Bottom's up cleaning qustion

[rasmussenjohn]

Hi all
I have a question about cleaning the chimney from the bottom up. Do I have to put a TEE at the point where the stove connects to the chimney pipe? this is a all metal pipe no blocks.

Or how is the best way to do it from the bottom up?

I understand that going from the top down is the best way to do it but with a 10/12 pich cleaning in mid season may be dangerous.

Thankful for any information

 

[BobUrban]

Top down is not necessarily the "best" way, it is just one way. I will say the best way is the safest way so depending on your roof, weather, etc... botom up can be the best. For me I have a straight shot from the stove, through the house so I can take the stove pipe out on the deck and clean it and then run a brush up from the bottom while standing on my stove. I tape a box to the botom of my chimney with a hole in it for the rod to get though. Very little crud comes inside and I hit it with the vaccum as soon as I am done.

I think if your chimney is a through wall configuration a T at the bottom, outside, would be a big help. They also make a thing called, "soot eater" or something like that. It is weed whip like tool you use with a cordless drill and it has flexible rods that can go around corners I understand. Many on here use and love them. This may be a good option.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

A tee definitely makes things easier. We can clean either from top or bottom but usually do it from the bottom as I don't like ladders and steep roofs either.

 

[Huntindog1]

If you cant get on your roof maybe a chemical clean is an option then the creosote will fall to the bottom.

I used to spray a fine mist of various cleaners in my old wood furnace while its was burning really hot so the hot mist would travel up the chimney and coat the sidewalls. I think bleach was one liquid. But my flue was clay lined.

You can buy commercial grade stuff. ACS is one I used to use.

But it all seemed to work as my clean out would get a pile of flaky creosote in the bottom as I was burning an old wood furnace at the time.

 

[firefighterjake]

Hi all
I have a question about cleaning the chimney from the bottom up. Do I have to put a TEE at the point where the stove connects to the chimney pipe? this is a all metal pipe no blocks.

Or how is the best way to do it from the bottom up?

I understand that going from the top down is the best way to do it but with a 10/12 pich cleaning in mid season may be dangerous.

Thankful for any information

I think you would need a T . . . otherwise it would involve taking apart the chimney . . . in any case, having a T would make it easier.

I wouldn't necessarily say doing the top down method is the best way either . . . the advantage of the top down method is you can check and clean the cap if necessary. That said, I've never done a top down cleaning, only bottom up cleanings and the cap is good . . . burning at the proper temps, burning seasoned wood and having a large mesh screen helps though.