Causes of contamination of chimneys and methods of making brushes for cleaning them. Brush for cleaning a chimney with a convenient immersion device Plastic brush for cleaning pipes

Chimney cleaning

Regular cleaning of the chimney is necessary even for expensive and modern modules. Soot tends to accumulate, this happens even when burning with the best firewood. Combustion products are so small that they can accumulate even on a perfectly smooth surface.
The chimney can be easily cleaned with your own hands using a brush. To clean the chimney it is not necessary to have special education or have outstanding knowledge in this field. The only thing you have to work on is the process of creating a brush for cleaning.

It is known that without understanding the causes, it is quite difficult to solve a problem. So, in the process of burning wood, two types of waste are released: gas and smoke. There are two types of smoke: white and black. White smoke comes from water vapor in wood, while black smoke comes from coal, soot and creosote. Black smoke causes soot to form inside the chimney. Practice has shown that chimneys built by yourself accumulate soot better than those built by professionals.

What happens if you refuse to clean the chimney? First, soot will begin to accumulate. The accumulation process will continue until it becomes difficult for the smoke (gaseous substance) to squeeze through the pipe into the atmosphere. In this condition, the draft in the chimney and, accordingly, the quality of heating the house are disrupted. If the pipe is severely clogged, there are two types of events: the metal pipe will deteriorate (at best) or the soot residue will catch fire (at worst).

Chimney contamination

Over the long period of operation of fireplaces and stoves, humanity has accumulated enough experience to combat soot in pipes. Most devices are no different complex design and they can be done with your own hands.

The brush is the most proven, and, oddly enough, one of the most effective ways clean the pipe.
Peeling potato peels ( old-fashioned method). This method is quite simple: you need to pour half a bucket of potato peels into the chimney and turn on heating device. When heated, the potatoes will begin to release starch, which decomposes the soot.
Aspen firewood is a simple and dangerous method. For cleansing metal pipe you will need aspen logs. Place them in the stove and light the logs. After a while you will hear a strange hum, this means that the soot in the chimney has caught fire and after a while the metal pipe will clean itself. When using this cleaning method, you endanger the roof and neighboring buildings - hot particles can accidentally fly onto the insulating layer and lead to a fire.
Aluminum cans. Simply burn aluminum cans while firing the stove. Aluminum particles have the same charge as soot. As a result, black smoke will not settle on the protected metal pipe.
Dry cleaning is the most unpopular and unpleasant process. After dry cleaning, the soot partially peels off. This process is accompanied unpleasant smell and the formation of soot, which settles on interior items.

Making a chimney brush yourself

A budget brush for cleaning a chimney can be easily made with your own hands. To make it, follow the instructions below:

Go to the market and buy a synthetic round broom, a metal cable the same length as the chimney, two clamps, a pin (8 mm thread) and a few washers.
Unfold the bristles on a synthetic round broom so that they resemble a bouquet. Keep in mind that the villi may not immediately respond to your efforts. To soften the lint, you can place it in boiling water for a few minutes.
The straightened brush is put aside with your own hands. We take the ear and screw a hairpin onto it from both ends. Next you will need a brush for cleaning the chimney and a washer that is attached to the bottom of the brush.
If the diameter of the brush does not suit you, you can tighten the washer more. The more it curls, the more the villi straighten to the sides. Once you have decided that the brush has the desired diameter, proceed to the next step.
Press down on the base from above and slowly screw on the second fastener.
The brush turns over. At the bottom you will see the mounting ear. You need to tighten it exactly as much as you want to increase or decrease the diameter of the brush.
Look for a staple or make your own using steel wire. It is necessary to secure the cable to the brush. Before installing the cable, you need to measure the length of the chimney. After that from metal cable a part of the required length is cut off and attached to the workpiece. Remember that the brush also has its own length, so do not forget to take this factor into account when making brushes with your own hands.
All that remains is to attach a metal weight to the device (2 kg will be enough).

Brush for cleaning chimneys

Chimney cleaning rules

It's time to try out your homemade contraption. Before cleaning the chimney from the stove, it is necessary to remove any remaining firewood and other flammable materials. We climb onto the roof and remove the damper from the chimney, holding the homemade device tightly in our hand.

Slowly lower the brush into the chimney. As soon as you feel that the brush has completely sunk to the very bottom, lift it towards you as high as possible. The down and up movements must be repeated for several minutes.

After cleaning the metal pipe, you need to remove fallen soot from the fireplace. This is done with a regular broom. The brush is washed with warm water and set to dry. After cleaning procedures, the stove must be heated for several hours. Don’t worry about the broken draft; it should stabilize after a few minutes of operation of the heating device.

