First Chimney cleaning experience ...Almost.

[NickZ]

First of all thanks to all the good folks on this board who helped me out with solid advice last year when we bought and started using our first wood stove.

It is starting to get chilly and we want to start burning a little at night and of course want our chimney cleaned. I had an appointment set up for this afternoon - guy showed up - took a look @ the chimney - said I cant get up there it is too high - came in had a look at the piping that goes up from the stove to the ceiling and said sorry - and just drove off. Literally.

Does this look like something that is too out of the ordinary for a qualified chimney sweep?
I am waiting for a couple of call backs for someone else to hopefully come in before the end of the week - but would like some feedback.
Thanks,
Nick

 

[bartlett920]

I would say if it was to high he could take a section of and then be able to reach it Sounds like he didnt need the money(with this great economy and all

 

[jeffee]

Are any of the stove pipe sections telescoping? If so cleaning could be done from inside.

 

[NickZ]

I honestly don't know if they are telescoping or not - my best guess is no because I'm thinking they would have mentioned that when selling/installing as some sort of selling point. He actually said "I only do easy jobs"... SO I was glad he walked @ that point - but being that it is our 2nd season and only first cleaning due - I want to know if I need to call a specialist of sorts of this looks like it falls within the norm of the scope of a regular chimney cleaner's line of duty.

 

[BrotherBart]

I am not a sweep, except for my own stuff, but that looks like a tough one. To do it from the roof would indeed require removing the braces and some of the stack. From the bottom it is going to be hard to take that pipe apart without making a big mess in that room.

Get a pro sweep. With good equipment and insurance.

 

[NickZ]

Thanks BrotherBart,
Which leads me to question number 2:
Is the install done in such a way to make it unnecessarily hard to clean and maintain?
Did it need to be so tall - and did the inner part need to be at an angle?

 

[BrotherBart]

Really can't tell from the pictures.

 

[NickZ]

The exterior height is somewhere between 10-12 feet.
INside the room where the pipe is angled I don't see why they cold not have sent the pipe straight up through the roof?

 

[cmonSTART]

My guess would be either issues with where the joists were or if they DID send it straight up, it would be in the middle of the room upstairs.

 

[thechimneysweep]

From a Sweep's viewpoint, the chimney installation above the roof is poorly designed. The good news is, if I'm identifying the parts in the picture correctly, it can be fixed using the existing parts.

What it looks like: Starting at the joint just above the flashing, there appear to be two 36" lengths with a 24" length on top: the roof brace is attached to the bottom of the 24" length.

What should happen: Remove the roof brace, and the top 24" and 36" lengths. Reassemble, with the 24" length on the bottom. Attach the roof brace to the top of the 24" length. Then, attach the 36" length and cap at the top.

Now, a Sweep can approach the chimney from the high side, detach and remove the top 36" length and cap all in one piece, and clean the still-supported chimney and connector pipe below. The top 36" length and cap can then be cleaned out and re-attached.

 

[jrousell]

That roof looks pretty steep to be able to clean from teh high side ( easily anyway...)
and on a metal roof-- even hadrer...( slippery)

My roof is a 12/12 pitch and makes cleaning fomr eth top almost imposisble..

I clean mine from the inside... I also have a jog near the bottom like yours, but I did the install myself and made sure to use 30 degree angle and not 45
(that makes it doable to clean straight up from my stove. -- for my particular setup)

I am a total noob with chimney cleaning, but I expect one decent option is removing that top angle piece inside, and cleaning up form there..
but I would want a big tarp layed out and a sweep with a good vacuum etc...

 

[NickZ]

Thanks for the reply Tom.
Does that leave the chimney susceptible to wind and bending or breakage?

cmonSTART - there are no rooms above - only a tiny attic and then it is straight up and out.
Certainly could be joists that factored into the placement though...

i think the original guy who showed up today was inadequately equipped - he had a couple of ladders on the roof of his van and not too much else gear from what I could see inside the van while peering inside.

