Chimney brush with handy immersion device. What is a chimney brush and how to make it yourself? From a plastic bottle

Having a solid fuel unit in the house, you will have to make a ruff to clean the chimney with your own hands. You can buy, of course, ready-made, but it's too simple. It is more interesting to do it yourself from the materials at hand, singing at the same time: "It is necessary to clean the pipes cleanly in the mornings and evenings, and dishonest chimney sweeps - shame and disgrace."

Why is the chimney cleaned?

Owners of stoves and fireplaces need to make it a rule to carry out chimney prophylaxis at least once a year. This is not a very time-consuming task, but it will prevent a fire or explosion of soot in the smoke channels, maintain good draft, and monitor the condition of the walls of a brick chimney.

Required tools

Chimney cleaning is an exercise to remove soot from the walls of the chimney and flue ducts.

For this, special tools are intended:

• Ruff- a metal brush of a cylindrical shape, the core of which is a wire twisted in a spiral. Recently, nylon has been used as the bristle, and the shape may be rectangular. Usually comes complete with a rope (rope) and a core (2-3 kg). The core in this system acts as a sinker for lowering and cleaning, and a ram for breaking through blockages. At home, it is better to use a brush with a handle, which is made along the length of the chimney - type-setting or solid.

• Brush- metal and polymer, equipped with a handle. In the case of the formation of uncleaned sections of the chimney after the ruff, the marriage can be eliminated with a brush. For stubborn dirt, a metal brush is used, for soot - a polymer one.
• If soot or carbon build-up has formed in the chimney, a scraper will come to the rescue.... It can be flat or oval for chimney pipes. The handle can be lengthened if necessary.

At home, making a metal chimney brush will take some effort and skill. It is much easier to make a ruff from simple materials.

Making a ruff from scrap materials

For manufacturing, you will need a plastic bottle of 1.25 liters, a metal hairpin 11 cm long, 8-10 mm in diameter, two lugs with an internal thread. From the tools you need a drill and a knife.

1.	The instruction is simple. The first step is to burn a hole in the center of the bottom of the bottle, which is best done with a hot rod corresponding to the diameter of the pin.
2.	A hole in the lid is drilled or burned out
3.	The bottle is cut into tapes 1.5-2 cm wide. An eyelet is screwed onto the hairpin from one edge
4.	The eye pin is inserted into the bottle and the second eye is screwed in from the opposite side.
5.	Now, with the help of carabiners, the core and the rope (cable) are attached.

The manufactured brush is suitable for cleaning steel or asbestos-cement pipes with a diameter of 150 mm. For diameters 100 and 120 mm, it is better to take a half-liter bottle.

How to construct a broom ruff?

Many people now use synthetic brooms. The new broom sweeps well, but then starts to spread wide.

This one will fit for chimney brushes:

1.	The broom should be a round polypropylene broom. The handle is twisted or cut off. For convenience, the broom must be clamped in a vice or inserted into the hole in the diameter of the sealing sleeve of the threaded connection with the handle.
2.	The bristles of the broom should be straightened. It works well with a hair dryer. Then you need to take a metal hairpin 8 cm long, put on the washer and screw on the eyelet.
3.	From the side of the handle, a metal pin with a twisted eyelet is inserted; from the side of the bristle, another eyelet is screwed with a plate along the diameter of the sealing sleeve.
4.	The structure is tightened to the stop with lugs. The cable (rope) and load (core) are fixed.

Perfectly cleans pipes with a diameter of 180 and 200 mm. For smaller sizes, the bristles can be trimmed.

The second option from a plastic bottle

A homemade chimney brush with an extended handle can be a good help in the fight against soot. It is very easy to make - you need plywood or OSB 10-12 mm, a five-liter plastic bottle and screws.

The handle at home can be made from a long bar of 3x4 cm or made from plastic pipes with a diameter of 25-30 mm. For work you will need tools: a saw, a drill, scissors, a tape measure, a pencil.

