Gonna sweep it myself

[rayfield]

It's gotten so expensive to hire a sweep, I've decided to take it on: since on his last two visits my guy reported that things were pretty clean, I shouldn't think I'm taking on much risk, especially since this Woodstock Soapstone Keystone has performed handsomely since I bought it in August 2020; I'm pretty careful to use good, seasoned wood.

Since the chimney has a cleanout, first question while I wait for the SootEater to show up: what should I expect when I inspect the foot or so of the chimney interior between the cleanout and the top of the stove? shouldn't it be relatively clean? should I be on the lookout for any issues?

I'm assuming I should open the catalytic bypass, or at least remove the cat?

 

[chimneychick]

Well Hello Rayfield
It is a good thing that you wish to sweep the chimney for your woodstove by yourself, keep ahead of the soot.... BUT Just a few pointers.
REMEMEBR to only use a poly brush inside a metal system and wire brush for masonry systems chimneys.
Sweep at END of season or every few months if burning daily
Remember to clean the cat periodically [there are ways to do without damaging]

https://www.woodstove.com/image/catalog/204%20Keystone/Keystone-204-Manual/Woodstock-Soapstone-Keystone-204-Catalytic-Combustors.pdf

Pics always help when asking questions too about your system...
so the black pipe between the stove and wall should be removed to sweep properly, put is garbage bag and take outside to sweep thru.
Then you can tackle the chimney itself. You dont say whether it is a masonry or metal chimmney or if it has an SS liner installed?
SO do it yourself regularly but every 3-5 years have it professionaly swept and inspected for any issues that may have arisen between visits.
Enjoy the warmth

 

[kborndale]

He isn't using a brush, using a rotary cleaner. Same head is used doing metal or masonry.

 

[Todd]

Are you going to try and run the brush up through the bypass? If so I don’t think there’s room. I always removed my stove pipe on my Keystone and cleaned that outside. Also remove the cat and scoop before doing a thorough vacuuming. Usually the dirtiest part of the chimney is at the top since it cools down more up there.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

Yes, post some pics of your setup so we can give you the best advice on how to go about it.
But yes, once you’re doing it yourself properly, you’ll find you’re doing it with more attention than many professionals. As said above, sweep more frequently at first to get an idea of what you have. Also, post pics on the pile of soot/crud that you sweep out before you clean it up. A lot can be learning about burning technique/dryness of wood from what that buildup looks like ( and how much of it there is). The folks on here have seen many piles of soot after a seeeping and the input on that can be very informative.

 

[xman23]

Yes, everyone should learn how inspect and sweep there own chimney. I haven't checked but there maybe You Tube video's. that would help You will sleep better knowing what's going on in there. It depends on your setup, there are many ways to sweep it. I use a poly brush on 3- 6' fiber glass rods to do a top down cleaning.

 

[barnaclebob]

Based on my progress hybrid experience you should see a thin layer of fluffy/scaley/dusty looking soot. You don't want to see anything that looks drippy. The stuff the comes out is basically black dust/ash with very small shiny particles.

I remove the stove pipe to clean with a soot eater. I tape a 1 gallon bucket to the ceiling thimble. The bucket has a hole on the side for a shop vac to attach and another hole the diameter of the soot eater sticks on the bottom to push them up. Some slits cut in the hole allow for the soot eater fittings to push through.

 

[retlaw]

Well Hello Rayfield
It is a good thing that you wish to sweep the chimney for your woodstove by yourself, keep ahead of the soot.... BUT Just a few pointers.
REMEMEBR to only use a poly brush inside a metal system and wire brush for masonry systems chimneys.
Sweep at END of season or every few months if burning daily
Remember to clean the cat periodically [there are ways to do without damaging]

https://www.woodstove.com/image/catalog/204%20Keystone/Keystone-204-Manual/Woodstock-Soapstone-Keystone-204-Catalytic-Combustors.pdf

Pics always help when asking questions too about your system...
so the black pipe between the stove and wall should be removed to sweep properly, put is garbage bag and take outside to sweep thru.
Then you can tackle the chimney itself. You dont say whether it is a masonry or metal chimmney or if it has an SS liner installed?
SO do it yourself regularly but every 3-5 years have it professionaly swept and inspected for any issues that may have arisen between visits.
Enjoy the warmth

A wire brush is fine for a rigid steel liner such as HeatFab or Selkirk.

 

[Max W]

A wire brush is fine for a rigid steel liner such as HeatFab or Selkirk.

Rutland and others recommend a poly brush with any stainless. The wire brushes likely scratch up the ss chimney surface.