Sweeping chimney with elbows

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KD0AXS

KD0AXS

Burning Hunk
Feb 2, 2014
219
Nowthen, MN
We had our stove installed towards the end of last winter, so I haven't swept the chimney yet. Obviously I want to sweep it before we start burning this fall, but I'm just wondering what the best approach will be since our class A pipe has elbows. Will the chimney brush rods flex enough to run through the elbows, or am I going to have to take them apart every time I want to sweep?

Here's a picture of the chimney in question.

 
Sweep from the top then the bottom.

Your set up is like mine as in the top is pretty much in accessible without a man lift.

Maybe pull it apart, buy a sofit adaptor and run it straight up.
 
Should be able to use a sooteater and sweep right past the elbows.
 
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Your rods should push right through them we clan allot of them like that and brush right through no problem.
 
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Even the fiberglass rods and cheap broom will go through a 30 degree offset like you have. No issues at all. How steep is that roof?
 
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Mine has offsets similar to that. Regular fiberglass rods work fine. No big deal!
 
webby3650 said:
How steep is that roof?
Click to expand...

The roof isn't all that steep, but the top of the chimney isn't accessible from the roof because of the location and the height.

I guess I'll try it from the bottom up with a regular brush and rods and see what happens.
 
You shouldn't have any issues cleaning it from the bottom. Just make sure the cap is clean afterward. Push the broom all the way into the cap and try to spin it clockwise.
 
I agree with webby, your cap is going to be your main concern. The screens in many rain caps are often the first part of the system to clog up. And they are the hardest parts to clean without taking them off and attacking them with a stiff wire brush. Take care of that and you should be fine with however you decide to clean your flue.
 
Sometimes it can be tough getting past the elbows, all you need is a little determination and a bit of elbow grease you'll be fine..
Elbow-Grease.png

Apply liberally. ;)
 
webby3650 said:
Even the fiberglass rods and cheap broom will go through a 30 degree offset like you have. No issues at all. How steep is that roof?
Click to expand...

depends on the brush, thin profile brushes go thru elbows ok

agree with previous post about the soot eater, that thing goes thru elbows no problem
 
Just an update....I finally got the brush and rods last night and just got done doing the sweeping. The brush and rods did indeed go right through the elbows with no problem. It really doesn't seem like those fiberglass rods are flexible enough to go through there as easily as they do. This job turned out to be much easier that I was thinking it would be. With the cleanout being outside, I don't even have to worry about making a mess inside the house.
 
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