Video: How to clean a chimney? the most effective way

Furnace heating systems need regular care. One of the mandatory procedures is periodic cleaning of the chimney, which becomes clogged over time and becomes overgrown with soot.

For this task, a special brush can be used to clean the internal walls of the chimney.

What is a cleaning brush, what does it look like and what does it consist of?

Structurally, the brush consists of the following parts:

Brush. ABOUT main elementalmost always has round shape He's the one withcleans plaque from the internal walls of chimneys.Can be made of metal, plastic or nylon.
Sinker. Only used if the brush is attached to a cable. If it is attached to a telescopic pole, then a weight is not needed.The approximate weight of the weight is 2-3 kg.Its purpose is to add weight to a light brush. Without additional weight, a brush on a cable simply will not properly clean off even a light layer of plaque.
T rose or pen. A brush is attached to this element, and on it it is lowered into the chimney.

Of the main quality characteristics can be distinguished:

D length of the cable (handle).Cables are usually used 10-15 meters long, handles 1-1.5 meters long.
Brush diameter ( rectangular products occur, but less frequently than round ones).Can be from 20 to 250 mm.The most common range is 150-200.

Types and products by material and type of design

ABOUT The main differences between all products are 2 nuances:

The material from which the brush is made.
The method by which the brush will be lowered into the chimney.

By material- the following options are currently used:

Metal. These brushes last longer, are more durable and reliable. The disadvantages include less convenient use: if the metal bristles get caught on something, it will be more difficult to “free” it. In addition, metal products are more expensive than plastic ones (but since the cost of any brushes rarely exceeds 2000 rubles, this is not critical).
Plastic. It is easier to make such products yourself - it is done quickly and easily (we will describe how exactly below). Plastic brushes wear out and break easily and quickly. In addition, they cope much worse with complex and old blockages.
Nylon. Relatively new option, in fact, an intermediate solution between plastic and metal.

By method, with which the brush is lowered into chimney:

On a cable/rope. Can only be used from above - the brush is lowered into the pipe under the weight of the sinker. The option is relatively simple, but Badly Suitable for cleaning horizontal areas.The cable can be metal, nylon or rope.
On a flexible cable (as for cleaning sewer pipes). Pros: can be used both from above and below, and on horizontal areas.
On a rigid handle (rod).Universal and more effective option- allows you to quickly clear accumulated soot, can be used in both vertical and horizontal areas.The length of the handle is usually adjustable - for this they are made telescopic, and if necessaryfolded or unfolded.

How to choose the right chimney brush?

Let's summarize the basic selection rules:

Rigid handle or cable? Ideally, you should have both options on your farm: they are inexpensive, and it will be much more convenient to work.If you need to choose one thing, and there are no hatches in the chimney, then it is better to take a cable. If the chimney has hatches and is not high, then it is more convenient to use a rigid handle.
Which brush material should you choose? For stainless chimneys, you need to choose only plastic - it will not scratch the stainless steel. For brick and asbestos chimneys, it is better to use a metal or nylon brush.
What diameter should the brush be?for round chimney? Selected according to the pipe diameter.
What brush diameter should be for a square/rectangular chimney? For the right choice you need to measure the length and width of the chimney, and select a brush with a diameter equal to the larger side.
What should be the length of the cable/handle? Selectedto the length (height) of the chimney. It is not necessary to take the cable/handle to its full height: cleaning is carried out not only from above or below (from the fireplace or stove), but also through hatches located on different areas chimney.

Where is it sold and how much does it cost?

E rshiki various types and sizes are sold in stores that sell equipment for fireplaces, stoves, and baths.

A tool like this is relatively inexpensive:

polypropylene brush, diameter 100-120-200 mm: cost - about 700-1000 rubles;
plastic brush, diameter 200-250 mm: cost - about 1700-2000 rubles;
metal brush, diameter 150-200 mm: cost - about 1500-1800 rubles;
metal brush, 250 mm in diameter: cost - about 2200-2500 rubles.

Please note: the amounts given are only for the brush itself and the load. The cable or telescopic extension is usually sold separately. The approximate cost of an extension cord for 1-1.5 meters is about 400-600 rubles, a cable (for 10-15 meters) is up to 100-200 rubles.

A ready-made kit (the brush itself, a cable or extension cord and a weight) will cost around 1500-2500 rubles.

Among the manufacturers on the market of the CIS countries you can find:

Hansa.
Sitecn.
Biltema.
Ragar.

How to make a homemade brush?

To clean the stove pipe, you don’t have to go to the nearest store. A homemade brush is quite simple and quick to make. True, the effectiveness of such a product will most likely be lower than a special purchased one. Therefore, it is suitable for cleaning a not very dirty chimney.

