A better option is to "sweep" from the bottom up using a rotary chimney cleaning system. The Sooteater is a spinning chimney whip that removes soot and creosote build-up using small plastic lines ...

Yet with the right tools, an assistant, and a couple of hours of dry weather, you can clean your own chimney. Cleaning your own chimney requires you to invest in a set of chimney cleaning tools.

You’ll also need a safe way to reach your roof, which may require a ladder. Additional chimney cleaning tools can include a screwdriver or power drill to remove the rain cap or animal guard ...

The third type of creosote is a road tar-like coating that is much harder to remove even with stiff chimney brushes, scrapers or power rotary ... necessary tools for this chimney cleaning DIY ...