The results (of my first chimney sweep) are in!

[NH_Wood]

Hi all,

Last year was my first full year burning. 100% wood heat and moved about 5 cord through the Mansfield. Decided to have my first sweep done by a pro, so I could see how my results (creosote levels, etc.) compared with other burners. I burned mainly 9 month seasoned white ash, with a little mix of other 1.5 year seasoned wood. I burned hot, which was almost impossible not to do (she runs hot even with the primary closed). Anywho, only a very thin layer of fine brown powder (could almost blow it off, rather than brush) in my stovepipe, and my masonry liner only had a very thin layer of black - creosote, yes, but very, very little, as if a very thin layer of black paint was on the tile's interior. I was very happy since I am venting the stove into an 11"square masonry tile liner which also services the fireplace on the opposite side of the hearth. I thought I might have problems with draft (no worries there - drafts like a champ - probably a tad to good) and gases cooling in the over-sized flue causing excess creosote - not an issue either. Starting this year, I'm burning 3 year seasoned wood, and from there on, I'm 4 years ahead, so wood will only get better. Don't see any creosote problems in my future. Now to buy a 12"square flat wire brush and I'll be doing the work myself.

Cheers!

Edit - by the way - any thoughts on why he might have recommended a flat wire brush, rather than the standard wire?

Edit2 - just found out: apparently the flat wire does better at scraping glazed creosote, which is what I was producing - a thin, very smooth glaze layer - so....I guess I'll go with the flat wire.

 

[rdust]

I was very happy since I am venting the stove into an 11"square masonry tile liner which also services the fireplace on the opposite side of the hearth.

I didn't think this was up to code it most areas? I assume you don't burn both at the same time but still doesn't seem like a good idea if you ever have a chimney fire for some reason. I would personally drop a liner in for the stove and stop using the fireplace.

 

[NH_Wood]

I don't use the two at the same time. Usually burn the fireplace for fun in the fall/spring, before and after the real heating season. It's a beautiful oversized fireplace - there's no way I'm dropping a liner and taking away the possibility of using it. And, as I indicated, all is well. Cheers!

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

Congrats on the report from your sweep, good news to work on. Also, as Rdust had said, I raised an eyebrow as well when I heard of your setup with the outside hearth. If it works for you and doesn't create any issues, go with it.

 

[NH_Wood]

Congrats on the report from your sweep, good news to work on. Also, as Rdust had said, I raised an eyebrow as well when I heard of your setup with the outside hearth. If it works for you and doesn't create any issues, go with it.

Thanks - perhaps I'm still not being clear. I have an interior masonry chimney - the stove is in the kitchen and taps into the flue, just above the smoke shelf. The fireplace is on the opposite side, in the living room. Wasn't sure what you meant by 'outside hearth', so wanted to clarify. Cheers!

 

[rdust]

I don't use the two at the same time. Usually burn the fireplace for fun in the fall/spring, before and after the real heating season. It's a beautiful oversized fireplace - there's no way I'm dropping a liner and taking away the possibility of using it. And, as I indicated, all is well. Cheers!

My main concern is new burners reading this and thinking it's an acceptable/approved method. I hope you never have a chimney fire or need to make an insurance claim because of it since I'm sure it wouldn't pass inspection.

 

[NH_Wood]

Yes, at first I was concerned as well and I'm not suggesting anyone not follow code for their area. I also hope for no chimney fire, and I think I'll be good to go, as no creosote should = no chimney fire. Cheers!

 

[DexterDay]

Sounds like you had a great 1st yr. But 2 appliances in one flue is not a good idea. If either one gets a down-draft CO will enter your home. I know you say its all good. But I would line the chimney to your Mansfield and forget about the fireplace. Or maybe you could shove a liner down to the stove and still use the fireplace.

We have had a fireplace for years. With the addition of the woodstove. I dont think we will use it. Maybe on X-mas or New years. But if I want heat. I will Fire up the wood or pellet stove.


Safety 1st. . . Everyone does there own thing. If you did this for 10 yrs and all is good. But just being the 2nd year. Did the Chimney sweep make any comments?

