how clean does the masonary flue need to be cleaned before install of liner?

[ozibit juice]

Hi,

I just finished cleaning out my chimney, went from the top down with sweep for about 15mins.

then i cleaned out the smoke shelf above the fireplace, thats where the issue is. I cleaned it out but i still see the walls are black and it is difficult to reach some areas, although i did go over them too.

Just concerned because i read on here that the creosote can off gass and because the liner is in and the top/bottom sealed, the creasote will off gas into the house

Is this a big concern, does the chimney and smoke shelf have to be absolutely spotless before install?




Cheers!

Odin

 

[BrotherBart]

Yes it is a big concern. Spotless, no. Glaze creosote off of it, yes. If the liner sets that stuff off you will have a chimney fire trapped between the insert surround and the liner top plate.

Granted the air supply won't be great for it but smoldering will stink up the joint at best. Long handled wire brushes are available at most hardware stores.

 

[ozibit juice]

If I've gone over every surface with a wire brush and gotten all of the big stuff, i.e there are no chunks of creosote left on the walls........you know what i'm going to post a couple pics up here tomorrow that will probably do the trick!

Thanks BB

 

[ozibit juice]

here re the pics

 

[ozibit juice]

more pics

 

[ozibit juice]

movie

 

[ozibit juice]

here is another video,

the whole smoke shelf will also have roxul packed into it, so the chimney will not be touching any of the are ain the pics/video and will also have roxul between it

 

[BrotherBart]

What I am seeing is most of it is already charred. I would just hit it with the long handled wire brush, the same thing a sweep does, and call it good to go. Most is just a thin coat and I bet the thicker stuff comes right off with the brush.