13 Must-Have Chimney Sweep Tools
February 8, 2022 7 min read
Chimney sweeping is a hectic and dirty process. From getting the client’s home covered in chimney soot to running into dangerous air chemicals, many obstacles can get in the way of getting a sweeping job done on time.
That’s why you want to use the right tools to improve your chimney sweep business’ efficiency. The more clients you can serve in a day, the more money you make. So to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of retailers with some of the best prices.
Jump to the section that interests you most:
- 13 Must-Have Chimney Sweep Tools & Where to Buy Them
- Software: A Valuable Tool For Improving Efficiency and Profitability
13 Must-Have Chimney Sweep Tools & Where to Buy Them
The 13 tools on this list are essential for getting the job done well and on time. They include:
Brushes
To clean up all the areas of the homeowner’s chimney, you’ll need various types of brushes to get the job done and deliver professional chimney sweeps:
1. Long wire brush
A long wire brush allows you to clean hard-to-reach spots in the client’s chimney and is excellent for working on chimneys made of stone. These brushes are designed with an oil-tempered spring wire for a robust chimney sweep.
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2. Polypropylene brush
The polypropylene brush uses plastics and bristles to clean up chimneys. It’s the ideal brush if you’re cleaning a chimney that’s made of metal material. It also remains unaffected by the acidic effects of gas chimney flues and coal.
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3. Smoke chamber brush
Not cleaning up the smoke chamber properly can lead to dangerous house fires in the client’s home. A smoke chamber brush allows you to eliminate hazards like soot from the smoke chamber of the client’s chimney before it falls in the firebox and creates incidents. That way, clients will have a chimney that’s not only clean but also safe.
Where to buy:
- Cyclone Smoke Chamber Brush with Torque Lock Connector
- Copperfield 23835 Smoke Chamber Brush, 24 Inch
- Smoke Chamber ButtonLok Spin Brush – Stiff
Vacuums and Electric Tools
These vacuums and electric tools make it easier to inspect the client’s chimney and collect unwanted particles such as dust on the job:
4. Power sweeping tool
A power sweeping tool uses a rotary system to sweep out the flues at the top of your customer’s chimney. You put the tool through the pipe of the chimney’s opening and then push it upward. It prevents you from having to use a ladder or climb on the roof of the client’s home to clean up the flues, saving you time and effort.
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5. Filtered vacuum system
A filtered vacuum system allows you to keep the client’s home clean as you’re working on their chimney by collecting airborne dust and debris. On top of that, it’s an essential safety tool for your team—it helps get rid of any soot particles such as arsenic, which has been shown to cause cancer.
Where to buy:
- RoVac 3-Motor, HEPA Filtered, Chimney & Dryer Vent Vacuum
- HZ350 Hazardous Soot Dust Chimney Sweep Utility Vacuum Cleaner | Avern
6. Chimney sweep inspection camera
An inspection camera is a handy tool you can use to inspect a chimney before entering it, so you can get an idea of what you’re dealing with before starting the job. It also makes it possible to show clients the state of their chimney and explain what you can do to help before they hire your business.
A quality inspection camera should come with a recording video feature, so you can track the progress you’re making toward cleaning up the client’s chimney. It should also come with super bright LED lights for quality inspection control.
Where to buy:
Cleaners
The cleaners below allow you to keep the client’s chimney not just looking good but also safe from fire accidents:
7. Creosote remover
Creosote is a tar-like substance that forms when chimney smoke doesn’t escape entirely and, if left unchecked, can lead to dangerous chimney fires. By removing creosote, you can help prevent home incidents.
Creosote removers are easy to apply and come in different types, such as powders or liquids. You can add a couple of scoops of the product to your client’s chimney base where the coals and wood are to prevent any dangerous creosote build-up from occurring.
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8. Glass cleaner
The look of a fireplace can easily be ruined if there’s too much smoke or charcoal staining the glass fireplace door. Applying a glass cleaner allows you to get rid of these stains, so the client can see the fire clearly through the glass as they relax in front of the fireplace.
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Other Important Equipment
Here are other essential tools you’ll need during the chimney cleaning process:
9. Face respirator
A face respirator prevents you from breathing in dangerous chemicals as you’re cleaning your client’s chimney. Combined with a filtered vacuum system, it creates the safest environment possible for your chimney sweep team.
