Chimney Fire?

[John-Eddie]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone thought the following was evidence of a chimney fire...

Some info:

- Chimney swept and new stainless steel 6" flex liner installed last January.
- About 2 cord of seasoned hardwood have been burned since
- I never smoulder fires

...OK, so there was a blizzard yesterday. Today, I notice on the freshly fallen snow at the front of my house (and a little on the roof) some black flakes. See picture. These flakes smudge to just carbon/creosote easily, and have no smell.

The chimney itself has some blackening under the cap (that has been there before) and now, there seems to be a bit more creeping around the edges of the top of the masonry. See pic.

I've been home the past several days just about 24/7, and nothing unusual has seemed to be going on. Opinions?

-JE

 

[Backwoods Savage]

John, I highly doubt that would be evidence of a chimney fire. Doesn't look like a lot there so I would not be too concerned. But remember, a chimney cleaning is never wrong! Do it even if for nothing more than peace of mind.

 

[weatherguy]

I agree with Dennis John, I highly doubt it, every year someone new to burning experiences what you have and think they may have had a chimney fire. It's good you're cognizant of any dangers and it never hurts to run a brush down your liner but you're fine.

 

[John-Eddie]

Thanks to both of you. I doubted it too - it just seemed like there wouldn't have been enough time for enough creosote to build up. Also, I've been using Rutland "Creosote Remover" once a week. Not sure if it helps on not, but I guess it doesn't hurt. I also got a Gardus rotary chimney brush a few weeks ago, but haven't used it yet. If we get a January thaw I'll just let the fire go down for a day and clean it then.

-JE