You clean at your convenience, not making an appointment.
Personal Satisfaction – For the homeowner who does it himself, there is satisfaction in cleaning your own home.
The Cons and Risks of DIY Chimney Cleaning
Before you can lift your ladder, these are the drawbacks:
Safety Hazards – Fireplace or roof work is risky. You might fall, breathe soot, or even walk over a chimney fire danger when you clean.
Poor Cleaning – Without expert tools and expertise, you might not know hidden creosote accumulation or structural issues.
Lack of Inspection – A professional sweep not only sweeps but also inspects cracks, blockages, and damage. Self-cleaning may skip such crucial safety checks.
Mess – Sweeping out your chimney is extremely messy. Soot can go all around your home if not contained.
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decide to go ahead, here’s a general guide for a safe
DIY chimney cleaning:
Gather Your Tools
Chimney sweep brush (the correct size for your flue)
Extension rods
Safety glasses
Respirator or dust mask
Gloves
Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
Duct tape (to seal fireplace opening)
Ladder and roof safety gear (if cleaning from the top)
Prepare the Area
Remove any ashes or logs from the fireplace.
Put drop cloths around the hearth.
Seal the fireplace opening with plastic and tape in order not to let soot into your home.
Choose Your Cleaning Method
Top-Down: Hold the brush and force it up onto the roof, scrubbing down in sections.
Bottom-Up: In the fire place, force the brush up through the flue in sections.
Rotary Process: With the brush on a drill and flexible rods for faster, more effective cleaning.
Scrubs Thoroughly
Brush up and down several times to scrub out soot and creosote.
Add or remove rods to fill to the full height of the chimney.
Clean Up
Clean out all ash and trash from the fireplace.
Dispose of soot in airtight container.
Clean the hearth surround.
Safety Precautions You Won’t Want to Miss
Protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses are worn at all times— soot inhalation will create serious breathing problems.
Never work on the roof when it is wet, windy or icy.
Use a sturdy ladder and, if possible, have a helper to hold it steady.
Keep fire extinguisher handy to put out smoldering embers if dislodged.
When to Call a Professional Instead
Even if you’re comfortable with DIY tasks, there are situations where a professional chimney sweep is the safer choice:
You suspect a chimney fire has occurred in the past.
The chimney has not been swept in a number of years.
The chimney is very high, steep, or inaccessible.
You notice signs of structural damage to the chimney, like cracks or loose bricks.
You are not comfortable at heights.
Table: DIY Chimney Cleaning vs. Professional Service
Factor
DIY Cleaning with Sweep BrushProfessional Chimney Sweep
Cost
$50–$100 (cost of initial brush)
$100–$300 per visitTime Required
1–3 hours45 minutes–1 hourSkill Needed
Moderate DIY skillNone (done by trained professional)
Safety RiskHigher – roof work, soot inhaledLow – treated with proper safety gear
CarefulnessWill not have creosote hidden or broken downFull clean with check
Mess ControlWill be messy if not sealed properlyUsually minimal messCheck
Not included unless done privatelyIncluded in course of service
Expert Insight
As Mark Johnson, a 20-year-plus certified chimney sweep, so elegantly puts it:
“Fine, you can clean your own chimney with a sweep brush, but don’t get too cocky about your ability, tools, and protection. The real hazard isn’t so much the soot—it’s the stuff you can’t see, like hidden cracks or creosote pockets that might ignite.”
You may be able to sweep your own chimney with a sweep brush, and it’s inexpensive and maybe even a bit of a fun do-it-yourself project—if done right. But it’s not to be taken lightly. The risk of falling, penetration by toxic debris, or overlooking structural damage is there.
