Chimney Creosote

[cleoboat]

Hi folks - I checked my chimney yesterday. It is an older, lined chimney. We burn wood on the weekends during the weekends here in the Northeast with a new fireplace insert. Probably a cord a year. I have had the chimney cleaned every year or so. They never get much out of it.

I looked down it yesterday with a flashlight. It had a very, very thin coating of creosote on the liner (less than paperthin). I could scrape it off with my fingertip). No blackages whatsoever.

Does this warrant cleaning? Pls dont give me the Chimny sweeps of America usual line. Does it REALLY need sweeping?

Thanks Happy T-Day

[Lawrence]

Since the residue is a small one I think you are OK specially since you have cleaned regularly in the past. You would never expect there to be no residue at all with a wood burning flue. Just keep cleaning it on a regular basis.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Given the fact that you were looking down, that means you were on the roof. If you had a brush and rods it would have been done in 15 minutes. You are probably OK for a while, but why not invest $25 to $50 and do it yourself?

[cleoboat]

I will invest in the equipment. I was really inquiring because I plan to fire her up today and probably will not get back up there for a couple weeks. As a matter of fact, I'm firing her up right after this.

Thanks

[Bill]

The fire department around here advises cleaning your chimney at *least* once a year.

[robson]

The amount of creo that comes out is an excellent indicator of the moisture content of your wood and your burning habits (hot vs/ smoldering). Clean it out every year.

[George E. Cawthon]

Nope, doesn't need cleaning. (Long time fireplace and stove operator)

[George E. Cawthon]

Good point. It takes almost as much time to clean it as it does to get up there and look. And cleaning the stuff that falls down into the insert is simple and fast.

[lwasserm]

If the flue is sound and the creosote layer is truly paper-thin throughout, try burning a good, hot fire from dry hardwood for a few hours.

[Fred Wilson]

Not really on this question but what about those things they sell to through in the fire. I can get them at the farm store down the road.

Are they not worth their money?

Thanks, Fred

[e-mail] wrote:

[robson]

Nope. Waste of money. Good seasoned wood, good burning habits and an annual cleaning /inspection is the way to go. And your insurance company would be happy as well.

[Tom The Great]

Strange enough, you might want to contact your insurance company. Since like you they want to keep your home safe, they might have guidlines based on your fireplace usage, and what you burn.

Give them a call.

later,

tom @

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Save a trip to the store and just toss some dollar bills into the fire.

[Oren]

Pecos?

-- Oren

"Well, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens, it happens constantly."