Log "Chimney sweep": reviews, instructions. Cleaning chimney stoves and fireplaces from soot

Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are rarely used in modern homes for heating due to the fact that high-tech methods of maintaining heat are much faster, more convenient and do not require such physical costs. But, despite this, fireplaces do not lose their popularity, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere in country houses or city apartments.

One of the important procedures to ensure the safe use of a wood stove or fireplace is the regular cleaning of the chimney. This is required regardless of the design of the chimney, through the wall or with an exit through the roof. Why clean the chimney and how often should this be done? How efficiently can this procedure be carried out using a chimney sweeper?

Why do you need to clean the chimney

To understand why it is necessary to clean the chimneys of stoves and fireplaces from soot, first of all, you need to know what happens in the chimney when using any type of solid fuel material, including firewood. When a fire burns in a fireplace or stove, the so-called combustion products, soot and soot are actively released. All of this, together with the smoke, goes upstairs, directly into the chimney flues and settles on the walls of the pipe with a soft greasy layer. The more time has passed since the last cleaning, the less space is left in the chimney for exhausting smoke and combustion products.

Of course, the correct operation, as well as observing the simple principles of selecting firewood for a stove or fireplace, can significantly slow down this process:

• No need to burn anything in the stove (fireplace) except firewood. It is better to try to dispose of any household, even paper, garbage in other ways.
• Choose firewood exclusively for those tree species that contain a minimum of resins. This, for example, dry wood alder, aspen, oak, birch. Firewood from fruit trees, which they love so much for the amazing aroma that stands out during combustion, is slightly worse in quality. Specialists consider coniferous trees to emit a large amount of soot due to the high content of natural resins as outsiders on this list. It is also not recommended to often use not the most expensive, but quickly burned out poplar and willow.
• Do not forget to regularly clean the blower.

Compliance with all of the above, together with prevention, will allow for years to avoid serious chimney clogging. But, despite this, cleaning the stove (chimney) pipe still cannot be avoided. In addition to settling soot, clogging can occur from the outside if debris or a foreign object enters the pipe. Therefore, professionals involved in the repair and cleaning of the chimney often recommend checking the chimney in autumn and spring.

How to understand that you need to clean the chimney? The first sign that the procedure cannot be postponed is a visible deterioration in traction. The exit of the main amount of smoke and smell not through the pipe, but into the room, sparks flying from the fireplace is a signal that the chimney is dirty. Traction, slow and inadequate, not only creates smoke, but can also lead to intoxication with carbon monoxide components. In addition, a spark may fly out of the fireplace and cause fire or injury.

What else is so dangerous polluted chimney? Ignition of accumulated soot can easily lead to cracking and destruction of the chimney walls. The conclusion that can be reached on the basis of the foregoing: cleaning the chimney is an important procedure, on the thoroughness and regularity of which depends the good work of stoves and fireplaces, as well as home safety.

Cleaning Methods

Depending on what means are used to clean the chimneys of stoves and fireplaces from soot, all methods of removing dirty sediment from a chimney can be divided into three groups:

• The oldest known method is mechanical, it is also a traditional chimney sweep. The procedure is carried out using special "chimney sweep tools": various brushes and a "core", a cable with a heavy load for breaking through a blockage. Despite the primitive appearance, such a cleaning of the chimneys of stoves and fireplaces from soot gives the best effect and allows you to cope with the most neglected types of blockage of the chimney.

• Thermal cleaning is also a fairly old method that has been tested for years. It consists in “burning out” soot by means of melting with well-dried pine wood. Technically, starting a fire and waiting for the result is the easiest and most inexpensive way. But the most dangerous: with a large accumulation of soot, ignition in the chimney is practically a small explosion. A pipe, especially of masonry, which has small cracks, can just fall apart. Therefore, experts advise using this method only as a preventive measure, provided that a large amount of soot and soot has not settled in the chimney.

• Chemical (non-mechanical) cleaning. Considering the use for cleaning the stove (chimney) pipe of just such a tool as logs “Chimney sweep”, reviews of which are found at most construction forums, it is worth considering chemical methods in more detail. To apply the chemical properties of substances to dissolve or dry soot in the chimney began many decades ago, with the so-called folk remedies. For example, the most famous life hack invented by our great-grandfathers is burning potato peels. Also, the chimney was often cleaned out by pouring ordinary salt on hot wood. Today, along with folk remedies, a huge number of modern products of chemical laboratories designed to clean chimney flues in a non-mechanical way have appeared in stores. Such products are available in the form of pressed bars (or logs), as well as in the form of dry powder masses. What distinguishes modern methods from modern methods is the need to strictly follow the instructions and observe the dosage, as well as a smaller amount of the substance used at a time.

The chemical chimney cleaner includes the Chimney Sweep log, which is often recommended on construction sites on the Internet. What is this remedy and how should it be used to effectively get rid of soot sediment in the chimney?

Chimney sweep log: what is it

What is a patented tool for non-mechanical chimney sweeping? Its brand name is “Log Chimney Sweep” (reviews on this tool are given below). Outwardly, it is a pressed bar, measuring 25x8x6 cm, wrapped in a protective paper wrapper. Sold in the original packaging containing product information and instructions for the procedure.

The tool is recommended for cleaning stove and chimney pipes of any type, even complex structures, for example, a curved chimney through the wall. The substances that make up the logs, when burning, emit volatile chemicals that enter the chimney along with smoke and hot air and act on the soot layer accumulated therein. As a result of this, the contaminants in the pipe dry out and fall off the walls of the chimney.

Chimney sweep log is intended for fireplaces or stoves on coal or wood raw materials. It is strictly forbidden to use this tool in furnaces equipped with special devices, as well as working on gas or electricity.

