Alternatives to Chemney Sweeep

[joegreen]

Hello there,

Where I live, it's really hard to have someone come to sweep chimney. Others are asking for ridiculous amount of money since this is their season. Are their any alternatives to manually sweep chimney? What about those logs that are suppose clean chimney? Are they effective?

Joe

 

[kennyp2339]

Buy a soot eater and work from the bottom up.

 

[Squisher]

The fire code in BC states that your chimney must be checked atleast once a year for buildups of 3mm or greater. And if there is build up 3mm or greater it must be cleaned. It doesn't state that a sweep has to do the checkingor cleaning. But someone has to. If you can't check it and clean it yourself, you need to hire someone to. A 'chimney sweep log' isn't going to cut it.

 

[Squisher]

I will speak a bit for sweeps in saying there's a lot more to the job then what just happens on site. The liability, cleaning and laundering of sheets/gear, consumable items(gloves, rods, filters, cleaning heads, etc, etc). The 'cheap' sweep may not be the one to hire. What sort of gear are they running? How clean will/can they be with that gear? Are they insured?

If you live 'way out' somewhere where there is no local sweep. It can cost a lot to get a professional sweep out. Time is money.

 

[vixster]

I second kennyp233., have rags, nose/mouth mask, eye protection avail. and a drill. You will get dirty, in return you can see how you burning, meaning what is collecting around the walls of the pipe.

 

[bholler]

I am curious what a ridiculous amount is?

 

[Supersurvey]

What type of liner do you have. A previous post lead me to believe a sooteater could damage a SS liner due to the rods whipping around.

 

[Squisher]

I believe rotary cleaning to be superior and less damaging to liners then running a poly brush up and down. You just do it smoothly and thoroughly. Don't beat stuff up. No need to rush, espescially if you're doing it for yourself.

If you do it yourself and get yourself dirty with soot. Clean yourself up asap. Exposure is everything.

 

[bholler]

What type of liner do you have. A previous post lead me to believe a sooteater could damage a SS liner due to the rods whipping around.

Nope if that damages your liner you need a better liner

 

[webby3650]

Nope if that damages your liner you need a better liner

Same goes with a poly broom. I've never heard of a poly broom damaging anything.

 

[Squisher]

I don't think a poly broom would damage a liner more than rotary, but I do believe that rotary will clean better.

I'd be curious to hear other people's opinions. I'm pretty wet behind the ears still.

 

[joegreen]

I am curious what a ridiculous amount is?

I live in a bungalow in rural NS, Canada. The house has one chimney and two liners. The liners are single wall metal. I have got quotes from $150 to $350. I'm sure the cost varies depending on where you live.

 

[mellow]

$150 is in line with other places, maybe a bit on the cheap side depending on your setup.

Is this a new house for you or something? You sound like you haven't had to deal with this before.

 

[Squisher]

Remember Canadian prices. Two liners is two flues. My price would be right in the middle of those quotes to be honest.

 

[bholler]

I live in a bungalow in rural NS, Canada. The house has one chimney and two liners. The liners are single wall metal. I have got quotes from $150 to $350. I'm sure the cost varies depending on where you live.

I dont know the current exchange rate but for 2 flues we would be in the 220 to 250 range american

 

[Supersurvey]

Nope if that damages your liner you need a better liner

Thanks, I'll have to research more. Like to have options but my 8 inch rutland sweepsall brush is working fine also.