Chimney Cap

[deborita3]

Hi. This is a recent pic of my chimney cap. I am new to woodburning was wondering if the dark color of the cap on the left in the pic is anything to be concerned about or is this normal. The cap and a new liner was installed in September.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It could be soot, but it's pretty dark. Personally I'd check it out while the weather is good.

For instance, were getting a 24" snowfall tonight. I'd hate to find out I had an issue then.

 

[jetsam]

It could be soot, but it's pretty dark. Personally I'd check it out while the weather is good.

For instance, were getting a 24" snowfall tonight. I'd hate to find out I had an issue then.

We're due for a little less than 1" and people are referring to it as "The Storm".

Take a flashlight up there, pop the cap off, and look at the cap and the flue. Good way to see if you need to sweep the flue, and you can get a better look at the cap.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Its also 2F out. Lol. It's a good night to feel radiant heat blowing off a 550F stove!

 

[WiscWoody]

Mine is like that too. I don’t get any shiny-like creosote but a bit of soot in my chimney that I brush clean during the summer. Maybe I should clean it more often but I’ve never had a problem yet*.

 

[deborita3]

It could be soot, but it's pretty dark. Personally I'd check it out while the weather is good.

For instance, were getting a 24" snowfall tonight. I'd hate to find out I had an issue then.

Thanks. What should I look for? I. not familiar with it.

 

[Shmudda]

You need to burn a hotter fire. If you do it will clean the cap up and it won't be as dark colored as what you have now. Don't be afraId to get the chimney temp to 350 to 400 deg as its a cleaner burn and no creosote will build up

 

[maple1]

I don't think a hot fire will clean a cap. Unless it starts a flu fire.

 

[deborita3]

Hi @begreen. Does this look like something to be concerned about? How can you tell if it's creosote or soot? Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[begreen]

It's pretty hard to tell from a small picture. Looks dirty, maybe from burning cool. Is this connected to an insert? Is the liner insulated?

 

[maple1]

I don't think anyone can tell from such a picture.

 

[Woody5506]

Mine has similar discoloring but it has been over 2.5 years. I sweep my chimney 1-2 times a year and never see creosote.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

If it rains, and the dark goes away, it's soot. Going up and checking for buildup is the only way I know to be sure you don't have creosote.

 

[deborita3]

It's pretty hard to tell from a small picture. Looks dirty, maybe from burning cool. Is this connected to an insert? Is the liner insulated?

It's connected to an insert and the liner isn't insulated. I was burning cooler in the beginning because I was going by the stove thermometer which turned out not to be a stove top thermometer. I now burn 500-600. Sorry about the pick. Too cold and we now have snow on the roof to get a better picture.

 

[deborita3]

Mine has similar discoloring but it has been over 2.5 years. I sweep my chimney 1-2 times a year and never see creosote.

Chimney was swept in September. New cap was put on then as well.

 

[maple1]

Do you mean the chimney was last swept in September?

That is a long interval for a new burner. I would recommend a month until you get a handle on how it burns & accumulates dirties.

 

[deborita3]

Do you mean the chimney was last swept in September?

That is a long interval for a new burner. I would recommend a month until you get a handle on how it burns & accumulates dirties.

I moved in the house in June. Chimney swept in September. Stove was here when I moved here. It's not new.

 

[deborita3]

I moved in the house in June. Chimney swept in September. Stove was here when I moved here. It's not new.

I thought you sweep once a year.

 

[Woody5506]

I'm inclined to agree with maple. I swept mine after the first month of burning just to get an idea of how much actually accumulated. I was happy to see practically nothing. Is it a pain? yes...but all part of the learning experience.

 

[Woody5506]

I thought you sweep once a year.

Burning properly with nice seasoned wood with a moisture content of 20% or less will usually allow you to only have to sweep once a year. Maybe even longer depending on your chimney.

I do twice a year for peace of mind, and I still had a chimney fire this year after leaving the air open too long on a reload.

 

[deborita3]

I'm inclined to agree with maple. I swept mine after the first month of burning just to get an idea of how much actually accumulated. I was happy to see practically nothing. Is it a pain? yes...but all part of the learning experience.

My husband and I are new to burning. I thought you do it once a yr. We have an insert. Does the insert need to move out to sweep? Do you sweep from the roof or inside the house and up the liner?

 

[maple1]

I thought you sweep once a year.

Well, I haven't swept mine in almost 7 years. Some need to sweep every month. Once a year is by no means a rule or firm guideline.

I would get it swept ASAP, especially since you say you have an uninsulated liner and were running it cool for a while. Not saying for sure it needs it, but there is the safety & peace of mind aspect....

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Do you feel comfortable looking down the chimney from the top? If so, see if there's any buildup.

 

[Supersurvey]

My husband and I are new to burning. I thought you do it once a yr. We have an insert. Does the insert need to move out to sweep? Do you sweep from the roof or inside the house and up the liner?

You can get a sooteater from rockfordchimneysupply.com. Clean from the top or bottom. From the bottom you will have to manage the dust. This is what mine looked like after 2 months of nightly burning. 5:00pm to 1:00am daily.

 

[Shmudda]

I don't think a hot fire will clean a cap. Unless it starts a flu fire.

Maple I disagree. You mean to tell me your stove never had a cool fire and created black soot and light creosote? Every stove has. What happens when you burn a hotter fire the black soot and light creosote gets burnt and cleans up. Are you a rookie in burning? Creosote is dangerous when it's caked heavy but when light it's easy to burn off. The poster even stated he burned cool which would agree with what I was saying. Again burn a hotter fire for a longer period and it will vanish

And Maple you haven't swept your chimney in seven years? Wow, not the person to be giving advice then!

Craig