Important! Often the question arises as to whether a tool such as Chimney Sweep log can completely replace mechanical cleaning. Reviews of professionals about this tool warn: such cleaning can be only preventive in nature. The use of logs for a long time eliminates the need to contact a specialist who is involved in cleaning the chimney. However, completely refusing mechanical cleaning does not work.

The composition of the “Chimney sweep”

Logs “Chimney sweep” declared by manufacturers as a tool that is safe for humans and pets. As part of artificial logs:

• Coal wax (low content of coal dust).
• Sawdust of natural wood.
• Natural substances: urea and amorphous silica.
• Ammonium sulfate is a substance that, in fact, is a sulfuric acid compound and is actively used for industrial purposes. Including, in order to disinfect water in urban water supply systems.
• Sodium sulfate (anhydrous), another commonly used compound of sulfuric acid (sodium salt). In addition to industrial purposes, this substance is officially a food supplement, and was previously used in pharmacology.
• Substances that may cause concern are phosphorus oxide and zinc chloride: in concentrated form, both are contraindicated for contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes and human skin. Therefore, it is not necessary to pull the log out of the protective paper cover. Better yet, protect yourself with ordinary rubber gloves.

Preparation for the procedure

To ensure safety, before you clean the chimney using logs “Chimney sweep”, you should carry out preparatory steps.

First of all, it is necessary to inspect the chimney to check if the pipe is clogged with extraneous debris. If a blockage is detected in the chimney, the use of logs should be abandoned in favor of a mechanical method of cleaning.

Is it necessary to lay firewood with logs “Chimney sweep”

The use of the “Chimney sweep” means is completely allowed without “support” in the form of coals or wooden firewood. However, hot coals left over from the previous fireplace (stove) stove or dry wood laid before cleaning the chimney with the Chimney Sweep log will greatly enhance the effect of using this product. When cleaning the chimney with logs “Chimney sweep” in combination with firewood (coals), the bar of the product is laid out on top.

Prohibited! Burn more than one log in combination with hot coals.

Instructions for use

How to use the Chimney Sweep log correctly and safely? The instructions are placed on the original packaging of the product:

• Remove the log from the original packaging without unfolding the protective wrapper and put it into the firebox. Set paper wrapper on two sides.
• In the oven to be closed, the door leaves should be covered; in the fireplace, a protective grill should be used.
• Wait until the bar is completely burned (about 90 minutes).
• The remains (ash) of the bar should be left in the fireplace for the entire duration, about 1-2 weeks. During this time, you can use the stove (fireplace) in the usual mode.
• After the procedure, it is recommended to ventilate the room.

Final cleaning step

Giving detailed recommendations on how to use the Chimney Sweep log, the instructions for use contain a detailed description of the mandatory stage of cleaning - removing waste from the elements of a fireplace or wood burning stove.

Thoroughly clean the stove (fireplace) will be required two weeks after the use of the “Chimney sweep” log. During this time, all active substances have time to have the greatest possible effect on deposits in the chimney. Soot, softened by their action, falls down.

At this stage, it is important to remove the fallen soot from the knee of the chimney, chimney fire chamber and other accessible elements of the fireplace (stove), the chimney will need to be examined again. It is especially necessary to clean fireplaces with curved chimney channels, otherwise the remaining soot may clog the chimney.

Tools available to everyone: a vacuum cleaner and a regular fireplace brush, are well suited for removing cleaning waste.

How much money will be required for one cleaning

Another question that may arise in a person who first uses the “Chimney Sweep”: how many logs need to be burned at a time for more efficient cleaning? Manufacturers recommend burning one log for regular cleaning, and two for wide chimneys, but one after the other, and not at the same time. Laying two logs in one burn is allowed for the first cleaning or removal of a large layer of settled dirt. But this should be done carefully, observing all fire safety measures.

How often should be cleaned using logs “Chimney sweep”

It is recommended to carry out the cleaning procedure by the manufacturer of the Chimney Cleaner regularly, at least twice a year. The frequency of cleaning largely depends on the frequency of use of the stove or fireplace. For example, if the fireplace is melted daily once, it is enough to carry out preventive cleaning twice a season, using one bar each time. If the fireplace (stove) is not heated more often than once a week, one log for the heating season is enough.

Reviews about the chimney cleaner

Of course, no matter what is said on the official website from the manufacturer, it would be reasonable to listen to the opinion of homeowners who have actually tested this chemical agent. What do the reviews on the repair and construction forums say about the effectiveness of the Log Log Chimney Sweep cleaner?

• According to the experience of homeowners cleaning the chimney with this tool, it makes sense to inspect the pipe for damage or cracks before the procedure. The soot burn-out temperature when using chemical logs is so high that it can be a danger of destruction for a faulty chimney.
• After burning in the room for several days, an unpleasant chemical smell is kept.
• If the pipe (chimney) is heavily contaminated with soot, a log will not help. Specialists recommend mechanical cleaning at least 1-2 times a year. In a chimney, in which soot has accumulated for several years, logs can give the exact opposite effect: the dirt will fall off and clog the chimney.
• There is an opinion that the Chimney Sweep log does not differ in effectiveness from peeling potatoes. The only difference is that where one bar is enough, you will have to burn at least half a bucket of potato waste.
• Sometimes specialists professionally involved in cleaning chimneys warn of the danger of acquiring a fake of this fairly well-known tool. From the use of "falsification" in the best case there simply will not be the proper effect, in the worst - the substances from which the "fake log" is made can have a harmful effect on the health of the homeowner. You should focus on the availability of a certificate from a store that implements the “Chimney sweep” log.