There are many ways to create a ruff with your own hands. Below we provide 5 step-by-step instructions:

From a plastic bottle for a round chimney.
From a plastic bottle and plywood/board for a rectangular/square chimney.
From a broom.
From a metal brush from an angle grinder.
Made of metal cable.

In all cases we will need:

Metal cable (about 2-3 mm thick, longer or at least as long as the height of the chimney) with a carbine.
A weight weighing about 3 kg - such a size that it can easily pass into the chimney. For example, it could be a small metal rectangle, or an old dumbbell plate, or a plastic bottle with sand.
A roll of wire, about 2-4 mm in diameter, or metal pin(length about 10-12 cm, diameter about 5 mm), with unscrewing eyes on both sides.
A product from which we will make a brush with our own hands.

Problematic point: on the farm there is a bottle, and a wire, and something for the load, and the rope can be purchased at the nearest store if you don’t have it at home. But finding a suitable hairpin will be more difficult. Therefore, it is easier to take wire instead. It will need to be twisted several times to get a rope 5-7 mm thick and 10-12 cm long (that is, used instead of a hairpin).

From a plastic bottle for a round chimney

In this case, we will make a brush from an empty plastic bottle with a volume of 1.5-2 liters (suitable for cleaning a chimney with a diameter of up to 200 mm).

Step-by-step instruction:

A hole is burned, drilled or punched in the lid and bottom of both bottles. Its diameter should be equal to the diameter of the stud.
The sides of both bottles are cut through. It is necessary to make slits not reaching the neck and literally 1-2 cm to the bottom. Between each slot, make a distance of approximately 1.5-2 cm.
A pin is inserted into the holes made, “pulling” the 2 parts of the bottle together. The cut sides are bent, forming a circle of bent ribbons. It is their edges that will remove soot from the walls.
Eyelets are screwed onto both sides of the stud. The cable is attached to the upper eyelet. On the bottom there is a load.

From a plastic bottle for a round chimney (video)

From a plastic bottle for rectangular/square chimney

The instructions are suitable for those who have a square or rectangular chimney.

To create a brush for such a ruff we will need:

Sheet of plywood. Plywood that is not very thick will do; a small sheet 6-12 mm thick will be enough.
Plastic bottle, volume from 5 liters.
Screws (such that they can fasten both pieces of plywood together) - 5-10 pieces.

Cut plastic protrudes between the plywood sheets, this is not very clearly visible in the photo

Step-by-step instruction:

You need to cut 2 identical sheets out of plywood, 1-2 cm smaller in size than the size of the chimney. Example: a rectangular hole with a size of 260x130 mm - we cut out 2 pieces of plywood with a size of 240x120 mm.
The neck and bottom of the bottle are cut off, after which a cut is made on the side.
The plastic is unbent (a rectangular sheet is obtained).
A piece is cut out of a bent plastic sheet, 3-6 mm larger than the chimney opening. Example: the chimney hole has a size of 260x130 mm, we cut out sheet 26 from plastic 5x135 mm.
Along the perimeter of the plastic sheet, using scissors (or a knife) with a distance of 1-1.5 cm, makecuts 5-10 mm long. It is these narrow parts that will remove plaque from the walls.
P the eraser sheet is placed between 2 cut pieces of plywood - so that the “bristles” stick outat the same distance on each side.
Pieces of plywood and a plastic sheet between them are bolted together.
A hole is drilled in the center into which a pin or coil of wire is inserted.(or any Another part on which the cable and weight can be attached - it’s easier to do this with plywood).

This option can be improved. To do this, you need to cut not 2 pieces of plywood, but 3, and 2 sheets of plastic with small cuts. In this case, we will have 2 layers of “bristles” (and 3 layers of plywood).

From the broom

WITH You can make a brush from an old broom. Important nuance: A round broom with synthetic (polypropylene) dense bristles is suitable for us.

Step-by-step instruction:

The broom tip is removed (or cut off).
The bristles are straightened so that all the fibers stick out in different directions (like a toilet brush).
In the part where the bristles are collected, a hole with a diameter of about 5-7 mm is melted or drilled (for a hairpin or wire).
A pin with unscrewed eyes (or twisted wire) is inserted into the hole.
A cable was attached to the eyes (or to the wire) on one side, and a weight on the other.

From a metal brush for an angle grinder

IN This option is suitable if you have a disc brush for an angle grinder lying around, and its diameter matches the chimney.

In this case, a load is attached to one end of the axle, and a cable to the other.

