cleaning chimney for first time

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Brockport Bill

New Member
Dec 13, 2007
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Brockport, New York
I am getting ready to clean and inspect my new chimney system of 2 weeks. It is a double wall stainless chimney, I have steel bristle brush and rods. I figured if I statrt the brush from the basement going up then put a garbage bag around the pipe with a hole for the rod I could push up the 28' untill it hits the cap, then pull it back down. the pipe manufature says that it is ok to use poly brushes or steel as long as you do not scratch the stainless, but how do you not scratch with steel bristles? Also should the flue be warm maybe in the morning? when stove is cool?
Thanks
 
You are cleaning the chimney after only two weeks of use? Seems a bit premature to me. Perhaps the Jedi Masters of the forum will share their wisdom on this one.
 
I was just going by the manufatures instructions for the chimney. They state you should clean it after the first week of operation to see how much creosote you are generating.
They also state after two weeks you could generate enough creosote to have a sever chimney fire. I am new to wood burning so I as open to all suggestions. I figure if I am not burning properly with flue temps as I am learning how to start up fires and try to keep them going I figure I maybe could be building up but I do not know
Thanks
 
Probably wise to follow the manufacturer's instruction. I have always cleaned from the top down. I tied a bag at the bottom to catch the creasote the first time or two. Then I bought an extra cap for my cleanout t at the base of the chimney. I cut a hole in the extra cap that I attach a shop vac hose to. Put a drywall dust bag in the vac so it doesn't blow right thru the vacuum. Your first couple of times you probably want to use a bag instead of a vac, because you will want to be able to see just how much creasote you cleaned out. I've never tried from the bottom, seems like it would be messy. I guess it depends what it looks like to get to the top end. That's my $.02 I'm sure wiser members will give you better advise soon.
 
I would not use a steel bristle brush because it could scratch it. You could hold off a few days until you get a poly brush.

It may be kind of hard to push that brush up 28 feet........be careful when you get near the cap and don't knock the cap loose when it exits out of pipe end.

A trick I use is to turn fiberglass rods clockwise whenever it gets stuck in joints (steel fiberglass rod joints can get hung up in pipe angles) and if you lock a set of vise grips on a joint down below you can turn it gently clock wise and pull at the same time making the rod joint kind of slip over pipe edge.

Wear gloves, those pipe edges are sharp.


Robbie
 
Which manufacturer recommended cleaning in 2 weeks. The stove or the chimney manufacturer? Quad book says to check your chimney after 2 months.
 
Brockport Bill said:
I am getting ready to clean and inspect my new chimney system of 2 weeks. It is a double wall stainless chimney, I have steel bristle brush and rods. I figured if I statrt the brush from the basement going up then put a garbage bag around the pipe with a hole for the rod I could push up the 28' untill it hits the cap, then pull it back down. the pipe manufature says that it is ok to use poly brushes or steel as long as you do not scratch the stainless, but how do you not scratch with steel bristles? Also should the flue be warm maybe in the morning? when stove is cool?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Bill, is your flue interior or exterior? If it is mostly exterior, and you have a non-EPA stove, then checking it after two weeks might not be a bad idea, especially if the wood is partially seasoned. But if this is an interior flue, with an EPA stove and good wood, you may go all season with just a handful of dust coming from the stack.
 
Your best bet is check the cap for build up first. Thats the first area to get the most build up of creosote. Then whatever is sticking out the old chimney. A steel brush is fine. The bristles are not rock hard, and mine even specs for s.s. or terracotta usage. I have double wall also and it cleans very well & dis not scratch. Poly is too soft and poly is for wussies ;). Seriously though, check the top of the liner first & the cap. Even if that cap is semi clogged (which you should clean), the liner itself might be fine. If the top area is fine, the rest is even cleaner below.
 
Great advice, thanks! I too was going to clean mine for the first time today and thought I'd better check the ole boards to gather some knowledge. I installed a Mansfield last Nov. and burned nonstop thru April. Probably 6-9 cords, 3 heaping wheelbarrowfuls a day average (I have a big barn of a house to heat). I have 27 feet of Class A with two 30 degree bends, all interior or insulated chase. The soot is 1/16" +/- at the top 2 feet of the stack. A few thicker flakes at the very top where the pipe meets the cap and on the cap itself, but seemingly not much in the pipe. I worked hard to keep an efficient fire going, and I think that paid off. Would you guys clean this now, or continue to monitor it for another season? I would really rather go fishing with my son... Thanks friends!
 
Russ in Chicagoland said:
Great advice, thanks! I too was going to clean mine for the first time today and thought I'd better check the ole boards to gather some knowledge. I installed a Mansfield last Nov. and burned nonstop thru April. Probably 6-9 cords, 3 heaping wheelbarrowfuls a day average (I have a big barn of a house to heat). I have 27 feet of Class A with two 30 degree bends, all interior or insulated chase. The soot is 1/16" +/- at the top 2 feet of the stack. A few thicker flakes at the very top where the pipe meets the cap and on the cap itself, but seemingly not much in the pipe. I worked hard to keep an efficient fire going, and I think that paid off. Would you guys clean this now, or continue to monitor it for another season? I would really rather go fishing with my son... Thanks friends!
Click to expand...

Well even though I check and clean my chimney monthly . . . just because I'm that "type" of person . . . I would say you should be good to go another year . . . just keep an eye on things.
 
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