How does one know if the upper regions are cleaned well enough if it is being cleaned from the bottom up?

I'd buy the damn gear myself and do the work if it wasnt for the fact that we are talking about playing with fire here ... I need more peace of mind than a DIY job will permit me.

 

[thechimneysweep]

Does that leave the chimney susceptible to wind and bending or breakage?

Shouldn't make any difference. You had 2' and a cap above the brace before, and you'll have 3' and a cap above the brace when you're done. If properly assembled, the joints are just as strong as the lengths. Plus, I believe the roof brace is actually stronger when not attached at such a steep upward angle.

We don't like to sweep from below: it is virtually impossible not to dust the occasional house, and it is really hard to clean out the cap from below.

We do metal roofs on dry days, and use a ridge hook for firm footing. The redesigned installation will remain sturdily braced even after the top section of chimney is removed, which is also comforting.

 

[Diabel]

The exterior height is somewhere between 10-12 feet.
INside the room where the pipe is angled I don't see why they cold not have sent the pipe straight up through the roof?

Off topic, but I think you need a second brace! I am no expert here but I believe you need one for every 4'

As for the sweep...just look through the yellow pages you will find one willing to do the job!

 

[estreeter34]

Thanks for the reply Tom.
Does that leave the chimney susceptible to wind and bending or breakage?

cmonSTART - there are no rooms above - only a tiny attic and then it is straight up and out.
Certainly could be joists that factored into the placement though...

i think the original guy who showed up today was inadequately equipped - he had a couple of ladders on the roof of his van and not too much else gear from what I could see inside the van while peering inside.

How does one know if the upper regions are cleaned well enough if it is being cleaned from the bottom up?

I'd buy the damn gear myself and do the work if it wasnt for the fact that we are talking about playing with fire here ... I need more peace of mind than a DIY job will permit me.

Nick
You are right about not knowing if the top is absolutely clean when cleaning from the bottom. Only experience and having a feel can give a you a good idea. That said, I have cleaned hundreds and hundreds of chimneys and until this year only from the top down until coming across a couple like yours. I can not absolutely guarantee anyone there chimney is clean unless I can get a light in it and look down it to verify. I can tell if my brushes go up and through smoothly after a few passes on the 2 that I have to clean from the bottom (so far) and based on that and experience can be pretty confident that they are clean.
Falling off a roof like yours to attempt cleaning from the top would not be worth it to me. I am also very honest and straight forward with my clients and note the inability to visually inspect on my invoice in these cases. An experienced sweep should be able to take care of this for you even from the bottom. Hope this helps.

 

[NickZ]

Follow up:

I spoke with someone today and explained the setup - sent pictures via email as well.
His opinion is that he will clean from the bottom.
He said he has some type of bag setup for these instances and that it is the easiest and safest way for him to do things.
When I asked about making sure the cap is clean from the bottom - he said that if he is able to poke his brush through - move it around - that this is fine. He also wanted to be sure that our cover wasn't covered with mesh up top so he could push any refuse through the top.
Sound ok?

 

[BrotherBart]

I wouldn't want that crap dumped out on that nice looking roof if it was mine. >:-(

 

[bartlett920]

ditto Brother Bart! And if you dont have a screen on top you should get one to keep critters out and the occasional sparks down. I agree with thechimneysweeps method as I posted earliernothing is impossible I said remove a section and clean it. There is no excuse for half ass work especially with safety on the line... it needs to be cleaned top down.

 

[NickZ]

How much of a challenge is it to remove the sections and do it myself then?

 

[bartlett920]

well I dont know how you are on roofs but the pipe should not be that difficult to come apart the hardest part is working on an angle. I dont know what pitch your roof is but it looks fairly steep so you would need either a ridge hook or a roof jack and a set of poles and brushes which would pay off if you clean your chimney every year like you should.... at least. I guess it depends on how much will you have to be thrifty and know the job is done right. There are alot of shotty craftsmen trying to make a quick buck these days ...not saying all.... just saying. but I have peace of mind seeing it with my own eyes.