From a metal cable (complex option)

The instructions are suitable for those who have a welding machine. Using this scheme, you can make a fairly effective brush with your own hands that will not yield

To create a brush you will need:

Metal cable, about 10-15 mm in diameter.
Welding machine.
Saw for metal.
Pliers.
Wire cutters (optional).
A threaded stud, about 8-12 cm long (or better yet, a fully threaded bolt, 8-12 cm long).
Nuts for a stud (or bolt), 5-7 pieces or more (depending on how dense the bristles need to be obtained).

Step-by-step instruction:

2-5 pieces are cut from the metal cable. The length of each piece is approximately 5-10 mm longer than the diameter of the chimney. You can take more, and then, if necessary, trim off the excess with pliers.
The scraps are unraveled with pliers.
A nut is screwed onto one end of the stud (so that the thread protrudes slightly from it). This will be the bottom “support” for the first row of bristles. If you use a bolt, there is no need to screw on the nut: the head will play the role of “support”.
A piece of wire (from an unbraided cable) is placed on top of the nut and twisted crosswise (so that it wraps around the pin). The pieces of wire should protrude
More pieces of wire are taken and wound in the same way so that the result is a round layer of bristles. An important nuance: the bristles should stick out evenly, forming an even circle.
A nut is screwed on top and the twisted wire (brush bristles) is tightly pressed to the first nut (or bolt head).
Several more layers of bristles are made in the same way. Each subsequent layer is secured with a nut. It will be enough to make 3-4 rows.
Eyelets are welded at the bottom and top - to secure the load and the cable, for which the brush will be lowered into the pipe. As an option, they can also be mounted on a thread.

From a metal cable (video)

What you need to know and do before starting cleaning: Basic Rules

Before you start working, you need to know (and follow) the basic rules:

Cleaning is carried out before the heating season (ideally before each one, at least for the purpose of prevention). This way you can prepare the stove pipe for efficient work, and you will be sure that there will be no blockages, leaves, debris, soot build-up or bird nests.
The work is best carried out on a windless and dry (and ideally also warm) day. Therefore, at the beginning of autumn it is worth paying attention to the forecast when choosing a suitable date for cleaning.
Work on the roof must be carried out with safety harness (safety belt) and comfortable non-slip shoes.
Prepare a more powerful flashlight - with its help you can see the condition of the chimney and the results of your work.
For work, it is better to change into closed clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Even with the most careful cleaning, soot will still end up somewhere.
Use eye and respiratory protection: wear goggles and a respirator. Naturally, from soot great harm it won’t, but sneezing or rinsing your eyes with it is not very pleasant.
Since all the debris and soot will fly down, all the openings on the chimney (hatches), as well as the firebox, must be closed. If you are cleaning a fireplace with an open firebox, it should be covered with plastic wrap.
The cleaning process is carried out from top to bottom. If you clean the bottom part of the chimney first (through the firebox), then when cleaning the top part, falling debris can again contaminate the already clean bottom.

How to properly clean a chimney with a brush: step-by-step instructions

Cleaning the chimney with a brush is carried out as follows:

Wear special clothing, work shoes, gloves, goggles, and a respirator.
Before starting work, you can look into the chimney by illuminating it with a flashlight. This way you can assess its condition in advance and see where it is heavily contaminated.
All chimney hatches and the firebox are closed, except for the hole through which cleaning will be carried out.
The deflector (or spark arrestor), if any, is dismantled.
The brush (it does not matter whether it is on a cable or on a handle) is lowered from above, through the outlet of the chimney. Cleaning is done using up and down movements. If there are blockages in the process, it is better to use a weight on a cable (without a brush).
Periodically evaluate the result of the work by looking into the pipe.
When top part the pipe will be clean - go below to the hatch and work through it.
Upon completion of cleaning, the firebox is opened and the debris poured into it is removed.

Ideally, it is worth combining two cleaning methods: mechanical and chemical. First, clean the chimney with a brush, and then use any of the means that are set on fire in the firebox.

Cleaning process (video)

Advantages and disadvantages of use compared to other cleaning methods

If we consider existing methods of cleaning a chimney and compare them with using a brush, then this option has a number of disadvantages:

with a brush you have to work independently, while chemical cleaners only need to be set on fire in the firebox;
even the most careful work does not guarantee that all deposits will be removed;
the work takes quite a long time, even if the chimney is straight and low;
the work is inconvenient, unpleasant, physically difficult, and if you have to work on the roof, it is also dangerous;
It is safe to clean only in dry (and ideally calm and warm) weather to reduce the risk of falling from the roof.

