Chimney cleaning: how to clean the chimney of a solid fuel boiler

When fuel is burned, soot and tar are formed, which settle on the walls of the chimney. Over time, their deposits harden, becoming similar to concrete. If they are not removed in time, a corrosion process begins to occur under them, which leads to metal destruction and equipment failure. Breakdowns can be avoided by periodically cleaning the chimney.

Do I need to clean the chimney?

Chimney cleaning helps to avoid serious consequences and breakdowns of the solid fuel boiler. During the operation of the equipment, soot, tar and other deposits can form on the walls of the chimney for various reasons.

The cause of soot is:

• small amounts of oxygen entering the system;
• insufficient combustion temperature.

Resins can appear for the following reasons:

• use for heating crude oil;
• boiler operation at low temperatures;
• putting in too much fuel.

Tar can build up on the pipes when:

• insufficient oxygen entering the combustion chamber;
• insufficient chimney height;
• incorrect equipment design.

Regular cleaning of the sandwich chimney will help to avoid such consequences:

1. Breakdown of the main elements of the equipment responsible for the quality of heating the room.
2. Reduced heat transfer, uneven heat distribution and room heating.
3. Increased fuel consumption due to narrowing of the chimney opening.

Ways to clean the chimney

How to clean the chimney of a solid fuel boiler? There are 2 ways: mechanical and chemical. Each of them has its own characteristics and procedure.

Mechanical method

Cleaning the chimney of a solid fuel boiler mechanically allows you to effectively get rid of the crust that has accumulated inside the pipe. For mechanical cleaning, you need:

1. Scrapers. They are used to clean the chimney pipe directly.
2. Brushes and brushes are suitable for removing contaminants in the heat exchanger.
3. Cable with a core for cleaning the pipe from above.
4. Suitable clothing (non-slip shoes, gloves, goggles, mask) and a safety rope.

How to clean the chimney from tar and other deposits mechanically? Do it as follows:

1. The boiler is preheated. This is necessary to make the tar and resin, which have a rather dense texture, softer and easier to clean.
2. Scrapers and paddles are used to mechanically remove deposits.
3. If there is no window for inspection in the chimney, you will have to clean it from above, climbing up to the roof of a private house. Here, a core suspended from a strong cable is used. By alternately lowering and raising it, dirt is removed.

Chemical method

This method of cleaning the chimney of a solid fuel boiler is based on the use of chemicals (surface active gels, powders, liquids) that can dissolve even stubborn deposits on the walls. Their advantage is ease of use. The substances are simply added to the furnace of the solid fuel boiler, after which they rise up, settling on the deposits and destroying them.

However, if there is a large amount of dirt in the chimney, the use of chemicals may not be enough. In this case, it should be combined with mechanical cleaning.

How often do I need to clean the chimney of a solid fuel boiler?

The frequency of chimney cleaning from soot and other deposits depends on the type of fuel used for heating. For example, if you use coal, firewood or other high-quality fuel, the procedure should be performed once every 30-40 days. If the fuel is of poor quality and has high humidity, it should be done at least once every 14 days.

It is important to constantly monitor the condition and operation of the solid fuel boiler. If you notice any failures or malfunctions, the boiler chimney should be cleaned unscheduled.

Prevention

To ensure that soot cleaning in the chimney is carried out as rarely as possible, certain rules must be followed:

1. Insulate the chimney to avoid sudden changes in temperature and prevent condensation from forming on the walls of the chimney. You can use mineral wool or plaster for this purpose.
2. Avoid using wood with a high resin content. It is this wood that releases the most substances that create dense deposits on the surface that are difficult to remove.
3. Do not throw any household waste and garbage into the boiler furnace.
4. Do not use wet firewood.

If you know how to clean the chimney from soot at home, you can get rid of the deposits yourself and avoid equipment damage.