1.	Surely there are pieces of plywood (OSB) and plastic bottles on the farm.
2.	Two plywood plates 240x120 mm are cut out (for a chimney 260x130)
3.	The center is located diagonally and a hole is drilled for the handle.
4.	The neck and the bottom are cut from the bottle, and a sheet of 264 x 134 mm is cut from the resulting box. Around the perimeter, cuts are made with scissors (knife) every 1.5-2 cm.
5.	A piece of plastic is placed between the plywood pieces, which are fastened with screws. You need to try to make the plastic protrude an equal distance from the edges of the plywood. The handle is fixed.

There are several more ways to make a do-it-yourself chimney brush:

• First is to use a mop to clean the floors. The optimum chimney diameter is 150 mm. It can be cleaned both from above with an extended handle, and from below on a flexible cable of 8-10 mm.

• Second way somewhat more expensive - a wire brush is used for mechanical rust removal. You can buy a new one - its price is low, you can use a used one.

The video in this article will help you understand the process.

We can say that the chimney brush is the main tool that is used for the hygiene of this structure. In some ways, the device is similar to a toothbrush for cleaning bottles, the principle and the whole look is very similar, of course, only the dimensions are much larger. The ruff consists of the main spire (aka the central perpendicular), on which several circles of large "bristles" are made. Often, thin steel wire is used, in some cases only soft wire types are allowed.

Despite the overall general understanding of the cleaning procedure and the presentation of the entire device, many are unaware of the significant factors when buying finished products. It should be borne in mind that the instrument is not suitable for every type of canal. For example, for brick structures, a ruff with a hard "bristle" is suitable, where the "gripped" soot is quite densely "stuck" on the walls. If you buy for a steel pipe, buy soft products, with soft wire or plastic, nylon. Otherwise, there is a possibility of damage to the structure with a rigid wire. As you can see, the nuances of the choice of ruffs are enough and it is important to pay attention to them.

Brush for cleaning a brick chimney

Where is it sold and how much does it cost?

You can buy one at any hardware store. In the absence of, you can purchase a ruff for your chimney on the Internet, as a rule, the cost does not differ significantly. The average price is within 2,000 rubles.

How to make a homemade ruff?

If the price seemed too high for you, you can make such tools yourself. The main thing is to determine which shape you need and for which pipe. There are three main types of brushes:

• Ruff - a classic metal brush, in the shape of a cylinder. Additional devices included in the kit can be either a simple long rope, as a rule, 5 meters, or a kettlebell weighing up to 2 kg. with an extension cord.
• A regular brush equipped with steel or nylon bristles. Has a special handle.
• Scraper. It saves when there are build-ups of soot on the channels, which the two previous options cannot cope with. It can be of any suitable shape.

From a plastic bottle

A homemade ruff can be made from a regular water bottle. Manufacturing steps:

• In the center of the bottom, make a small hole.
• A hole is made in the lid of the same diameter.
• Next, we cut the bottle into small ribbons, and fasten a hairpin with a hook on one side.
• On the other side, a stud is also inserted, which are connected together.
• Using the nuts, squeeze the bottle and attach a weight on one side.

Plastic brush making process

This design is suitable for cleaning metal, ceramic channels.

From the broom

A brush for cleaning a chimney can be made from an ordinary plastic broom, which is now a network in almost every household. Manufacturing stage:

• Cut off the stalk.
• Straighten the "bristles", you can use a hair dryer. After straightening, we clamp it with a hairpin and washer.
• From the side of the handle, we wind the hairpin with a hook.
• The structure is tightened on both sides, after which a cable with a sinker is attached.

Great for cleaning wide channels.

From a metal brush for a grinder

A metal ruff or brush can even be made from such a device. At the moment, the price is not so high and is already high, so we recommend buying a finished product. If you decide to make a ruff for cleaning the chimney with your own hands, remember that you will need two sheets, a threaded stud and nuts. Also, do not forget to use stiff wire or in some cases nylon as a "bristle".