Stove heating not only does not lose ground, but is also experiencing its rebirth. For this reason questions correct operation and maintenance of solid fuel units is no less acute than several centuries ago. Owners of private households do not have any difficulties with how to light a stove and what kind of firewood is best to use. Problems begin when the draft disappears and smoke begins to flow into the room. And the whole reason is a smoke duct clogged with soot and soot. It is difficult to find a chimney sweep today, so you will have to carry out the maintenance of the chimney yourself. All you need for this is a chimney brush, which you can make yourself.

What causes clogged chimney pipes?

Such advantages stove heating, as efficiency, autonomy and the ability to create a special, homely atmosphere, cannot be surpassed by any modern heating device. Thanks to this, stoves and fireplaces are still widely used in both rural areas and cities. However, the use solid fuel has many disadvantages, one of which is the need to regularly clean the smoke channels. But the frequency of their maintenance can be significantly reduced if you know where so much soot and soot comes from.

Deposits in the chimney can completely block the smoke exit channel

So, the main factors that contribute to chimney clogging are:

burning of waste, which consists of high-carbon materials (all types of plastic, polyethylene, polystyrene foam, cardboard, etc.);
use of wet firewood;
violation of operating hours heating device;
burning wood that contains a large number of resins (pine, spruce, fir, etc.);
ash is rarely removed from the working chambers of the furnace;
violation of the fuel supply mode;
ingress of third-party debris.

In addition, rapid contamination of the chimney can be caused by increased roughness of the walls of the flues and their incorrect configuration. For this reason, it is better to entrust the construction of the furnace to an experienced master.

Dangers of soot accumulation

It is impossible not to notice problems with the chimney. Most often they will be indicated by the following signs:

craving decreases;
firewood does not light well when kindled;
smoke is coming into the room;
reduction in the thermal efficiency of the furnace.

All these factors indicate that the gas duct is so clogged that only a narrow hole remains for the combustion products to escape. Using a heating device in such conditions is prohibited, as this often leads to tragic consequences:

Chimney cleaning equipment

Deposits can be removed from the chimney using chemical and mechanical methods. The first involves burning substances in a furnace, the combustion products of which soften soot deposits and promote their combustion and removal naturally. The second is to remove soot from the walls of the chimney using various scrapers, brushes, etc.

Chemicals to clean the chimney, you can do without mechanical devices but have enough high cost

Practice shows that mechanical cleaning is best done with a hard brush, like the one used for washing dishes with a narrow neck. A wide variety of materials are suitable for the manufacture of such a tool:

steel rope;
plastic bottles;
pieces of steel wire;
thick fishing line or plastic rods;
springs;
thick rubber;
metal chain or strong rope;
various weights and sinkers.

The choice of a particular material for making a brush for cleaning chimneys depends on how persistent soot deposits will have to be removed. For regularly maintained chimneys made of steel or asbestos cement pipes a tool with soft bristles is suitable, while brick flues with many years of soot deposits can only be cleaned with a metal wire brush. It is best to have in your arsenal several devices of varying degrees of rigidity or make one combined tool.

How to make a stove maker's tool

Before you start making a device for removing soot deposits, you need to consider its design and dimensions. In this case, it is necessary to take into account:

length of the chimney;
flue diameter;
quantity and persistence of deposits.

Based on the input data, conclusions are drawn about the length of the cable, the mass of the load, the size of the brush and its rigidity.

Design of a device for removing soot mechanically

The length of the rope or cable used to hold the brush is taken with a margin of 2–2.5 meters. This will allow you to hold the device more firmly in your hands, and, if necessary, make a loop around the chimney so as not to drop the tool into the chimney. Any weight can be used as a weight - from a specially cast lead blank to some heavy nut or a worn-out automobile part.

Making a plastic brush

A budget brush for removing soot from a chimney can easily be made from available materials. To make a plastic brush you will need:

broom made of polypropylene rods;
plumbing cable required length;
metal pin with a diameter of 8 mm with an eye;
nut with a diameter of 8 mm with an eye;
washer with a diameter of at least 50 mm with a hole of 8 mm;
2 carbines;
load 0.5–2 kg.

If you can't find a stud and lug nut, don't despair - a regular bolt will do. Loops for attaching the cable and load can be made of steel wire.

Materials needed to make a plastic chimney brush

The diameter of the brush made of plastic elements should be slightly larger than the cross-section of the smoke channel. This will provide increased pressure on the individual rods on the walls of the chimney and increase the cleaning speed.

The work is performed in the following order:

The stem of a synthetic broom is cut off or unscrewed - it will not be needed in the future. To make it more convenient to work, the remaining part is clamped in a vice.
The bristles of the round broom are bent to the sides. To make the material more pliable, the brush is dipped in boiling water or heated construction hairdryer.

