How many people sweep their own chimney?
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Because he was sweeping chimneys... If he wasn't, him hopping around like that and singing the song would be a bit odd.
burnt2perfection
Member
Once a year for me. Luckily I'm not too afraid of heights. It takes every bit of the 30' ladder.
Well it's a PITA, but with an EPA stove, SS liner and dry wood I only have to do it once a year. Only get a few gals of powdery creosote vs two cleanings at 5 gal apiece with the old Jumbo Moe.
brokenknee
Burning Hunk
Dustin
Minister of Fire
I clean both chimneys twice a season. Did it this morning actually. 45 mins later and I'm lighting up again.
Smoke Signals
Burning Hunk
tfdchief
Minister of Fire
I have always done my own. I really want to know what's going on first hand. No sweeps in my city anyway. Hope I can continue doing it myself.
lowroadacres
Minister of Fire
Clean our own chimneys.... Two flues in one masonry chimney structure.
Simple straight line for both, low slope roof, step ladder on the deck to get on the roof.
Most creosote residue I have cleaned out of either chimney is about 2 cups worth.
Simple straight line for both, low slope roof, step ladder on the deck to get on the roof.
Most creosote residue I have cleaned out of either chimney is about 2 cups worth.
Treacherous
Minister of Fire
I'm also a do it myself-er.
I like to clean from the top, but the chimney flue is in the middle of a steep metal roof, so I manufactured some brackets and attached them to the roof so I could lay planks on, and also secured a couple hooks to hang a ladder on to climb up to the planks. I even attached a couple hooks near the ridge cap to hold the brush and rods while I'm working.
I keep all the planks, ladder and chimney sweeping tools in the attic under the roof.
I like to clean from the top, but the chimney flue is in the middle of a steep metal roof, so I manufactured some brackets and attached them to the roof so I could lay planks on, and also secured a couple hooks to hang a ladder on to climb up to the planks. I even attached a couple hooks near the ridge cap to hold the brush and rods while I'm working.
I keep all the planks, ladder and chimney sweeping tools in the attic under the roof.
Smoke Signals
Burning Hunk
WOW you move fast! 
MrNoBuddySpecial
New Member
I just ordered my plastic 6" brush today from amazon. Will be going the PVC conduit route for the poles...
albert1029
Feeling the Heat
started when I got an insert...5.5" dia pipe...had to trim the 6" dia poly brush with a good scissors just a bit and fits just right...good resistance...knowing im burning dry wood and cleaning myself is great...only soot so far...clean from the top...
HDRock
Minister of Fire
HDRock
Minister of Fire
My face looked like that every day, Many moons ago ,at this one place I had a welding job at
So if this poll is an accurate sampling of the members here, it look like pretty close to 90% of us clean our own chimneys. That seems about what I would have expected. Heating with wood is a fairly do it yourself sort of hobby. It would seem strange if so many of us who cut, split and stack our own wood, not to mention feed and tend the stove on a daily basis, would arbitrarily draw the line at actually cleaning our own chimneys.
However, I can understand there are people who might, for one reason or another, elect to have someone else with more experience climb their roof, and do the dirty work. Just like I'm sure there are some people here who heat with wood, but might never cut or split their own wood.
However, I can understand there are people who might, for one reason or another, elect to have someone else with more experience climb their roof, and do the dirty work. Just like I'm sure there are some people here who heat with wood, but might never cut or split their own wood.
Oregon aloha
Feeling the Heat
I have always cleaned my own ever since the sweep should we how on the first house we bought when we moved in. It's easy and our local fire department loans out the equipment for FREE. Can't beat that deal.
Maybe close to 91% now.
Maybe close to 91% now.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
Your FD is pretty smart . . . it's much easier to loan out the equipment than it is to have to put up a ladder in middle of the night in middle of a snowstorm to deal with a chimney fire. Very smart thinking on their part.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
All the time . . . for me it's cheap, quick and I know what things are looking like inside.
10-15 minute job . . . remove three screws from the T-cap and then I run the brush up from the ground to the top. Any gunk typically goes out the top or bottom of the chimney.
10-15 minute job . . . remove three screws from the T-cap and then I run the brush up from the ground to the top. Any gunk typically goes out the top or bottom of the chimney.
That's all well and good Jake, but are you sure you're qualified for that sort of work?
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
That's all well and good Jake, but are you sure you're qualified for that sort of work?
Since I am a founding member of the School for the Mechanically Inept . . .probably not.
I clean my own but I have a flat roof where the chimney exits so it's very easy and safe. If I had a steep or dangerous roof, I might pay to have it done, being a senior and not worth killing myself over it.
That right there would be a good reason to hire someone. Even with my planks and ladders I have set up on my roof I would never want my wife up there cleaning the chimney, if I happen to be out of town.
Of course there is always the option to sweep from below. Might be a more messy, but certainly safer for those not so steady on their feet.
I cleaned mine today with the sooteater. I cleaned it in march of last year and got about a cup of brown soot, today I got about a half cup of brown soot. I used my 18v cordless and it took me about 15 start to finish, including cleaning out the stove 2 times, cleaning the glass, vacuuming and putting everything away.
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