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10. Masonry sealant
Masonry chimneys are vulnerable to excess moisture, causing the bricks to deteriorate. Other adverse effects of excess moisture include decaying mortar, interior water damage, and a tilting chimney structure.
Applying masonry sealants to your chimney helps trap water vapors to avoid future deterioration. You pour the liquid within the pores of the chimney’s bricks to create resistance against water moisture and prevent it from damaging the chimney.
Where to buy:
- Loctite PL S10 10 fl. oz. Concrete Crack and Masonry Polyurethane Sealant-1618522
- Concrete & Masonry Sealers – Non-Toxic
11. Inspection mirrors
If investing in an inspection camera is not within your budget, an inspection mirror is a solid alternative. You can use it to get a quick look at the state of your client’s chimney before moving on to the next steps.
Where to buy:
- Wöhler Inspection Mirror – 4″ x 6″ – Lindemann Chimney Supply
- Chimney 64010 3 3/4 Inchround Inspection Mirror With Handle
12. Chimney water repellent
As a chimney ages over time, small cracks can show up in its bricks and cause water to enter. If left untreated, the water can damage the chimney and lead to thousands of dollars of repairs to fix the issue for your client.
Using a water repellent is the best way to help your client avoid future chimney leaking problems. It extends the life of the client’s chimney without changing its structure.
Where to buy:
- Eco Advance Concrete/Masonry Siloxane Water Repellent – 5 Gallon
- Chimney Rx Masonry Chimney Water Repellent
13. Canvas drop cloth
Canvas drop cloths consist of absorbent and leak-resistant material to prevent the client’s furniture and floor from getting dirty. You should lay drop cloths over anything in the room that could potentially get dirty during the chimney sweeping process.
Where to buy:
Software: A Valuable Tool for Improving Efficiency and Profitability
Outside of physical tools, using software can step up your chimney sweeping business and deliver better service for your clients. Here are the best types of software tools you can use to manage your chimney sweep business better:
Routing and scheduling software
Routing and scheduling software allows you to automate the process of route scheduling to reduce driving time and manual work for your team. OptimoRoute offers a complete mobile workplace management solution when it comes to planning your day and routes.
All you have to do to get started is upload the list of homes you plan to visit, set time windows and constraints, and click “Plan Routes.” From there, the software will automatically plan out the best route within seconds. It will save you countless hours of manual planning, which you can use to focus more on your business. Taking the most efficient routes to see clients will also save you money on gas and mileage expenses.
OptimoRoute comes with the option to provide clients with the expected arrival time for your chimney sweep. Doing so prevents the customer from getting frustrated when they don’t know what time you’ll arrive and boosts their satisfaction. You can send these notifications via email or SMS to keep them updated.
As a bonus, when your team is finished with a cleaning job, they can upload pictures within OptimoRoute’s platform. It’s an excellent way to promote accountability on your team and keep track of what was done or must be continued.
Accounting and bookkeeping software
Accounting software keeps track of your chimney sweeping company’s profitability, along with helping you get ready for tax season. The best accounting and booking tools for your chimney sweep business are:
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is an accounting software tool that’s ideal for mid-sized businesses. It comes with advanced features to help you scale, such as reporting on cash flow, forecasting, and budgeting. However, since the software is designed for accountants, there’s a bit of a learning curve to go through before you can fully use the tool.
FreshBooks
If you’re just getting started with your chimney business, we recommend that you go with FreshBooks. It doesn’t have the complexity of QuickBooks, and the software is user-friendly and easy to set up. It also offers excellent customer service and fast response to user requests.
Workload management software
Workload management tools help assign the right tasks to the right team members and define deadlines for their jobs. It helps keep track of all the work your team is doing and the progress you’re making. The best workload management software tools include:
Asana
Asana allows you to delegate tasks to team members in different formats such as lists, timelines, or boards. It comes with a generous free plan that supports unlimited file storage, teams, and projects.
ClickUp
With ClickUp, you can break chimney cleaning jobs into sub-tasks that you can assign to your team. As a bonus, it offers various perks, including an inbox and custom calendars. It also allows you to create knowledge bases that you can share with your team to teach them the best chimney sweep practices.
Get More Done With the Right Chimney Sweep Tools
Using the right chimney sweep tools allows you to scale and get more done for your client. As a result, it will lead to better customer satisfaction, referrals, and more revenue for your chimney sweep business.
Route optimization can help you plan your sweep inspection, field service management, and chimney technician scheduling. Get started with a 30-day free trial of OptimoRoute today!
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