Learn what a spark arrestor does and why this is essential to your fireplace chimney installation and other combustion systems.
How to Clean a Spark Arrestor on Your Chimney or Combustion Engine
Cleaning off creosote isn’t tricky, but accessing a chimney is often a job for the pros
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No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Challenging
COMPLETION TIME
30 minutes
COST
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Extension ladder
- Leather gloves
- Safety goggles
- Safety harness
- Safety ropes
SUPPLIES
- Can of compressed air
- Face mask
You might not have noticed that your chimney or gas-powered lawn mower features a small, simple and potentially life-saving device. Metal mesh spark arrestors prevent burning particles from escaping from chimneys or combustion engines and causing a house fire. However, when the mesh gets clogged with carbon particles, it can reduce airflow, cause performance issues, and contribute to a buildup of toxic fumes.
Learn when and how to clean a spark arrestor to promote safe and efficient operation.
Prepping to Clean a Spark Arrestor
Before cleaning a spark arrestor, ensure it’s cool. If it’s a chimney spark arrestor, the fireplace or wood-burning stove connected to the chimney should be fully extinguished.
For a spark arrestor on a combustion engine of a generator or gas-powered tool, ensure the engine and muffler are cool, and the engine switch, fuel valve, and spark plug wire are off or disconnected. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions, as the spark arrestor's location, look, and size can vary depending on the engine type and model.
How to Clean a Spark Arrestor
It’s not difficult to clean a spark arrestor—all it takes is a little elbow grease with a wire brush, followed by spraying compressed air across the spark arrestor to remove any remaining loose particles. However, accessing a chimney spark arrestor is much more challenging than one on your gas-powered tool or generator. It’s often safer to have a professional chimney sweep complete the job.
Access the Spark Arrestor Safely
The spark arrestor on a combustion engine is typically located on the muffler exhaust tube. To access it, you may need to remove the muffler cover with a screwdriver. Sometimes, you can also remove the spark arrestor to clean it better. Always refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions on access and removal.
The chimney spark arrestor is below or part of the chimney cap, right at the top of the chimney. That means you have to access the roof, and this can be dangerous, especially on sloping roofs. It's best to only do this on a flat roof, and only if the weather is dry and calm and you have the right safety equipment and experience. Always have a friend or family member supervising.
Some safety tips for accessing a flat roof safely include:
Follow proper ladder safety guidelines, and place the ladder on secure, flat ground, ensuring it extends several feet above the roof.
Angle the ladder so that for every 4 feet in height, you move the base 1 foot away from the house.
Have your helper hold the base of the ladder as you climb.
While climbing, face forward and always keep three points of contact on the ladder.
Step around, not over the ladder once you reach the roof.
Attaching a safety harness to the chimney while you work is a sensible safety precaution.
If there are any concerns, leave the job to a chimney contractor to prevent safety risks.
Brush Off Carbon Buildup
Photo: Philippe TURPIN / Photononstop / Getty ImagesIt's easy to scrub off any carbon buildup on the spark arrestor mesh using a wire brush. Continue to do this until the silver metal appears.
Wearing a face mask and goggles prevents carbon particles from getting into your eyes or mouth.
Spray With Compressed Air (Optional)
Spraying compressed air across the spark arrestor can lift any remaining loose carbon particles dislodged during the scrubbing process.
Inspect the Chimney Flue for Creosote Buildup
Photo: brizmaker / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesIf you’re cleaning a chimney spark arrestor, inspecting the flue while you’re up there is a good idea. If you notice a buildup of shiny, black fireplace creosote on the chimney walls, it’s time to call a local chimney sweep to clean it.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Learning how to clean a spark arrestor isn't difficult, and you can do it in less than half an hour. However, if a chimney spark arrestor needs cleaning, it's best to leave this job to a professional chimney sweep near you.
Roofs are slippery, and falling from one can be fatal. They're also fragile, and if you do damage up there, the cost to repair your roof could be high. Plus, if something goes wrong while you’re up there, you risk invalidating your home insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chimney sweeping services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 15 total reviews
- Doug C.
Best cleaning I've had at my property
- Justin W.
Ace Fireplace Services' chimney sweep service is truly exceptional. They used advanced technology to ensure a thorough cleaning process, and my chimney has never looked better. I highly recommend their services.
Ace Fireplace Services - Bobby G.
This company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimney - Lisa M.
Mary cleaning service does an amazing job cleaning my home. They go over and beyond the cleaning services that I have had in the past. They are very punctual and thorough with cleaning my home, I’m extremely happy with the service they provide and I highly recommend them.
- Lori C.
It was a good experience. During the call, we ran through a series of questions to determine what was in my chimney. We determined it was likely just a bird or a mouse. Thankfully the animal couldn't get into the house because the flute was shut. I was able to wait until Monday for them to...
Critter Control of Columbus - Fordham.
Outstanding service. Dick Neff was prompt in estimating and added the chimney work overnight, even though it required use of a lift and color matching stucco. The plaster and stucco workers were courteous, careful, extremely competent in their craft, and cleaned up.
George F Neff & Co. Plaster & Stucco - Rick B.
We had to replace rotten wood on both buildings and shingle the sides of our dormer walls on the main building. Prior to replacing the roofs we had to tear down a deteriorating chimney to the roofline and Muth and Co worked with our hired chimney vendor to complete the project. While...
Muth & Company Roofing - Martha K.
This was my first time having someone come into my home to clean. Sandra with Sparklin' Kleen was great. She called me back promptly, explained her services and her fees. She spent 7 1/2 hours cleaning, scrubbing, washing, sweeping, etc...my house has never been so clean, especially the...
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