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Calling all chimney sweepers
So I moved into a new house that has a fireplace.
I'm told it hasn't been used in years and years and no one knows when it was last cleaned. I figure it should be cleaned before I use it, but I know nothing about cleaning a chimney. I am aware, however, that the local fire department will rent out equipment at what I'm sure is a very reasonable rate. My question: is this something I can do myself or is it best left to a pro? And if I hire a chimney sweep will they sing and dance like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins?
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Ralph 1985 300D Turbo, CA model 248,650 miles and counting... |
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Congrats on the house.
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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL |
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at my old cabin I had a rope attached to a brush that we would pull down the chimney to get out birds (and other criters) nests before each winter. later, I bought some special logs you burn in the box to dissolve the creosote, then pulled the brush down--it was like what I heard cleaning a bong is like--a lot of sludge on the brush. it isn't hard, but don't think you will get that creosote off (fire hazzard) with just the brush. i have no idea what professional chimney sweeps use, but the special log did the trick on my chimney (wood burning stove).
i will say do it, either way-my grandmother's brick chimney caught on fire because of creosote and it almost got the house. |
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#5
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John - what you heard cleaning a bong is like? And thanks for the congrats, Sid. We're still renting but it's a much nicer place.
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Ralph 1985 300D Turbo, CA model 248,650 miles and counting... |
#6
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Ya, I don't even know what a bong is, but I heard when you clean one, a bunch of nasty stuff is left behind. Sounds similar to my chimney experience
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#7
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You are probably best off having a chimney sweep do an inspection of the morter, flue liner... and do a cleaning the first go around.
You will loose net heat through a conventional fireplace wether you are burning at the time or not btw... best to cap it off or replace with a sealed firebox as far as energy efficiency goes.
__________________
-Marty 1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible (Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one) Reading your M103 duty cycle: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html |
#8
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Don't some fireplaces have a 'door' you can open and close that's near the bottom? I haven't looked to see if mine has this or not.
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Ralph 1985 300D Turbo, CA model 248,650 miles and counting... |
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That's the flue, and all fireplaces should have one. If your'n doesn't I would get the landlord to install one post haste, or your room heat will go straight up the , well, chimney.
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I'd hire someone to do it. When I bought our new (old) home, I had the fireplace checked out and chimney swept. This older and very entertaining character called the Chimney Doctor did the work. He was like a 70yr old version of one of Santa's elves. Sprightly and small, beard and all. He stayed over an hour, gladly accepted a rum and coke, and ended up fixing my flue for me as it was partly seized. It's an old fireplace and there's no way I could get parts for it. He had a bunch of antique parts in his truck and he custom fit/ground a new flue-rod for me.
Well worth the measley $80 or so he charged me.
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Chris 2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package 2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options 1998 E430 - sold 1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold 1977 280E - sold 1971 250 - retired "And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon |
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and if you are talking about a door actually inthe fireplace, that is where you can have outside access to remove the ashes.
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#12
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there are also 'heat chaneling'? pipes that use convection to help a conventional fireplace warm the room better... Post some pics when you get a chance... I am in the process of putting a wood stove into my existing hearth... and plan on posting about it sometime in the near future when I am further along.
__________________
-Marty 1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible (Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one) Reading your M103 duty cycle: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html |
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It may be a while before i can post pics. A while back I said I'd post some pics of my garden and since then I've loaded a couple of photos into photobucket for the purpose of posting them here. It takes forever because I have dial-up. But that may change soon.
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Ralph 1985 300D Turbo, CA model 248,650 miles and counting... |
#14
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Well it may be a little while before you want to light that first fire as well...
PSedit: Is the chimney on an outside wall of the house or central?
__________________
-Marty 1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible (Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one) Reading your M103 duty cycle: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html Last edited by A264172; 08-16-2006 at 03:16 PM. |
#15
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For some reason I want to go read a Dicken's novel now... Maroon300D, have you tried asking your landlord to have it cleaned? It's really in his/her interest to do so.
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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone |
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