Chimney ventilation

Pretty much anyone can do the task of cleaning a chimney cap. The chimney cap protects the flues from birds, squirrels, debris and water but also helps with ventilation, preventing the formation of any foul smoky smell at the stove or fireplace. You can hire a professional to do the job for you but it will be much more inexpensive if you climb on the house yourself and do the job.

Tools and Materials

  • Ladder
  • Wrench
  • Detergent
  • Rag
  • Stiff Brush
  • Vinegar
  • Cloth
  • A mixture of water, coffee, and white vinegar
  • Rubber gloves
  • Hose
  • Brush
  • Baking soda

Stainless and galvanized steel chimney caps

You need to follow these steps:

  • Use a steady placed ladder to climb onto the roof;
  • Use a wrench to unscrew any nuts that hold the cap in place and remove it;
  • Use a rag soaked in a mixture of water and detergent, clean the chimney cap;
  • Use a stiff brush to rub the cap and get rid of any soot stains;
  • Use a piece of cloth soaked in vinegar or club soda to scrub away any stains made by burnt coal. If that doesn’t give good results use a cleaning substance like lacquer thinner or stainless steel polishing solution.

Copper chimney caps

If the chimney caps are made of copper you must follow these steps:

  • Mix a teaspoon of salt, a coffee cup of white vinegar and then add some flower. It should form a paste.
  • Apply the paste on the chimney wearing rubber gloves. You may need some more mixture if the cap is large. Leave the solution on for one hour and then wash it with water and dry it with a cotton rag.
  • Apply vinegar to the chimney cap, sprinkle salt on top of it and then use a dry cloth to rub it. After that, wash it all away with water and dry it with a cloth or a cotton rag.

Clay chimney caps

Chimney caps made of clay must be saturated with water and then, using a brush and some baking soda, scrubbed and cleaned. If you don’t have any baking soda, a mixture of 1 part bleach 9 parts water will do. After that, wash the cap and let it dry. Be careful when handling the cap so you don’t crack or break it.

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