From a metal cable, a difficult option

A cable can also be used to clean the chimneys. The manufacturing process is much more complicated and requires some effort and skill. You will need a rope, with a diameter of better than 1 cm. The edge of about 10 cm dissolves into individual fibers. They are unbent in different directions, and in order to keep the shape to clean the pipe, two plates are taken and squeezed. A counterweight should be attached to the bottom edge to break up lumps and build-up of soot.

Furnace heating systems need regular maintenance. One of the mandatory procedures is the periodic cleaning of the chimney, which eventually clogs up, overgrowing with soot.

For this task, a special brush can be used, with the help of which the inner walls of the chimney are cleaned.

What is a cleaning brush, what does it look like and what is it made of?

structurally, a ruff consists of the following parts:

1. Brush. O main element,almost always has a round shape It is he withcleans plaque from the inner walls of chimneys.Available in metal, plastic or nylon.
2. Sinker. Used only if the brush is attached to the cable. If it is attached to a telescopic pole, then the weight is not needed.The approximate weight of the weight is 2-3 kg.Purpose - to make a light brush heavier. Without additional load, the ruff on the cable simply will not normally clean off even a light layer of plaque.
3. T rose or pen. A brush is attached to this element, and on it it is lowered into the chimney.

The main quality characteristics are:

1. D line of the cable (handles).Ropes are usually used 10-15 meters long, handles 1-1.5 meters long.
2. Brush diameter (rectangular products are found, but less often than round ones).It can be from 20 to 250 mm.The most common range is 150-200.

Types and products by material and type of construction

O The main differences between all products are in 2 nuances:

1. The material from which the brush is made.
2. The way the brush will go down the chimney.

By material- now the following options are used:

1. Metal. These brushes last longer, are more durable and reliable. Of the minuses, one can single out less convenient use: if the metal bristles catch on to something, it will be more difficult to "release" it. In addition, metal products are more expensive than plastic ones (but since the cost of any brushes rarely exceeds 2,000 rubles, this is not critical).
2. Plastic. It is easier to make such products on your own - this is done quickly and easily (we will describe how exactly - we will describe below). Plastic brushes wear out and break easily and quickly. In addition, they are much worse at coping with complex and chronic blockages.
3. Nylon. A relatively new option, in fact, is an intermediate solution between plastic and metal.

By way with which the brush is lowered into chimney:

1. On a cable / rope. It can only be used from above - the ruff is lowered into the pipe under the weight of the sinker. The option is relatively simple, but poorly suitable for cleaning horizontal areas.The cable can be metal, nylon, or rope.
2. On a flexible cable (as for cleaning sewer pipes). From the pros: can be used both from above and below, and on horizontal sections.
3. On a rigid handle (rod).Versatile and morean effective option - it allows you to quickly clear the accumulated soot, can be used both in vertical and horizontal areas.The length of the handle is usually adjustable - for this they are made telescopic, and if necessaryfold or unfold.

How to choose the right chimney brush?

Let's summarize the basic rules for selection:

1. Rigid handle or cable? Ideally, to have both options on the farm: they are inexpensive, and it will be much more convenient to work.If you need to choose one thing, and there are no hatches in the chimney, then it is better to take a cable. If there are hatches in the chimney, and it is not high, then it is more convenient to use a rigid handle.
2. Which brush material should I choose? For stainless chimneys, you need to choose only plastic - it will not scratch the stainless steel. For brick and asbestos chimneys, it is better to use a metal or nylon brush.
3. What diameter of the brush should befor round chimney? Selected for the pipe diameter.
4. What diameter of the brush should be for a square / rectangular chimney? For the correct choice, you need to measure the length and width of the chimney, and choose a brush with a diameter equal to the larger side.
5. How long should the rope / handle be? Is selectedfor the length (height) of the chimney. It is not necessary to take the cable / handle to its full height: cleaning is carried out not only from above or below (from a fireplace or stove), but also through hatches, which are located in different parts of the chimney.

