If you use your fireplace regularly you probably have a routine you use to keep it and your chimney clean so that it operates properly and you do not get smoke in your house during your fire. If you are planning on using your fireplace for the first time of the season you may want to have the chimney inspected and cleaned. Some chimneys have an area on the chimney called a chimney clean out. It is designed for easier access for the chimney cleaning company.

If your chimney is hard to clean, you can have a chimney clean out door installed by any number of masonry or chimney building companies. Chimney clean outs range from simple two size doors from Home Saver (small and large).

The small door weighs about fifteen pounds and is about ten and a half inches by seven and a half inches with an access opening of about five inches by seven inches. The large door weighs over thirty five pounds and is about twice the outside measurement than the small with a seven inch by ten inch access opening.

You can also buy cast ion clean out doors that are not meant to be painted that are a bit more expensive than the Home Saver brand doors. The cast iron doors come in three sizes eight by eight inches, eight by twelve inches and twelve by twelve inches.

You will also need an insulation kit if installing a chimney clean out door. The materials cost for your installation could be as little is sixty ($60) dollars or as much as two hundred ($200) dollars before labor costs.

The installation of a chimney clean out door can be done by the average homeowner as long as the right steps are followed and you use the right tools. Here is a list of tools necessary for the installation of your chimney clean out door. You will need a brick chisel and brick hammer, pencil, square, screwdriver, brush, trowel, bucket to mix mortar, regular bucket, mortar, your clean out door and goggles.

Your first step is to prepare the opening for your clean out door. Make sure you remove all old mortar around the opening and any loose bricks. Also enlarge the opening to fit your clean out door and make sure the sides have an even border. (Brick hammer and brick chisel)

Cut your replacement bricks to size using the square, pencil and brick chisel. Put the brick on a soft surface and score along the pencil line with the brick chisel and then break the brick along the chiseled line. Never do this on a hard surface like concrete as the likelihood of the brick shattering is greatly increased.

Mix your mortar according to instructions and wet the area where the mortar is to be placed. This helps the mortar grab the surface better. Spread a layer on the base first and then build a layer up the side of your opening next.

Build the mortar up on the sides and middle of the brick; this helps the mortar to spread out evenly when the brick is pressed into place. This process is referred to as buttering the mortar. Use your trowel to cut away excess mortar and then take nails and drive them through the clean out door’s flange into the wet mortar. Once the mortar dries the nails will give even more support to the door.

Lean something heavy (bag of cement, cement block, etc.) against the clean out door and let it sit for a few days before trying the door. Trying the door before the mortar is set can cause it to move or even break free from the chimney. A good seal is important for the proper operation of the chimney and to keep from getting smoke in the house due to a defective draft action.

If you already have a chimney clean out have it inspected to avoid fire hazards. Problems to look for in your clean out include the presence of brick, mortar or other fragments when you open the door. If there are fragments you have some damage somewhere in your chimney.

Another issue is that clean outs need to be at least twelve inches lower than any appliance (fireplace, stove, etc.) that is connected to the chimney. If this is not the case, then the cleanout door will need to be moved to the proper location.

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