The rods of the plastic broom must be straightened
If there is no hole inside the holder, then drilling with a diameter of 8 mm should be made.
On the side where the handle is attached, a steel pin with an eye is inserted into the hole.

The hairpin allows you to fix the bristles in the desired position
From the side of the rods, install a washer on the stud and press it with an eyelet nut.

The eyelet nut allows you not only to fix the rods of the brush, but also to attach a load and a cable to it
The rods are cut based on the diameter of the chimney.

Excessively long rods should be trimmed
A loop is made on one side of the cable, securing the metal edge with a knitting wire.
Using carabiners, a cable is attached to one eye and a load to the other.

You can make a chimney brush yourself

In addition to a synthetic broom, good materials for making a soft brush are plastic containers from sparkling water. To make a “lush” brush, you will need 5–6 such vessels and sharp knife. It is necessary to cut off the bottom of all bottles and dissolve the walls into strips ranging from 3 to 10 mm wide. After this, the neck of all containers, except one, is cut off, leaving a hole slightly larger than the diameter of the neck. Assembly in single design performed by placing the parts on the remaining threaded part and securing them with a lid. After this, drilling is done for the pin and the brush is attached to the cable and weight in the manner described above.

To make the bristles from a plastic bottle more rigid, they are heated with a torch or a hair dryer. The same method can be used to give the brush the desired shape.

How to make a metal brush

To make a cleaning tool from metal, you can use pieces of steel wire (cable) or use a wire brush for an angle grinder. In the latter case, the angle grinder device is simply mounted on a cable with a load and secured with wire. If using a working tool for purposes other than its intended purpose is unacceptable to you, then you can make a metal brush with your own hands. For this you will need:

The technology for making a metal brush is not complicated:

The simplicity of this method makes it extremely popular among home craftsmen. And at the same time, there is another very interesting tool, which simultaneously combines a brush for removing soot and a load. In addition to the tools and materials described above, for its manufacture you will need:

steel pipe with a diameter of more than 50 mm;
electric drill;
high carbon steel core;
a metal drill whose diameter corresponds to the cross-section of the wire or cable;
sand-cement mortar.

To make a brush, in exactly the same way as in the previous case, prepare required amount flexible elements. Then proceed like this:

In the walls steel pipe make through holes. The density and uniformity of the bristles depends on the accuracy of this work and the step between drillings, so this stage should be treated as responsibly as possible.
Wire elements are threaded into the holes, placing their edges symmetrically with respect to the pipe.
A steel bar is installed in the center, to which the holding cable will later be attached.
The inner surface of the pipe is filled mortar, which will ensure the fixation of flexible elements and make the device quite heavy.

The tool can only be used after cement-sand mixture will grab and acquire the necessary strength.

Video: how to make a brush to remove soot from a chimney

What you need to know before lowering the tool down the chimney

Chimney should not be cleaned at the end heating season, and at the very beginning. This will allow you to have complete confidence that there is no bird's nest, cobwebs, leaves or other debris in the chimney. The best time for this is one of the warm and windless days in early autumn.

When cleaning a chimney, you should take care of the appropriate equipment and insurance.

Before you change into a chimney sweep suit and begin maintenance chimney, it is necessary to close all dampers and oven doors. Soot is tiny particles that can seep into any cracks and pollute the room and objects that are in it. If you have to service the chimney of a fireplace with an open firebox, then it is sealed using plastic film and tape.

The process of cleaning a chimney is not difficult. The brush is lowered repeatedly into the smoke channel, knocking deposits off the walls. To enhance the effect, alternate reciprocating movements with twisting the cable in different directions. The soot falls down. You can remove it via inspection hatch, using a dustpan, poker and broom.

There are situations when a device encounters an insurmountable obstacle halfway through its journey. This can be any voluminous object - some kind of rag, a bird's nest, or a piece of brick that has fallen out of the masonry. In this case, the brush is unfastened and the resulting jam is knocked out with just a weight, in the expectation that the cork will fall into the stove. After this, the brush is returned to its place and cleaning activities are resumed.

Regular soot removal will be required even where the latest, high-tech solid fuel equipment is used. The brush, which you can make with your own hands, will cope with even the most stubborn deposits with dignity. It is just important not to put off the work of cleaning the chimney indefinitely - not only the thermal efficiency and economy of the stove, but also the safety of your family depends on this.

Good day to you, readers and DIYers.
The author of the following homemade product very often clogs the chimney in his garage stove. That's why he decided to make a homemade brush for cleaning the chimney. Of course, such brushes can be purchased at a hardware store or bought online, but why buy something that you can relatively easily make with your own hands. And the price tag of such a homemade product will be tens of times less than a device purchased in a store.