Where is it sold and how much does it cost?

E Rshiks of various types and sizes are sold in shops that sell equipment for fireplaces, stoves, baths.

A similar tool is relatively inexpensive:

• polypropylene ruff, diameter 100-120-200 mm: cost - about 700-1000 rubles;
• plastic ruff, with a diameter of 200-250 mm: cost - about 1700-2000 rubles;
• metal ruff, diameter 150-200 mm: cost - about 1500-1800 rubles;
• metal ruff, diameter 250 mm: cost - about 2200-2500 rubles.

Please note: the given amounts are indicated only for the ruff itself and the load. The cable or telescopic extension is usually sold separately. The approximate cost of an extension cord for 1-1.5 meters is about 400-600 rubles, a cable (for 10-15 meters) - up to 100-200 rubles.

A ready-made kit (the brush itself, a cable or an extension cord and a weight) will cost around 1500-2500 rubles.

From manufacturers on the market of the CIS countries you can find:

1. Hansa.
2. Sitecn.
3. Biltema.
4. Ragar.

How to make a homemade ruff?

You don't have to go to the nearest store to clean the stove pipe. A homemade brush is done quite simply and quickly. True, the effectiveness of such a product is likely to be lower than a special purchased one. Therefore, it is suitable for cleaning a not very dirty chimney.

There are many ways to create a ruff with your own hands. Below we will provide 5 step-by-step instructions:

1. From a plastic bottle for a round chimney.
2. From plastic bottle and plywood / board for rectangular / square chimney.
3. From a broomstick.
4. From a metal brush from a grinder.
5. From a metal cable.

In all cases, we need:

1. Metal cable (about 2-3 mm thick, longer or at least the same length as the chimney) with a carbine.
2. A small weight of about 3 kg is of such a size that it can easily pass into the chimney. For example, it can be a small metal rectangle, or an old dumbbell pancake, or a plastic bottle of sand.
3. A coil of wire with a diameter of about 2-4 mm, or a metal hairpin (length about 10-12 cm, diameter about 5 mm), with unscrewed lugs on both sides.
4. A product from which we will make a brush with our own hands.

A problematic point: the farm will find a bottle, and a wire, and something for the load, and a cable can be bought in the nearest store if there is no home. Finding a suitable stud will be more difficult. Therefore, it is easier to take wire instead. It will need to be twisted several times to get a tourniquet 5-7 mm thick and 10-12 cm long (that is, use it instead of a hairpin).

From a plastic bottle for a round chimney

In this case, we will make the brush from an empty plastic bottle with a volume of 1.5-2 liters (suitable for cleaning a chimney with a diameter of up to 200 mm).

Step-by-step instruction:

1. In the cap and in the bottom of both bottles, a hole is burned out, drilled or punched. Its diameter should be equal to the diameter of the stud.
2. The sides of both bottles are cut. It is necessary to make the slots before reaching the neck and to the bottom, literally 1-2 cm apart.Make a distance of about 1.5-2 cm between each slot.
3. A hairpin is inserted into the holes made, "pulling" on itself 2 parts of the bottle. The cut sides are bent at the same time, forming a circle of bent ribbons. It is their edges that will clean off the soot from the walls.
4. Eyelets are screwed on both sides of the studs. The cable is attached to the upper eyelet. On the bottom - the load.

From a plastic bottle for a round chimney (video)

From a plastic bottle for a rectangular / square chimney

The instructions are suitable for those who have a square or rectangular chimney.

To create a brush for such a ruff, we need:

1. Plywood sheet. Plywood is not very thick, a small sheet 6-12 mm thick will be enough.
2. Plastic bottle with a volume of 5 liters or more.
3. Screws (such that they could hold both pieces of plywood together) - 5-10 pieces.

