Chimney sweeping

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Leonard

Member
Nov 21, 2009
51
Central Maine
I didn't want to hi jack someones thread so I figured I would start my own. I have a roughly 27' chimney with a stainless steel 6" liner that goes from the fireplace insert up through the chimney to the top with a cap. I want to clean the liner as I have not done so and have been burning since October and would like to see build up or lackof first hand. My insert is a Hampton I300. I would like to clean from the bottom up as the roof is covered in snow/ice but am afraid of gaskets, removing guts, etc. Does anyone have the skinny on how to do this? Also in the spring I would like to get on the roof and clean is there anything I should know before attempting the top down method?
 
I think it would be tough with an insert to go bottom up and would probably make a mess. Your manual should tell you how to remove the baffle so you can access the flue. Might be a tight getting the cleaning rods in there, could be better to unhook the liner and slide the unit out? Also hard to get the chimney cap cleaned off good from bottom and that is usually the worst.

Maybe get a local sweep out for first time and he may recommend a once per year cleaning and you can do it yourself from the top during the spring.
 
I sweep my chimney from the bottom up. Check the link in my signature. Before I sweep, the baffle has to be removed from my insert. I think your Hampton has a baffle and secondary air tubes similiar to the Regency Insert my aunt owns. You will most likely need to push your baffle pieces to the side and remove the air tubes for a brush to get thru. Make sure your rods are flexible as well.
 
I've got the HI300, and I was interested in trying bottom up as well. Removing the baffle bricks isn't too hard, but I had trouble with the air tubes, so I just go up on the roof. If you were able to get the tubes out, you will need super flexible rods, it is a very sharp turn into that stove up into the pipe. FYI- I built my own rods following the plans on the wiki, works great and saves some bux. Bought the poly brush from a local Ace. Not much to it, remove your baffle bricks, go up to the roof, brush the stuff down into your CLOSED stove, let it settle, scoop it out, replace baffles.
 
Cleaning from the bottom up? From within a stove or insert? Flue have bends and angles?

No problem...

The Sooteater system works great! Super flexible and the answer for bends
and difficult to clean runs.

You can buy it from NorthlineExpress.com or many stove dealers.
NorthlineExpress provides prompt service at a fair price.
 
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