Chimney sweep equipment – everything you need to sweep a chimney

A wide range of well-kept rods are essential for all sweeps. Having an assortment of lengths means even the tallest of chimneys can be swept. 

• Flexible chimney rods are usually made of nylon; these rods are capable of navigating 45° and 90° bends in flues, making them ideal for sweeping lined and twin-walled flue systems. 
• Rigid chimney rods are suited for sweeping solid and masonry lined chimneys (but not for lined flues as they can tear through the lining); the wider the diameter, the more rigid the rod.  

A rotary chain is a power sweeping attachment used to vigorously sweep stubborn creosote deposits when all else has failed. Rotary chains are only used in clay liners – use in a rendered flue would cause irreparable damage.

There are a number of different attachments that assist with removing bird nests that are stuck in a chimney. Your sweep will likely have a few variations of this to assist with any difficult nest removals. 

Many sweeps have adopted specialised chimney inspection cameras – these allow for a thorough inspection that is especially useful for difficult flues where a torch doesn’t cut it. Chimney inspection cameras also allow for customers to see the inspection themselves following the sweep. 

A cordless percussion drill (usually 18V with a 5.0Ah battery) is used when power sweeping; the drill is attached to the chimney rod through a chuck adaptor. The higher RPM that the drill achieves, the stronger the sweep.

Helping to eliminate a mess of soot and dust on your carpet, dust sheets are a core piece of equipment. Whilst a vacuum tackles most debris, dust sheets are an added layer of protection that make the process of having your chimney swept as free of mess as possible.

Every sweep has their own preference with how to block off the chimney opening during the sweep to keep your house tidy: 

• Foam blocks fit into the opening, effectively sealing off the entrance whilst having a vertical cut that allows for the chimney sweeping rod and vacuum hose to be inserted. 
• Plastic sheeting lets sweeps see the material fall as they sweep; clear sheets with openings for the chimney sweeping rod and vacuum are held in place with magnets or tape to prevent soot escaping. 

Creosote and tar deposits left in the flue for a long period of time harden and gain adhesiveness, making them incredibly difficult to sweep away – even when power sweeping. By using a chemical creosote removal kit, the adhesiveness can be reduced and the remaining weakened creosote can be swept away.

Used to measure static pressures and gas flow, a flue draught gauge allows your sweep to determine if your appliance is burning efficiently and diagnose and problems with your chimney system. Flue draught intensity is measured in Pascals (Pa) to determine if your flue draught is in the optimum range.

Smoke pellets are utilised to easily spot structural issues with your chimney system. The pellets are lit and then added to a warmed flue, causing them to emit a clearly identifiable smoke. If this smoke is seen leaking from your chimney system, such as the brickwork, it is possible that there are issues that need to be addressed.

A chimney sweep’s vacuum is integral to keep the sweep quick, clean, and safe. The fallen dust, soot, and other residue is safely contained by the vacuum, eliminating any mess and respiratory concerns. To find out more about chimney sweep’s vacuums and what differentiates them from your household vacuum, click here.

Your HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep will know what tools are right for your chimney and will ensure the sweep is done correctly, efficiently, and safely. Make sure you Book a Sweep to keep your chimney clear of build-up and your appliance running optimally.