The cut plastic protrudes between the plywood sheets, this is not very clear in the photo

Step-by-step instruction:

1. From plywood you need to cut 2 identical sheets, 1-2 cm smaller in size than the size of the chimney. Example: a rectangular hole with a size of 260x130 mm - cut out 2 pieces of plywood with a size of 240x120 mm.
2. The neck and bottom of the bottle are cut off, after which an incision is made on the side.
3. The plastic is unbent (a rectangular sheet is obtained).
4. A piece is cut out of the unbent plastic sheet, 3-6 mm larger than the chimney hole. Example: the chimney opening has a size of 260x130 mm, we cut sheet 26 from plastic 5x135 mm.
5. Along the perimeter of the plastic sheet with scissors (or a knife) with a distance of 1-1.5 cm are madecuts 5-10 mm long. It is these narrow parts that will clean off plaque from the walls.
6. NS a plastic sheet is placed between 2 cut-out pieces of plywood - so that the "bristles" stick outthe same distance on each side.
7. Pieces of plywood and a plastic sheet between them are bolted together.
8. A hole is drilled in the center into which a hairpin or coil of wire is inserted(or any another part on which it will be possible to fasten the cable and load - with plywood it is easier to do this).

This option can be improved. To do this, you need to cut not 2 pieces of plywood, but 3, and 2 sheets of plastic with small cuts. In this case, we will have 2 layers of "bristle" (and 3 layers of plywood).

From the broom

WITH you can make a brush from an old broom. An important nuance: a round broom with synthetic (polypropylene) dense bristles is suitable for us.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. The broom tip is removed (or cut off).
2. The bristles are straightened so that all the bristles stick out in different directions (like a toilet brush).
3. In the part on which the bristles are collected, a hole with a diameter of about 5-7 mm is melted or drilled (for a hairpin or wire).
4. A hairpin with unscrewed lugs (or twisted wire) is inserted into the hole.
5. A cable was attached to the lugs (or to the wire) on one side, and a weight on the other.

From a metal brush for a grinder

V This option is suitable if you have a disc brush for a grinder lying around, and it fits the chimney in diameter.

In this case, a load is attached to one end of the axle, and a cable to the other.

From a metal cable (difficult option)

The instruction is suitable for those who have a welding machine. According to this scheme, you can make a fairly effective brush with your own hands that will not yield

To create a brush you will need:

1. Metal rope, about 10-15 mm in diameter.
2. Welding machine.
3. Saw for metal.
4. Pliers.
5. Wire cutters (optional).
6. A threaded hairpin, about 8-12 cm long (or better - a fully threaded bolt, 8-12 cm long).
7. Nuts per stud (or bolt), 5-7 pieces or more (depending on how dense the bristles are to be obtained).

Step-by-step instruction:

1. 2-5 pieces are cut from the metal cable. The length of each piece is about 5-10 mm longer than the diameter of the chimney. You can take more, and then, if necessary, cut off the excess with pliers.
2. The trims are unweaved with pliers.
3. A nut is screwed onto one end of the stud (so that the thread comes out slightly from it). This will be the bottom "support" for the first row of bristles. If you use a bolt, there is no need to tighten the nut: the head will play the role of "support".
4. A piece of wire is laid on top of the nut (from the unbraided cable), and twisted crosswise (so that it wraps around the hairpin). The pieces of wire should protrude
5. More pieces of wire are taken and wrapped in the same way so that the result is a round layer of bristles. An important nuance: the bristles should stick out evenly, forming an even circle.
6. A nut is screwed on top, and tightly presses the wound wire (brush bristles) to the first nut (or bolt head).
7. Several more layers of bristle are made in the same way. Each subsequent layer is fixed with a nut. It will be enough to make 3-4 rows.
8. Lugs are welded from below and from above - for securing the load and a cable, for which the brush will be lowered into the pipe. Alternatively, they can also be attached to the thread.

