Just had my chimney cleaned for the year. I have a Jotul freestanding stove with a pipe that runs up through an old chimney. I've had the stove for about four years now and I have had the installers clean it every summer. The guys who cleaned it said that it was all ash in the pipe and it was really clean. I know I have heard recommendations that I have it cleaned every year and of course the recommend it. Once it gets cold I burn my stove every day for at least 1/2 of the day. Is it safe to have it cleaned every other year?
Stove pipe sweep every year?
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When I install a stove, I tell most customers this: It is best to have your chimney swept at least once a year for the first few years, and you'll begin to see a pattern. You may be able to get by with every other year if your burning habits or firewood do not change drastically. You can also keep an eye on things yourself, watch the chimney cap and notice any buildup there. Depending on the model, most Jotul stoves have some sort of access so that you can see up the chimney with a mirror and a light if you dont feel comfortable on the roof looking down. I generally won't sweep a chimney if I can see the seams in the inside of the chimney pipe.
Particle Man said:
I personally can not/will not get on my roof to check it, I have a very tall and steep roof. The way my stove was installed you have to unscrew the pipe and pull the stove out for them to get inside to clean the pipe from the bottom. So, I don't think using a mirror would work with my setup, although I wish it would. I would love to be able to see in there. They have never said that there was a big build up in my pipe, which I guess means I am burning efficiently and that is good. I would love to save the 120.00, but not if it means my house burns down!
Keep in mind that year over year, the fuel you're burning is not consistently the same, so one year your chimney may stay clean as a whistle, then the next year, with different wood, it may not. Seems to me to be cheap insurance to have an annual sweep/check-up. Rick
I clean my 8" ss flue every year . I never get more then a cup full of stuff out . I burn hot 24/7
If my old memory works then this will be your third or fourth season with that stove. Skip one and see how it looks. If you have been burning that clean you ain't gonna burn that cute house down.
PS: Glad to see ya back. It's been a while.
PS: Glad to see ya back. It's been a while.
I havent even thought about sweeping yet is that something we do ourselves . At my old gf s house she always had it done every year . Can I do it myself
I've swept and inspected more chimneys than I'd care to count. My textbook answer to your question is a reference to NFPA-211 2006 edition , which recommends sweeping and/or inspecting every flue in use, at least once per year. A professional should be able to detect and remedy problems beyond just determining whether a flue needs to be swept. I look for leakage/breaches/settling/water intrusion/animals/smoke stains/clearances/appliance condition and lots more. Having said that, I have a number of customers whose flues get swept every other year, and many who have their flues visually inspected in-between. If your flue is capped, and you are satisfied that it is in good working order, look for the presence of creosote greater than 1/4 inch thick.If you have that have your system swept.If you don't have deposits greater than that, you can probably go longer.
blackgooseJT
blackgooseJT
A co-worker had a wood stove for 30+ years.
And he had it cleaned annually. The guy's anal retentive, so I know he isn't lying about that part.
After his 2nd chimney fire, the wood stove got yanked, and in went the coal stove.
Consider that if you want to save the $100.
And he had it cleaned annually. The guy's anal retentive, so I know he isn't lying about that part.
After his 2nd chimney fire, the wood stove got yanked, and in went the coal stove.
Consider that if you want to save the $100.
Good to see you again Nokoni. I was in the same situation. Every year I would have the guy out and he barely pulled anything out of the pipe. I started inspecting my self and eventually went 5 years without a cleaning. 4 with the 602 and one with the F3CB. When I took down the stack during the remodel it was still very clean. Just a little light fluffy stuff at the top. Less than 1/8" thick. If you burned dry wood last year, I too would consider skipping a year between cleaning.
Good to see you again Nokoni. Has it already been 4 years since your installation! Wow, time flies.
I was in the same situation. Every year I would have the guy out and he barely pulled anything out of the pipe. I started inspecting my self and eventually went 5 years without a cleaning. 4 with the 602 and one with the F3CB. When I took down the stack during the remodel it was still very clean. Just a little light fluffy stuff at the top. Less than 1/8" thick. If you burned dry wood last year, I too would consider skipping a year between cleaning.
I was in the same situation. Every year I would have the guy out and he barely pulled anything out of the pipe. I started inspecting my self and eventually went 5 years without a cleaning. 4 with the 602 and one with the F3CB. When I took down the stack during the remodel it was still very clean. Just a little light fluffy stuff at the top. Less than 1/8" thick. If you burned dry wood last year, I too would consider skipping a year between cleaning.
BrotherBart said:
Yes, this will be my fourth burning season. Hey, it's good to be back, I knew that you guys would be here for me!
BeGreen said:
Yes, we are all four years older and wiser right? My stove has saved me so much in natural gas bills it's unbelievable. I still use my natural gas some since I can't really burn all day. I have cut my usage of gas in half at least. Hey, whatever happened to Elkimeg?
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