After using his homemade product for some time, identifying all the pros and cons, he came up with a device for more convenient chimney cleaning.

I suggest you read about production in this article.

Necessary materials and tools.
-Dumbbell
-Cable - length 0.5-0.6 meters (diameter 5mm)
-Cable length depends on the height of the air duct (diameter 2mm)
-Nuts M10 2pcs
-Cable clamps 3 pcs.
-Profile pipe 20x20mm
-welding electrode 3mm
-Welding machine
-Bulgarian
-Hammer
-Vise

Manufacturing process part one.
The brush device itself will be based on an old rusty dumbbell, which was purchased at the nearest scrap metal collection point at a very reasonable price. The author uses a dumbbell with a total weight of 5 kg; the diameter of the dumbbell balls should be less than the diameter of the pipe being cleaned. For the device, you only need one half of a dumbbell, so you can make two brushes at once from one dumbbell.

First of all, clamp the dumbbell in a vice and cut off one ball of the dumbbell with a grinder.

An M10 nut is welded to the cut part of the dumbbell, and the brush load is ready, isn’t it easy?

Now you should start making the brush itself.
To do this, he will use a piece of cable with a diameter of 5mm. The cable can also be used with large diameter, since the thicker the cable, the thicker and stronger the veins in it.

The author cuts the cable into 10cm pieces. The length of the sections must match the diameter of the chimney pipe.

Now the chopped pieces need to be dissolved into individual fibers. It is better to carry out this procedure with gloves, as the likelihood of injuring your hands is very high.

The cable is loose, now you need to make a frame for the brush.
A 3mm electrode will be used for the frame.
The coating from the electrode is beaten with a hammer.

Since the electrode core is made of fairly stiff wire, it bends and breaks poorly. To soften the wire, you need to heat it until red and let it cool, in other words, let it go. You can warm it in the coals, they sang, gas burner, but the author will warm with welding machine.

We clamp the electrode in a vice to which the mass of the welding machine is connected. We connect the clamp from the welding machine to the free end of the electrode and heat the wire until red. The heating procedure lasts about 15-20 seconds. Now you should let the wire cool on its own.

After cooling, the wire became soft, and now you can continue working with it. The author bends the wire in the center, at the point of bending there should be a small eyelet.

Now you need to place the previously prepared cable fibers into this bracket. You should get a similar structure, the edge of which must then be clamped in a vice, moving 2 cm away from the edge.

Then, inserting a large nail or screwdriver into the eyelet, you need to tighten this structure.

Then you need to make another ear, with opposite side brush. To do this, clamp a nail between the two ends of the wire, clamp the ends in a vice and tighten the structure with the inserted nail.

The result was a pretty decent brush with a diameter of 100mm with two rings at the ends.

Now you need to connect the brush with the load. Connects them using a small piece of cable (diameter 2mm). The ends of the cable are clamped using a screw clamp.

You also need to attach a cable to the second eye of the brush. The length of the cable should be 2-2.5 times longer than the height of the chimney pipe.
This is the kind of brush the author came up with, and he ran off to test his product to celebrate.

And here is a deposit of soot in the chimney pipe.

Now you should install a ladder, climb along it to the top of the chimney and begin this labor-intensive, inconvenient and, one might say, dangerous cleaning process. Hard? Hard.

Realizing that this method of cleaning the chimney is, to put it mildly, inconvenient, I came up with another device. This is a device for immersing a brush into a chimney.

The manufacturing process part two.
It’s very difficult to call it a manufacturing process, but still. To make the device, the author bought profile pipe 20x20mm, 3.5 m long. Of course, the length of the pipe should depend on the height and location of your chimney.

A piece of pipe bent into a half ring was welded onto the edge of the pipe; the tube has a diameter of 10 mm. A cable with a brush connected was passed inside the pipe.

At first the author wanted to make a release mechanism using rollers, but he was unable to weld them. And the design itself would be too complex and unreliable.

Even lower, a kind of hook was welded onto the pipe. The hook must be welded lower than Bottom part brush in a raised position.

Living in a private home means having necessary tools, which must be at hand at any time to carry out repair work. Especially when it comes to such an issue as the removal of waste gases from stove or gas heating.

Causes of clogged chimneys

The main cause of clogging is the deposition of soot and soot on the inner walls of the pipe. Soot is formed from combustion products - waste flue gases. As a result, the traction becomes weaker, exhaust ventilation starts to work poorly, combustion products are not removed outside, but remain indoors, which can lead to poisoning of the body.