From a metal cable (video)

What you need to know and do before starting cleaning: fundamental rules

Before starting work, you need to know (and follow) the basic rules:

1. Cleaning is carried out before the heating season (ideally, before each, at least for the purpose of prevention). This way you can prepare the stove tube for efficient operation, and you can be sure that there will be no blockages, leaves, debris, soot build-up or bird nests in it.
2. It is best to work on a calm and dry (and ideally also warm) day. Therefore, at the beginning of autumn, it is already worth paying attention to the forecast, choosing a suitable date for cleaning.
3. Work on the roof must be carried out with safety equipment (safety harness), in comfortable non-slip shoes.
4. Prepare a more powerful flashlight - with its help you can see the state of the chimney and the results of your work.
5. For work, it is better to change into closed clothes, which you will not mind getting dirty. Even with the most careful cleaning, the soot will still get somewhere.
6. Wear eye and respiratory protection: wear goggles and a respirator. Naturally, it will not do much harm from the soot that has got in, but sneezing or rinsing your eyes from it is not very pleasant.
7. Since all the debris and soot will fly down, all openings in the chimney (hatches), as well as the firebox, must be closed. If the fireplace is cleaned with an open firebox, then it should be tightened with plastic wrap.
8. The cleaning process is carried out from top to bottom. If you first clean the lower part of the chimney (through the firebox), then when cleaning the upper part, falling debris can again contaminate the already clean bottom.

How to clean the chimney with a brush: step by step instructions

Cleaning the chimney with a brush is done as follows:

1. Overalls, work shoes, gloves, glasses, respirator are put on.
2. Before starting work, you can look into the chimney by illuminating it with a flashlight. This way you can assess its condition in advance and see where it is heavily contaminated.
3. All chimney hatches and firebox are closed, except for the hole through which cleaning will be carried out.
4. Dismantle the deflector (or spark arrestor), if any.
5. The brush (it does not matter, on a cable or on a handle) is lowered from above, through the outlet of the chimney. Cleaning is performed with up and down movements. If there are blockages in the process, it is better to use a weight on the cable (without a brush).
6. Periodically evaluate the result of the work by looking into the pipe.
7. When the top of the pipe is clean, go down to the hatch and work through it.
8. Upon completion of cleaning, the firebox opens, and the debris poured into it is removed.

Ideally, it is worth combining two cleaning methods: mechanical and chemical. First, clean the chimney with a brush, and then use any of the means that is ignited in the firebox.

Cleaning process (video)

Advantages and disadvantages of using in comparison with other cleaning methods

If we consider the existing methods of cleaning the chimney and compare them with the use of a brush, then this option has a number of disadvantages:

• you have to work with a brush independently, while chemical cleaners only need to be set on fire in the firebox;
• even the most careful work does not guarantee that it will be possible to remove all deposits;
• work takes a lot of time, even if the chimney is straight and low;
• the work is inconvenient, unpleasant, physically difficult, and if you have to work on the roof, it is also dangerous;
• It is safe to clean only in dry (ideally calm and warm) weather to reduce the risk of falling from the roof.

The chimney brush is a tool with a long handle, a working element with metal or polymer bristles and an addition in the form of a load. Manufacturing requires a minimum of time and physical investment, resulting in a versatile design for high-quality maintenance of the chimney system.

Clogging of the chimney duct is caused by a number of reasons:

1. Soot accumulates due to the settling of solid particles of combustion products on the inner surface of the mine.
2. Condensation forms, the cause of which is the lack of proper thermal insulation of the chimney, and therefore the effect of adhesion of soot and soot increases.
3. Low-quality fuel is used. For example, prolonged burning of raw wood leads to intensive clogging of the chimney system.
4. Resinous fuel resources are used - firewood, lumber and briquettes from spruce, fir, pine.
5. In the furnace, waste with a high hydrocarbon content is burned in the form of household waste from polymers - plastic bottles, polyethylene, rubber products.
6. The heat generator is operated in an incorrect mode, the fuel is loaded in violation of the rules, the ash pan is rarely cleaned.

Another possible reason for the clogging of the chimney is hidden in the design of the heater, the essence of which is errors in the construction or installation of a heat generator, or an incorrect structure of the chimney.

