Best type of brush for oval corrugated S.S flex liner measuring 5.5" x 9.5"? Ovalized from a 8" round.

[RJ in PA]

Good evening to Hearth.com users!

I appreciate the help from everyone here as I am planning on installing a new stove setup.

A new question: What is the reccomended type of brush to use in a SS oval corrugated flex liner about 5.5"x9.5"? It has several sharp bends in the roughly 30' of liner, including one at the bottom (at the cleanout tee).

I am looking for a brush that will allow me to clean from the bottom up, to avoid the risks with going on the steep roof of our house. As a result, I think some flexibility in the rods and brush is needed. I certainly do not want to puncture/scratch the liner anywhere!

I have heard soot-eater works well, but is there any rigid/manual type poly brushes that can work well for this setup? I would have to buy a stronger drill in order to use the sooteater. Would the manual poly brush work well for cleaning out the liner vs the sooteater?

Many thanks in advance for the help!
Russ

 

[bholler]

Good evening to Hearth.com users!

I appreciate the help from everyone here as I am planning on installing a new stove setup.

A new question: What is the reccomended type of brush to use in a SS oval corrugated flex liner about 5.5"x9.5"? It has several sharp bends in the roughly 30' of liner, including one at the bottom (at the cleanout tee).

I am looking for a brush that will allow me to clean from the bottom up, to avoid the risks with going on the steep roof of our house. As a result, I think some flexibility in the rods and brush is needed. I certainly do not want to puncture/scratch the liner anywhere!

I have heard soot-eater works well, but is there any rigid/manual type poly brushes that can work well for this setup? I would have to buy a stronger drill in order to use the sooteater. Would the manual poly brush work well for cleaning out the liner vs the sooteater?

Many thanks in advance for the help!
Russ

Use a rotary cleaner

 

[VirginiaIron]

Use a rotary cleaner

Link?

 

[VirginiaIron]

When I was reading your post, I was thinking if you are burning properly a soot eater with longer whips would be the answer for you. Conversely, if your getting stage 2/3 creosote your going to need something more aggressive. The Soot Eater may handle some of the number 2 depending how it is adhered to your liner. The key would be to reduce the creosote to stage one which is like a dust and the most safest (if there is) of creosote.

 

[VirginiaIron]

One thing I’ve heard, is have a smaller fire before cleaning the chimney- if it is safe to do so, then let it cool completely. The people I’ve spoken to seem to think this helps expand the liner after the non-burning season which helps loosen the dormant creosote and makes cleaning easier. Perhaps a professional chimney sweeper might chime in since the guys I’ve spoken to are not professionals.

 

[RJ in PA]

@VirginiaIron and @bholler

Thank you both for your help and advice! I appreciate it.
Yes, if you have a link or type you would recommend, bholler, I would appreciate it, as I am now considering the sooteater brand mostly (as I am not aware of many other brands/types that are reasonably priced?)

Your point on burning a smaller fire a the start of the season to loosen up some creosote sounds like a reasonable and safe thing to try. With that in mind, perhaps i could do a brief cleaning before the first fire, then have a small fire, then clean out once again after the pipe cools down?

Russ

 

[bholler]

@VirginiaIron and @bholler

Thank you both for your help and advice! I appreciate it.
Yes, if you have a link or type you would recommend, bholler, I would appreciate it, as I am now considering the sooteater brand mostly (as I am not aware of many other brands/types that are reasonably priced?)

Your point on burning a smaller fire a the start of the season to loosen up some creosote sounds like a reasonable and safe thing to try. With that in mind, perhaps i could do a brief cleaning before the first fire, then have a small fire, then clean out once again after the pipe cools down?

Russ

Sooteater is the go to homeowner grade one

 

[VirginiaIron]

@VirginiaIron and @bholler

Thank you both for your help and advice! I appreciate it.
Yes, if you have a link or type you would recommend, bholler, I would appreciate it, as I am now considering the sooteater brand mostly (as I am not aware of many other brands/types that are reasonably priced?)

Your point on burning a smaller fire a the start of the season to loosen up some creosote sounds like a reasonable and safe thing to try. With that in mind, perhaps i could do a brief cleaning before the first fire, then have a small fire, then clean out once again after the pipe cools down?

Russ

Yeah, I like the idea of cleaning and inspection first before the fire. Especially if it is a new to you home and chimney and/or you are not aware of the condition/burn/clean history of the chimney. You don’t want that first little fire to be your last.