Not trying to put you down. Everyone's set-up is different. Maybe it works great and there is no chance for any CO to be returned in your home. But installing about a half dozen pellet stoves, my wood stove, and everything I have read on here. 1 Appliance per Chimney.

Anyways. Sounds like its burning awesome. Sounds like your looking forward to this Winter as much as I am.

Cheers.....

 

[BrotherBart]

Edit2 - just found out: apparently the flat wire does better at scraping glazed creosote, which is what I was producing - a thin, very smooth glaze layer - so....I guess I'll go with the flat wire.

Not good.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

Hi all,

I was very happy since I am venting the stove into an 11"square masonry tile liner which also services the fireplace on the opposite side of the hearth.

My BAD NH, saw the post again and saw opposite side and thought outdoors.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

But installing about a half dozen pellet stoves, my wood stove, and everything I have read on here. 1 Appliance per Chimney.



Cheers.....

Dex, question. My flue has two appliances running through it like NH. My flue was approved by my inspector becuase the clay liner was shared space by two independent liners. One services my wood stove (SS insulated) and the second is a vent (aluminum) for a hot water heater. Same type of application??

 

[maxed_out]

NH, +1 congrats on the chimney sweep. Sounds like you doing it right.

 

[NH_Wood]

Edit2 - just found out: apparently the flat wire does better at scraping glazed creosote, which is what I was producing - a thin, very smooth glaze layer - so....I guess I'll go with the flat wire.

Not good.

BB - why is the flat wire not good? You think normal wire is better? Just want a good handle on brush type before I spend the cash.
Cheers!

 

[NH_Wood]

Sounds like you had a great 1st yr. But 2 appliances in one flue is not a good idea. If either one gets a down-draft CO will enter your home. I know you say its all good. But I would line the chimney to your Mansfield and forget about the fireplace. Or maybe you could shove a liner down to the stove and still use the fireplace.

We have had a fireplace for years. With the addition of the woodstove. I dont think we will use it. Maybe on X-mas or New years. But if I want heat. I will Fire up the wood or pellet stove.


Safety 1st. . . Everyone does there own thing. If you did this for 10 yrs and all is good. But just being the 2nd year. Did the Chimney sweep make any comments?

Not trying to put you down. Everyone's set-up is different. Maybe it works great and there is no chance for any CO to be returned in your home. But installing about a half dozen pellet stoves, my wood stove, and everything I have read on here. 1 Appliance per Chimney.

Anyways. Sounds like its burning awesome. Sounds like your looking forward to this Winter as much as I am.

Cheers.....

DexterDay - the damper for the fireplace is always closed when the stove is running, so no chance of a downdraft through the fireplace. I don't think I could use the fireplace if there was a liner, since I wouldn't be able to sweep the masonry liner once the SS was inside. I'm fine with everyone's concerns - always better safe than sorry - I'm not taking any criticism as put downs - no worries! Cheers!

 

[BrotherBart]

It isn't the brush. It is the glaze creosote. It never should be there. That fireplace is letting cool air into the flue causing the glaze. You need to get a liner in that flue connected to that wood stove.

At the very least start using something like Anti-Creo-Sote until you get that thing lined. Besides the fact that the tile flue is way too big, the air incursion from the fireplace is trouble just waiting to happen. I lived with and fought glaze creosote and small chimney fires for decades. Lined those chimneys and now all that comes out is a little soot.

 

[DexterDay]

But installing about a half dozen pellet stoves, my wood stove, and everything I have read on here. 1 Appliance per Chimney.



Cheers.....

Dex, question. My flue has two appliances running through it like NH. My flue was approved by my inspector becuase the clay liner was shared space by two independent liners. One services my wood stove (SS insulated) and the second is a vent (aluminum) for a hot water heater. Same type of application??

2 liners is 2 flues. Yes its in one chimney. But they are seperate. No problem there. I would say to the OP to get a small insert and Jam Two 5" liners. Probably not feasible. But if your taking all precautions when burning like you say (closing damper) and everything passed inspection. Then ok. Again. Sounds like its burning good in your pipe and semi good in your actual chimney. This years wood should be better, you say. So better results. Good luck.

