Help for a Chimney Brush Stuck in the Chimney

If you have a chimney brush stuck in the chimney, the first thing you should do is remain calm. It happens more often than you think. Even the most meticulous planners can occasionally get the measurements wrong for chimney liner brushes. Besides, your chimney liner might not be uniform in size or it could have become bent due to usage. So although this is not what you were hoping for, be assured that it’s an easy mistake to make and there are a few ways you can solve it.

The easiest way to retrieve a stuck chimney brush that has become lodged during cleaning is by accessing it from underneath. If you can reach up into the chimney from the fireplace, this should solve your problem fairly quickly. Be sure to wear heavy duty gloves that cover your arms because it is easy to scratch yourself when reaching up into a chimney.

Most people aren’t lucky enough to get their chimney brush stuck in an easily retrievable position. If the brush is stuck more toward the middle of the chimney, one thing you can do is try to feed a pair of pliers down into the chimney using a rope. Better yet, if the brush has become detached from the rod, attach the pliers to the rod. Here’s what you should do:

Chimney Brush Stuck in Chimney: Method #1

1. Pull the pliers open and tie one of the handles to the rod or rope with the jaw of the pliers pointing downward. If you have pliers that lock open, do not lock them. You might also want to reinforce your knot with a bit of duct tape.
2. Lower the pliers down into the chimney using the rod or rope with the jaws facing down. The pliers will probably fall open and this is perfectly okay. When they reach the stuck brush, they should close automatically. Force them down past the brush. After they pass the brush, the pliers will reopen on their own.
3. Now you are ready to pull the rod or rope back up. The open pliers will form a sort of hook that should be able to grab a hold of the stuck chimney brush and pull it back up to the top. Sometimes you need to make a few attempts before you manage to snag it but eventually you should succeed.

Stuck Chimney Brush Remedy: Method #2

1. Feed a rope down the chimney liner from the top all the way to the bottom.
2. Go to the bottom, or better yet enlist someone to wait there to assist with this step. Once the rope has made it all the way to the bottom, you will want to tie a bunch of old towels or rags to the bottom of the rope. Make sure they are bound together very tightly and you use enough of them to be strong enough to push the chimney brush upward. Towels or rags are recommended because they won’t scratch the inside of your liner and lead to further problems.
3. From the top of the chimney, pull the rope upward firmly and the attached rags should pull the brush upward toward you.

Getting a chimney brush stuck in chimney liners isn’t very much fun but it’s not the disaster you might think it is initially. One of these methods should be enough to help you retrieve the lodged brush and continue on your quest to clean your chimney. Once a brush has been stuck, you should discard and seek a new brush that is slightly smaller to avoid having a repeat of this pesky occurrence.

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Chimney Brush Basics

A chimney brush is a useful tool when it comes to keeping your chimney in top shape. Many people don’t know how to select and use one, but there is no need to be intimidated. Using a chimney brush is something that can be done at home in most cases as long as you know what you are doing and exercise some caution.

When selecting a chimney brush, it is imperative to choose one that is the correct size. Chimney brushes that are too big can get stuck, and if that happens toward the middle of the chimney liner, then it is quite difficult to remove it. Conversely, if you get one that is too small, it won’t really accomplish anything because it won’t reach the sides of the flue liner which is where it needs to do its work. It is best to measure the inside of your chimney liner from both the top and the bottom in case there is some variation. If you have a metal chimney, you will have to take the cap off before measuring. Be sure to also find a chimney brush that matches the shape of your chimney liner (round or square). Round chimney sweep brushes should match the inside diameter of your liner exactly, whereas rectangular chimney liner brushes should be about half an inch larger than the inside of the liner.

The importance of chimney maintenance cannot be understated. Most chimneys need to be cleaned once every year or two but the exact frequency depends on how often you use it and what type of wood you burn inside. It is crucial to get your chimney inspected every year, at which point the inspector can recommend if a cleaning or other repairs are necessary.

You need a chimney brush!Why is cleaning with a chimney brush so important? When burning a fire in your fireplace, if everything is in working order the smoke does exit through the chimney as you might expect, but it also leaves behind traces of chemicals on the inside of your chimney liner. With repeated usage, these toxic byproducts build up inside the liner. This in turn creates dangerous fumes and can also erode your chimney liner, which could eventually lead to a house fire or carbon monoxide entering your home.  This buildup can form quite rapidly and is essentially “baked on” from the heat. It is nearly impossible to remove without using a chimney brush which is very abrasive.

Using a chimney brush involves attaching rods and sliding the brush up and down to brush the inside of the flue liner. The area surrounding the fireplace should be covered to protect from falling debris. All safety precautions must be followed, such as wearing a mask and goggles. If climbing up on the roof and maneuvering chimney liner brushes through your chimney does not sound like your idea of a good time, you can call a professional chimney sweep. This is especially useful if you don’t know what you are doing because it is a dangerous undertaking and toxic chemicals are involved. There is also the risk of getting the chimney brush stuck in chimney lining. A pro already has all the perfect tools and chimney sweep brushes to get the job done and takes care of everything from sealing the fireplace to ensuring the cleaning is done properly to taking care of cleanup. Even if you do decide to try to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a chimney sweep every few years to confirm you are using chimney brushes the right way and get the spots you may have missed with specialized chimney sweep brushes. It is still a good idea to keep a chimney brush on hand for maintenance in between professional cleanings.

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Chimney Liner Basics


A chimney liner is an essential part of many chimneys, although many homeowners are not aware of its importance.. Fireplaces are a great way to warm the house in addition to being attractive and cozy. Many older houses have one or several chimneys and multiple fireplaces to warm the entire house and nothing beats cuddling up before a warm fire on a cold day. But are they really safe? Most people don’t know that chimneys need to be inspected every year. You could be warming more than just your feet- you could be slowly creating a huge fire hazard or toxic gases could be leaking into your home. The main way to prevent any drawbacks of fireplaces is by having a properly fitted and functioning chimney liner.

A chimney liner provides insulation and helps prevent the toxic gases emitted by burning wood from entering the home. Many old houses have unlined chimneys. It is very important to check to ensure that the chimney is lined and if so, to see what condition the flue liner is in. Chimney liners built in the past become less effective over time and with use, the gases from fires eventually erode the liner and also cracks can form.

There are several chimney liner options available depending on the type of chimney you have and your budget. Clay tiles are the most popular choice. They are very inexpensive to purchase but installation can be a little pricey, especially if your chimney is very old or has an odd shape. Still, it is money well spent for peace of mind and safety for you and your family. Square tiles were regularly used for chimney liners in the past but now round flues are recommended for maximum protection based on the patterns in which smoke typically spirals upwards. So even a lined chimney may need to be updated to the latest standards using a chimney insert in order to be efficient.

Chimney LinerThe other option is a “cast in place” chimney liner. With this method, cement is poured directly into the inside of the chimney and allowed to dry and take the form of the chimney. These tend to give a cleaner burn and resist higher temperatures in addition to providing all the benefits of clay tile liners. And like clay tile liners, their lifespan is somewhere around the fifty year mark. This is an intensive process which requires specific tools and expert installation customized to the specifics of your chimney. You can also get an open fire chimney liner if you have an open fireplace.

Using a chimney brush isn’t enough to keep your fireplace clean and safe. Yearly inspection of your chimney liner can indicate the best course of action to keep your particular chimney in top shape and avoid dangerous consequences.

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