A clogged chimney is fraught with negative consequences:

• the run for the removal of the gas-containing stream is clogged, the thrust deteriorates;
• the energy efficiency of the heat generator decreases, which is associated with insufficient traction;
• the presence of significant soot accumulations contributes to the formation of backdraft, and carbon monoxide can seep into the room.

The most dangerous situation is when the soot in the chimney ignites with the formation of a large number of sparks, this can provoke a fire in the roof or neighboring buildings. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to promptly remove carbon deposits and soot in the gas outlet using chemical compounds or home-made devices for mechanical cleaning of the chimney.

Features of mechanical cleaning of the chimney from soot using a brush

Before starting work, perform a preparatory stage:

• close the blower, firebox door, cleaning hatches;
• all of the above points are equipped with an elementary filter in the form of a dense wet cloth;
• completely open all the valves and views of the furnace.

The vertical part of the chimney is processed with a brush with a core to make the tool heavier. The structure is equipped with a long cable or a rope, rope or strong cord is used. It is recommended to choose a rope version 2-3 m longer than the pipe height in order to secure the outer end to the base of the shaft, otherwise there is a risk of dropping the device into the channel due to the weight of the core.

To clean the vertical section of the chimney, the device is lowered down the channel, pushing and rotating with a rope in different directions. After the structure with the load and the brush is at the bottom of the shaft, they lift it back, doing the same movements with the rope. If the tool does not pass due to dense deposits of soot in a certain area, the cable is lifted and sharply lowered into the pipe to break through the blockage.

Cleaning of the horizontal ducts of the flue is carried out using a brush with a rigid handle. Most often, the device is equipped with a solid or type-setting rod, the length of which is selected in accordance with the parameters of the processed plane. Since the rotary chimney units provide for special doors, moving along them, it is easy to clean all the horizontal sections. In the absence of rotary openings, use a brush with a cable. Performing circular-rotational movements, the structure is pushed into the depth of the channel and back.

How to make a ruff yourself

Although the chimney brush is not a scarce product in Moscow and other regions of the country, most owners of private houses prefer to make this device with their own hands.

A homemade chimney pipe cleaning brush is carried out taking into account the peculiarities of the application. For maintenance of metal and asbestos-cement smoke channels, a brush with a polymer brush should be made. To clean a brick chimney shaft clogged with perennial soot, you need to make a solid device from metal raw materials.

Steel wire options

To make a do-it-yourself chimney brush, you need the following materials and tools:

• a coil of wire made of springy steel with a section of 1-2 mm or a piece of steel cable with a diameter of up to 10 mm;
• threaded stud - 60-80 mm length, 1 pc .;
• bolt washers - d50 mm, 2 pcs .;
• nuts - 2 pcs. ordinary, 2 pcs. caps with a ring;
• hammer;
• pliers;
• chisel;
• wrench 14.

Sequence of work:

1. Cut the wire taking into account the cross-section of the chimney. In the case of a cable, workpieces are made with a length of 10% less than the diameter of the pipe.
2. At the center point of each element, the fibers are pushed apart to make a hole and pushed onto the hairpin. The wire is simply wrapped around the rod.
3. The stud is equipped with steel nuts with washers, clamping the structural elements.

For greater strength, flexible elements can be secured by welding.

When deciding how to make a do-it-yourself chimney brush, you can choose another version of the product in the form of a spiral brush. In this case, you will need a lathe or a homemade rigid structure to tension the rod. For the manufacture of bristles, a steel wire d1-2 mm or a cable is suitable, and a twisted rod is made of steel wire with a cross section of 6 mm.

Stages of the spiral brush:

1. The required number of blanks of the required length is made from the cable.
2. A steel wire d6 mm is folded in half, one end of which is welded, and a loop is twisted on the other.
3. The structure is fixed in the machine. It is necessary to tighten the rod well between the chuck and the tailstock and give the correct position to its veins.
4. Next, workpieces are laid in the gap between the veins, evenly distributing them along the entire length of the stretched rod, and fixed with hot melt glue.