 

[NH_Wood]

It isn't the brush. It is the glaze creosote. It never should be there. That fireplace is letting cool air into the flue causing the glaze. You need to get a liner in that flue connected to that wood stove.

At the very least start using something like Anti-Creo-Sote until you get that thing lined. Besides the fact that the tile flue is way too big, the air incursion from the fireplace is trouble just waiting to happen. I lived with and fought glaze creosote and small chimney fires for decades. Lined those chimneys and now all that comes out is a little soot.

BB - okay......got it. Even a VERY thin layer of glaze is really bad? The sweep indicated everything looked real good - the glaze was only about 3 or 4 feet down from the top of the chimney, and then you could see normal masonry liner. With only two passes of the flat wire brush, the glaze was basically gone. Cheers!

 

[remkel]

Glad to hear everything is going well on the other side of town.....

 

[NH_Wood]

Glad to hear everything is going well on the other side of town.....

Absolutely Remi! Hope the Firelight is working well for you - bet you can't wait to get that beast humming! Cheers!

 

[pen]

As BB warned, that's the worst kind of creosote in the worst kind of chimney setup.

Address that second opening leak and with the good wood you should be better, not great!

Check that chimney often through the season as well. BTW, are the tiles nice and solid? Any cracks?

pen

 

[BrowningBAR]

As BB warned, that's the worst kind of creosote in the worst kind of chimney setup.

Address that second opening leak and with the good wood you should be better, not great!

Check that chimney often through the season as well. BTW, are the tiles nice and solid? Any cracks?

pen

Wait, I should be using a condom when burning?

 

[NH_Wood]

Pen - tiles look solid, but I've not seen the tiles all the way to the bottom. Good to know that the glaze is the worst type of creosote - I'll be more cautious. If, after 5 cord, there was only a minimal glaze, is it likely or unlikely that a fire would result? I've always had a picture in my mind of what a bad creosote problem would look like - thick buildup which could catch fire and maintain an intense fire. As I've said, it was my first season burning full time, so thought all seems well. Perhaps I can get on my roof tomorrow and see if I can get some pics.

By the way, if I did line the chimney, would it be okay to have an occasional fire in the fireplace, and allow the gases to exhaust around the liner? I'm assuming not, but I'd only have about 10 or so fires per year, so figured there might not be enough buildup to worry about. Cheers!

 

[pen]

Wait, I should be using a condom when burning?

I wondered if I should have further edited that pic! But I knew it'd make a point

pen

 

[pen]

Pen - tiles look solid, but I've not seen the tiles all the way to the bottom. Good to know that the glaze is the worst type of creosote - I'll be more cautious. If, after 5 cord, there was only a minimal glaze, is it likely or unlikely that a fire would result? I've always had a picture in my mind of what a bad creosote problem would look like - thick buildup which could catch fire and maintain an intense fire. As I've said, it was my first season burning full time, so thought all seems well. Perhaps I can get on my roof tomorrow and see if I can get some pics.

By the way, if I did line the chimney, would it be okay to have an occasional fire in the fireplace, and allow the gases to exhaust around the liner? I'm assuming not, but I'd only have about 10 or so fires per year, so figured there might not be enough buildup to worry about. Cheers!

Nope, can't use that fireplace since there would be no way to clean the outside of the liner unless there were room for two liners and a way to connect one to that fireplace.

I'd suggest a propane unit in that fireplace for occasional use if you want it for extra heat or else move the wood burning appliance up to that level.

As for looking down the chimney I use a 2million candle watt power cordless spotlight. If you don't have one perhaps you can secure a small corded light onto the extension cord and let it down. It's easier to see down the chimney at dusk or at night.

pen

 

[BrotherBart]

I have some problems with that sweep if he left us to tell you about stage 3 creosote. There are only three stages and glaze is stage 3. If you doubt my experience with it then look at my chimney the last season before I lined it. Before I installed the liner I intentionally set this stuff off and it ain't something you want to see.