Untimely maintenance of the chimney pipe can lead not only to its complete blockage, but also to failure of the home smoke removal system

To avoid this, it is recommended to clean the chimney pipe at least once every six months - and this applies not only to stove heating, but also country houses with a fireplace inside. You can entrust the cleaning to professionals, or you can try to remove the soot on your own. To do this, you will need a very ordinary brush for cleaning chimneys, which you can make yourself.

How is the brush used?

Its function is to scrape off soot build-up from the walls of the chimney pipe. The principle of operation of any brush is quite simple: the scraper is inserted into the chimney opening, then deposits are scraped off with its help - combustion products are swept down to the hatch to collect contaminants.

When cleaning work on the roof it is necessary to use insurance

The simplest stove brush is a structure made of a cable (or rod), brushes and a suspension (or weight). A suspension is required only in cases where vertical pipe cleaning is intended - to adjust the gravity of the cleaning element. For work in a horizontal position, the sinker suspension may not be used.

A long rod with bristles at the end is simplest design brush

The technology for using a brush in general terms is as follows:

As weights, you can use ordinary weights that are compact in size and have sufficient weight for cleaning.

Materials for the brush

Cleaning brushes can be made of steel or plastic, and you can make both with your own hands.

Table: advantages and disadvantages of metal and plastic brushes

Neither material can be used simultaneously for vertical and horizontal method cleaning deposits. Therefore, experts recommend using both metal and plastic brushes for both methods, respectively.

Making your own brush for cleaning the chimney

Two options are being considered: metal (metal rod) and plastic, each of which has its own nuances.

Made of plastic

The set of necessary tools and materials includes:

steel cable (the length of which must be greater than the length of the chimney);
pair plastic bottles with lids with a volume of 1 to 2 l;
steel wire with a cross section of 1–2 mm;
load - it is recommended to select a load of such mass that it would easily pass into the chimney opening when suspended from a cable.

Manufacturing technology

Remove the bottom of plastic bottles.
Cut the walls of the bottles vertically up to the neck from the bottom into strips like Chinese lanterns. The width of one strip is 3–5 mm.
Punch a hole in the covers, the size is the same as the diameter of the cable.
String the resulting caps with holes onto a cable, and screw the bottles cut into slices onto them. The cut bottles are inserted into one another with the caps in one direction and open in the manner of a hedgehog. For secure fastening homemade brush The lid is fixed to the bottom with a self-tapping screw.
The free end of the cable can be attached to a large handle - one that will be convenient to operate in the chimney.

Step-by-step images will help you make your own light brush for cleaning the chimney; the brush is attached not to the lids, but with a wire

The tool is ready, now you can begin the cleaning procedure.

Made of metal

Some owners of private houses use disc brushes for grinders as cleaning tools. This method is much simpler - you don’t need to make the brush itself, you just need to secure the load well to the cable.

However, this option is not suitable for those who use an angle grinder constantly. In this case, you can try to make a metal brush yourself.

For it you will need:

a coil of steel wire;
a large bolt for the rod and a washer for fixing the brush;
pliers.

Manufacturing technology

Making a metal brush is even simpler than a plastic one, and consists of the following:

First, a coil of wire is taken and unwound (or uncoiled) into individual threads.
The rolled wire is cut into equal pieces
Steel threads are cut into equal lengths. The length of one segment should be such that the future brush fits into the chimney hole.
For good cleaning, it is required that the brush occupies at least 80% of the internal volume of the chimney
The wire is wound onto the bolt and secured with washers. The wire sections are wound along almost the entire length of the bolt.
The open end of the bolt is designed to attach a cable of the required length to it

During manufacturing, it is advisable to take into account the following points:

It will be better if several brushes are used to clean the chimney. So, the average diameter should be 80–120% of the internal diameter of the chimney pipe. In the first case, it will be convenient to use a brush to break through thick layers of growths and deposits, in the second - to scrape off small dirt.
The size of the load can be within 0.3 - 0.35 of the chimney diameter. This value is average; loads with this diameter are well suited for both punching and cleaning work.
The length of the cable should be 10–15% greater than the length of the chimney. This is necessary so that if solid deposits break through the walls of the pipe, the cable passes to the hatch, collecting all contaminants along its path.

Video: how to quickly make a brush for cleaning a chimney with your own hands

A chimney brush is a tool needed in every home. With its help, the condition of the walls of the chimney pipe is significantly improved, and this automatically increases the draft for removing exhaust gases. Self-made brushes are in no way inferior to store-bought counterparts - in manufacturing technology it is important to follow the recommendations in order to obtain high-quality material that will last for many years.