DIY chimney sweeping

[left field]

Anyone do this?

There seem to be two options: a standard brush with semi-rigid fibreglass rods that you either push down from the roof or up from the stove. Think shotgun cleaning. Or a flex rod system with what looks like a weed whacker at the head that you attach to a drill. 

Priced about the same. The drill system seems like it might be more of a pain in the ass than the other. 

[SportsmanNH]

NOT ME ! I let the Chimney Sweeps do it on my properties.  You need 2 people to do it correctly if its real dirty . One on the roof with the brush and one inside at the bottom with the high powered vacuum so the soot dust doesn't spread .  Plus he inspects the liner or flu for cracks and leaks

[LET EM GROW]

Burlap sack filled with rocks, tied up with a rope, one person at the bottom catching and cleaning the soot, the other one "brushing" the pipe.. 

[left field]

So the options are:

1. professionals only
2. old-school that sumbitch

Got it.

[mowin]

2 minutes ago, left field said:

So the options are:

1. professionals only
2. old-school that sumbitch

Got it.

2.  My dad had a tow chain wired up in a ball with a long rope. He'd drag that thing up to the roof and run it down the flu several times.  

[Upstate Nerdneck]

1 hour ago, left field said:

Anyone do this?

There seem to be two options: a standard brush with semi-rigid fibreglass rods that you either push down from the roof or up from the stove. Think shotgun cleaning. Or a flex rod system with what looks like a weed whacker at the head that you attach to a drill. 

Priced about the same. The drill system seems like it might be more of a pain in the ass than the other. 

I do option #1.  Once in the fall before first fire, again around the end of December/New Year, snow on the roof dependent.  Usually again in Feb/Early March when the roof gets clear again. 

Once with the brush going in from top all the down to the bottom.  3 times up and down for every length of the fiberglass rods.

Then I do the same thing from the bottom.

Also take the pipe from the woodstove out and scrape it once a week.  I have an allergy to chimney fires.

[Nomad]

Are you talking a brick fire place chimney or a stove pipe off a wood stove ? The chimney is the most neglected part of a home . A chimney sweep will inspect the flu, cap, tiles, fire box, the bricks for scaling , repointing , and sealing ,the flashing , all the ductwork in the basement that ties into,it for proper pitch , draft and clearances ,and make sure it’s sealed up correctly.

The one I had inspect my daughters fireplace also went over house pressures, drafting , how to warm the chimney prior to the fire and a bunch more I forgot .

Edited May 22, 2023 by Nomad

[jperch]

This is a great topic.  I have a woodstove insert that is highly efficient and it is required that it be cleaned from the roof down.  The soot falls into an offset box.  I have had it done by a chimney sweep and that might be a good idea if you are just starting out.  When burning I like to clean my system every 6 weeks, depending on the snow on the roof.  My GF has a very similar system, same woodstove, but when I clean her flu there is essentially no soot.  Every set up is different.  I am getting at the point (almost 69) where I am not too comfortable climbing on the roof.  I have, over the last 25 years, had one chimney fire.  I had "inherited" a large quantity of seasoned cherry wood.  Despite being seasoned that cherry tends to be resinous and apparently that caused an early buildup of creosote.  At least that is what the fire department said.  There was no damage but it scared the Kr@# out of me!  (I did have the system inspected after that roman candle experience.)

[Buckmaster7600]

Brush with fiberglass pole. Do it once after the first couple fires, once mid winter and once at end of the year. I burn 3-5yr seasoned wood and never have hardly any buildup but still do it 3 times a year. 

[left field]

Woodstove. Straight run up maybe 18'.

The weed whacker seemed a little gimmicky, so maybe the traditional brush and rods. Would rather do it from below, but it makes sense the keep the stove closed, knock everything down and vacuum inside.

 

[Wolc123]

I have a straight up run, from a wood stove, with about 6 ft of steel stovepipe inside and another 6 ft of double wall stainless steel stovepipe outside.

Once a year (usually in the early fall), I remove the inside portion and tape a garbage bag to the round extension on the junction box up on the ceiling.  
 

I take the steel section outside and brush it out with a 6 ft long handled chimney brush.  I take the same brush up on the roof and use it on the stainless steel section.  
 

There is usually less than a quart of  creosote “sweepings” in the bag from the stainless 6 ft section, and always less than half of that from the inside steel section.

I’ve been doing it like that for over 20 years and never had a chimney fire. I burn only seasoned hardwood (about 90 % ash for the last 10 years), 6-8 face cords per year.  
 

The whole process takes me about 30 minutes.  While I’m up on the roof, I string an electric cord “heat-tape” in the gutter in front of the stove, all the way down the downspout, below grade.  
 

If I don’t do that, I get ice-sickles from the gutter, ice damn on the roof and roof leakage.  Installing the heat tape takes me another 15 minutes.  Add 15 minutes for cleanup, and getting the wood stove ready for winter is a one hour job.  That little stove easily heats our whole 2000 sq ft house.

[jperch]

I'll add that it's a good idea to wear a good mask or respirator, that fine particulate matter while brushing is nasty.

[left field]

Thanks, all. Of to HD to pick up the necessary gear.

[G-man]

A lined chimney ( metal)  do yourself. If its a brick / clay tile  chimney then id recommend a profesional as they wiĺl inspect for damages as well.   Moristure cracks tile and brick..  good metal lining and your good for decades cleaning yourself

[hueyjazz]

Stainless pipe is easy if it's straight.  Remove single wall down pipe and place into garbage bag to clean outside.  Use a sectional rod and poke a small hole in bottom of bag with pole end that takes ball which for stainless is plastic bristle.  Thread ball onto end and push slightly into inner triple wall pipe and then use duct tape to seal bag around triple wall pipe to contain debris.  Stroke back and forth but slowly move up and add sections of pipe as needed.  You will feel when you reach end due to lack of resistance but slow down when you think you are near the end, or you risk popping cap off.  Coming down still stroke back and forth removing sections as you go until you pop out of pipe.  Twist off bag and go outside.  Carefully retrieve ball and toss bag into trash.

Vacuum stove from top while single wall pipe is out but make sure it's a bagged vacuum or you will have black dust everywhere.

Frequency of cleaning is more dependent on hours of use, pipe layout and type of wood burned.  I always pull my single wall pipe off end of season and clean and always pull it off and inspect just before heating season.  You will be amazed at what can find their way in there.  Two cleans a year would be a minimum for most with any real use.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by hueyjazz