FILE — FIREPLACE & CHIMNEY · CLEANING

Fireplace Cleaning

No mess occurs in the house — a high-powered vacuum is on at all times.

FILE — WHAT YOU HAVE

Two kinds of fireplace, two ways to clean it.

Most South Florida fireplaces are one of two types. A quick look at the damper tells you which — and which brush Joe brings.

FACTORY-BUILT FIREPLACES

Hundreds of variations.
One way to find the damper.

There are hundreds of different types of factory-built fireplaces. The damper sits where the smoke chamber ends and the flue begins — grab a flashlight and look up from the bottom of the firebox.

Your damper is the metal flap, usually 8 to 10 inches round. Some are square or rectangular. They have a handle you push up and pull down — hard to miss once you know where to look.

Because every part is metallic, factory-built fireplaces get softer brushes. Smoke chamber, damper, and firebox walls — all cleaned with hand brushes working from the bottom up. No scratched surfaces, no bent damper plate.

MASONRY CHIMNEYS

Older South Florida brick and mortar.
Stiffer brushes for stubborn creosote.

Older South Florida fireplaces are often the classic brick-and-mortar type. If the damper looks like a cast iron slab on a pivot rather than a sheet-metal flap, that's masonry.

Stiff wire brushes knock out stubborn creosote. Soft nylon brushes when the flue is cleaner. Joe decides which on site — after seeing what's actually built up, not before.

If you think you might need repairs, call before booking a clean. Sometimes nothing more is needed.

FILE — HOW JOE CLEANS YOUR FIREPLACE

No mess in the house.

STEP ONE

Vacuum stays on the entire time.

The vacuum is running before the first brush goes in and it stays on until the last one comes out. Soot, ash, creosote — pulled straight out, not into your room.

STEP TWO

Hand brushes from the bottom.

Smoke chamber, damper, firebox walls — hand brushes from the bottom up. No tarps on the furniture. No black cloud in the living room.

STEP THREE

Soft brushes for factory-built.

All the parts are metallic. Hard bristles would scratch the smoke chamber or pit the damper plate. Softer brushes do the job without the damage.

STEP FOUR

Stiff or soft for masonry — it depends.

Stiff wire for stubborn creosote. Soft nylon when build-up is lighter. Joe looks at the flue first and picks the brush second — not the other way around.

STEP FIVE

A clean bill of health, when that's the answer.

Sometimes nothing's needed. After showing you how to use the fireplace, what tools to keep on hand, and whether you need a cap or a damper repair, you may simply get a clean bill of health — and an honest "you're fine."