When should I sweep my chimney?

[LONDONDERRY]

First off I want to thank everyone of this forum for all the good advice, its a great spot.
Now the question.
I guess from reading through too many posts I'm have some fear of a chimney fire being instilled in me. I installed a Napolean insert in October, for the first 2 weeks I ran the stove to low in temps about 350 to 400, hence I got some glazed creosote at the top. Through alot of advice I now run the stove at tops 600 to 500 and sometimes 700. I do the morning quick hot fire burns everyday, so my stay at home wife tells me. I use the pixy magic spray and some power ceosote remove every now and then. Its been 2 months and I was thinking of sweeping the chimney, but before I do I wanted to ask if I should just wait until the early spring time or shuld I do it now. Beofe everyone says yes or no here is my delima

The flue size is 6 x 9 tile and there not stacked evenly one on top of another in my chimney, so I COULD NOT run a full s.s. liner all the way from the stove to the top. I was able to ovalize 6-7 feet of the felx liner and shove it up into the chimney which is 15 ft long. So cleaning and sweeping are going to be a bear of a task to do. I basically have to remove the stove out of the hearth. So now you cna answer my question.

Thannks
Frank

 

[Jukeboxfun]

Sweep it. Then you'll get an idea of how fast the creosote is building up. Also you won't have to worry any more.

 

[Todd]

Nothing wrong with a mid season sweep for peace of mind.

 

[pen]

by being ovalized you may have a problem with using a traditional poly brush.

I have heard of people using a burlap bag stuffed with tire chains and old rags. Because of your shape you may need to be creative like that as well.

pen

 

[BrotherBart]

Take a look at it from the top and the bottom. Shine a flashlight down from the top and see what you see as far as accumulation. Take the stove baffle out and with a flashlight and mirror see how things look in the flex piece.

 

[bruce]

today!

 

[Pagey]

An inspection would help to give you an idea of where you're at. I was nervous about my first inspection. Once I got up on the roof I was surprised that all I had was about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of light, brown flaky stuff. I was accustomed to the coal scuttle of black, crispy creosote that came out of my grandmother's flue when she had the old Fisher installed and let fires smolder all day and night.

But until you do that first inspection and/or cleaning, it will nag at the back of your mind. Once you've done it, you'll feel a sense of satisfaction and peace of mind.

 

[mranum]

I was nervous too when after I talked with a neighbor and his was caked, so I took a mirror and a flashlight and shined up from the bottom. Mine is a straight shot with no curves or anything and 14' high so it was easy to look at. I found I could see every seam and joint in the pipe through the brown ash on the sides and right at the top I could see some black buildup up there. I felt a little better then. I'll clean it but when I get around to it. Nothing urgent.

 

[Pagey]

I was nervous too when after I talked with a neighbor and his was caked, so I took a mirror and a flashlight and shined up from the bottom. Mine is a straight shot with no curves or anything and 14' high so it was easy to look at. I found I could see every seam and joint in the pipe through the brown ash on the sides and right at the top I could see some black buildup up there. I felt a little better then. I'll clean it but when I get around to it. Nothing urgent.

This is what I did until I had reliable roof access. It's a little more difficult to wriggle around in the firebox and get things just right to see, but it's better than sitting there with absolutely no idea what things look like. ;-)