Today, (this morning) the Chimney Sweep comes to the house to do his work. He's a known Professional and is Licensed and Certified up the ying-yang, with a ton of experience.
BECAUSE I can't be here to talk with him, I prepared the following letter for him, and will be interested in his responses. I read somewhere that you ("joe consumer") should think of your relationship to your Chimney Sweep as a partnership in good burning practices. That he/she is your teammate in ensuring that you are burning correctly and safely throughout the burn season. I like that thought.
So here's what I asked him:
"9/22/10
Dennis,
Sorry I couldn’t be here today, to meet with you. Perhaps THIS is the way to communicate. Thanks for taking a couple of minutes to read this, and answer these questions for me.
You’re a Licensed “Professional” with a ton of experience, and you’ve seen lots of different stoves, and set ups, and I value your thoughts……….
A) You’ll note that I pulled out the Flue Thermometer for your convenience during the cleaning process, ……..does the creosote on the probe (color, density, etc) tell you anything unusual or specific about the type of burning
that’s going on with our system? (Good, bad, or whatever)
B) You’ll of course note that I’m using two different thermometers on the
Body of the stove. This is so that I can find an “average” temp to work
From, when burning, for establishing a “cruising temperature” balance.
What do you think of their location? Any suggestions?
C) The wife can/will show you our wood supply and how it’s stored currently.
The tarps will go over the outside stacks completely in the winter, but for
Now are as you see them. Any thoughts on the storage technique? (Good,
Bad, or whatever)
D) Presuming you check the piping in the attic, as well as the rest of the system,
What can you tell me about what you see with regard to the set up, safety,
Condition, things to watch for……..etc…..so that I can be sure that the
Unseen portion of the system is “fine?”
E) Any thoughts or opinions about the setup in general? Proximity of items
In the living room to the stove, etc.? Just interested in any suggestions you
Might have, for safety sake.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for offering any advice you can. You, working with us as a team, can ensure that we have a safe and comfortable burning season. We value your expertise in this field.
By the way, I chose to remove all the ashes instead of leaving a ½ “ layer like I usually would leave in the firebox, just so that you could have as clean a system to work with, as possible.
-Steve"
-Soupy1957
BECAUSE I can't be here to talk with him, I prepared the following letter for him, and will be interested in his responses. I read somewhere that you ("joe consumer") should think of your relationship to your Chimney Sweep as a partnership in good burning practices. That he/she is your teammate in ensuring that you are burning correctly and safely throughout the burn season. I like that thought.
So here's what I asked him:
"9/22/10
Dennis,
Sorry I couldn’t be here today, to meet with you. Perhaps THIS is the way to communicate. Thanks for taking a couple of minutes to read this, and answer these questions for me.
You’re a Licensed “Professional” with a ton of experience, and you’ve seen lots of different stoves, and set ups, and I value your thoughts……….
A) You’ll note that I pulled out the Flue Thermometer for your convenience during the cleaning process, ……..does the creosote on the probe (color, density, etc) tell you anything unusual or specific about the type of burning
that’s going on with our system? (Good, bad, or whatever)
B) You’ll of course note that I’m using two different thermometers on the
Body of the stove. This is so that I can find an “average” temp to work
From, when burning, for establishing a “cruising temperature” balance.
What do you think of their location? Any suggestions?
C) The wife can/will show you our wood supply and how it’s stored currently.
The tarps will go over the outside stacks completely in the winter, but for
Now are as you see them. Any thoughts on the storage technique? (Good,
Bad, or whatever)
D) Presuming you check the piping in the attic, as well as the rest of the system,
What can you tell me about what you see with regard to the set up, safety,
Condition, things to watch for……..etc…..so that I can be sure that the
Unseen portion of the system is “fine?”
E) Any thoughts or opinions about the setup in general? Proximity of items
In the living room to the stove, etc.? Just interested in any suggestions you
Might have, for safety sake.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for offering any advice you can. You, working with us as a team, can ensure that we have a safe and comfortable burning season. We value your expertise in this field.
By the way, I chose to remove all the ashes instead of leaving a ½ “ layer like I usually would leave in the firebox, just so that you could have as clean a system to work with, as possible.
-Steve"
-Soupy1957
completely wrong but doesn't proper stack temps. play a big part in the lack of creosite buildup?
Thanks to one and all for helping us do it "right" and keep ourselves safe.
