A chimney sweep’s brush vs chimney sweeping logs. Do these logs really clean the chimney? I have been cleaning chimneys for 30 years now, and I get this question asked of me several times each year. I cannot speak for the cleaning logs because I have not observed their effect over time with various degrees of creosote build-up.
To be able to answer this question, I would have to start with a clean chimney. I would have to record how much wood was burned over a given period of time and how long it took for the chimney to get to the point where a manual sweeping was required. And of course, I would need to keep a record of when the chimney cleaning logs were used. If you have a pre-existing heavy build-up of third-degree creosote, then the cleaning log is not going to handle it. You will need to call in a sweep that has experience in using specific chemicals, equipment, and procedures to remove this dangerous build-up.
Other points to consider: what your chimney sweeping log can’t see-
Your chimney cleaning log does not have a trained eye for the condition of your chimney and fireplace or wood stove. Consider this standard Condition Report that we fill out as a routine part of a chimney cleaning (Click image to enlarge:)
