Chimney Inspection: An Annual Event?

[EPS]

You might have seen me post in other forums. I am relatively new to the wood stove game, but wish to enhance my knowledge so I can look to heat with wood fire more and more each year.

Last Fall was our first heating season in our home so we took the advice of many and had our chimney and wood stove inspected by an insured and licensed chimney sweep. He found nothing major and did a simple once-over of the chimney. We then burned wood, but not always of the best quality or dryness, all winter long. Midway through the season I used one of those creosote cleaning logs.

Should I have the chimney inspected again this year? We have a nice chimney cap so I don't think anything fell in, but do you think any creosote built up enough over the heating season to warrant another inspection? They are not too expensive, but if I can save money by not having it done...

Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

[bholler]

Should I have the chimney inspected again this year? We have a nice chimney cap so I don't think anything fell in, but do you think any creosote built up enough over the heating season to warrant another inspection? They are not too expensive, but if I can save money by not having it done...

How much wood did you burn? what type of chimney is it? What stove are you using? Are you planning on cleaning and inspecting it yourself? It needs to be looked at and cleaned if you are comfortable doing that yourself that is fine if not you need to get someone in to do it. The chimney sweeping logs are not bad but they do not actually clean your chimney at all they just make the creosote if there is any less flammable and it makes it flaky which means it is easier to clean.

 

[Heatsource]

yes, of course you should inspect the chimney yearly. Homeowners can inspect a chimney, look for loose or warped parts, make sure everything is still properly connected, etc

whether it needs a cleaning is another issue.....

 

[xman23]

If you intend to continue running the wood stove next season, I suggest you learn how to clean and inspect the chimney. You will sleep better knowing it's condition. As you said you burned not so good wood last season. Doing that, and not brushing it down, you don't know what the buildup is. It needs to be done before burning again. Then a regular cleaning so you can determine the interval you need to do it. Most of us get away with once a year

There are a few different ways and equipment to clean it. It depends on the chimney location and configuration. There's no better place than here for suggestions how to do it. Just explain what your chimney setup is.

 

[Seanm]

I agree with Xman23, and bholler. I dont do it professionally but I do my inspections and cleanings myself. Whenever I get a bit uneasy I plan a nice day for that particular season and do a scrub and inspection which takes me maybe 3/4 of an hour. I do this 2-3 times a year even though I often find I didnt need to do it. This makes me sleep better. As far as Ive been able to tell Im one of the few in the neighborhood who hasn't had a chimney fire. Part of this is due to regular inspections and partly because Im anal about moisture content of my firewood. I guess it comes from years ago when I was programmed to do clean multiple times a year when I was less knowledgeable (prior to my hearth.com awakening). Some scrub and inspect once a year, some less and some more and some hire the job out or do it themselves. It will come down to your personal preference and after youve done it a few times and record your findings you will get tuned in to how your stove performs.

 

[Hogwildz]

Inspect & clean annually, no brainer.

 

[Poindexter]

Not to pile on per se, but I agree with the above. I ran 18-22% wood two years ago, 12-16% wood last winter, I sweep my own chimney every cord, and I still have a pro in with a video camera every two years.

I am burning 8-12 cords annually, for me it is very cheap compared to.

I would suggest maybe get an inspection now, sweep every cord or two over this coming season, have the pro in again next summer, and then maybe drop back to having the pro in every two years as long as there is no change in your sweeping schedule or the crud coming out of your stack. If your swept ashes go through a big sudden change in appearance, by all means bring the pro out right away.

Having the pro in is kinda costly compared to what you might be saving on your oil bill, but compared to having a totaled house from a chimney fire sweeps are inexpensive, just a question of point of view.

 

[BrotherBart]

Inspect & clean annually, no brainer.

Yep. This last season I finally went from two cleanings a season to one. But inspect every cord or so.