When the spindle rotates, the rod is twisted into a spiral, firmly clamping the wire bristles between the veins.

How to make a homemade plastic broom ruff

This will require the following materials and tools:

• nylon broom, cord;
• hairpin - up to 10 mm;
• washers - d5 cm 2 pcs.;
• nuts - 2 pcs., one of them with a ring.

Remove the broom from the handle, unbend the bristles on the sides, fix the position of the product, heating it with a hairdryer. A hole is made in the center of the broom holder with a drill or a hot nail, a hairpin is threaded, and fixed on both sides with nuts and washers.

Plastic bottle brush

You need to prepare:

• plastic bottles with a volume of 1.5-3 liters;
• cable, metal wire d2 mm;
• knife, scissors.

Cut off the top of one bottle, this will be the base of the polymer brush. The bottom part of several containers is removed, the body is cut into strips vertically to the neck. The workpieces are pushed onto the base, the strips are fixed in several bundles with the help of wire. The base is fixed to the cable.

The nuances of using ruffs

To clean the horizontal cavities of the chimney, the ruff is equipped with a long bar. A tool with metal bristles is recommended for removing soot and grime in vertical pipes. If you have to work on the processing of horizontal or inclined channels, it is worth adopting a brush with a polymer brush.

Owners of fireplaces, stoves and other structures of this type are certainly satisfied with their position. No wonder. If a fireplace is on in the house, then the feeling of comfort and coziness immediately increases.

The whole family often gathers near him to relax, exchange news or just chat. Plus, watching the fire itself is seriously reassuring.

But having a fireplace or stove in the house also imposes some responsibility on the owner. It is common for smoke pipes or ordinary chimneys to get clogged from time to time. If you ignore the requirements for regular cleaning of chimney pipes, you can expect an unpleasant surprise.

As for the direct cleaning, then, in fact, everything is very simple and clear. Professionals recommend that beginners use the brush in two ways:

1. Traditional, when the brush is manipulated with a cable.
2. As a punching element.

In the first case, we are talking about the cleaning process using conventional methods, when the brush is lowered into the pipe on a wire, then manipulating it, the insides of the pipes are cleaned.

In the second case, the core does most of the work. It serves as a weighting agent. The brush is simply thrown into the pipe several times.

Let's consider each method in more detail.

Normal cleaning

The standard procedure is to apply the brush along with a wire rope or tube.

Stages of work:

1. Preparing the instrument.
2. We are fixed on the roof. We close all exits.
3. We lower the brush inside the chimney.
4. We clean the entire pipe or specific areas.
5. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
6. We remove the remnants of layers from the fireplace (they will all fall down).

Nothing complicated and incomprehensible. However, there are several nuances.

It is very important to close all outlets from the fireplace or stove. Only the pipe itself should remain open. This requirement should not be ignored.

The cleaning process itself is pretty simple. The brush is lowered to the required depth, and then moved up and down several dozen times. If the blockage is broken, we move on. If not, then you need to work again.

A complete pipe cleaning is performed in the same way. A brush to remove most of the layers along its entire length. And more is not required of him.

In case of formation of large deposits, it is more convenient to use a brush with a rod base. Here it is already wise to apply force and the blockage will surely succumb.

In some situations, a small weighting agent weighing several kilograms is hung on the ruff. It creates a reaction force that is often required when removing solid sludge.

Ruff with a kettlebell for cleaning pipes (video)

Cleaning with a weight

A more interesting option. Here you need to use the ruff as a natural kernel. A weighting material is hung on its lower hook. Its weight can be anything, it is desirable to calculate the weight depending on the complexity of cleaning.

Then the ruff is lowered into the chimney and thrown. In free fall, it cleans the edges of the pipe and breaks through the blockage.

If the tool does not work for the first time, lift it by the rope and try again. And so, until the result is achieved.

This method is effective due to the greater application of force and the possibility of fairly fine control of the ruff, with a minimum investment of time and effort.