Chimney's cleaning & Safety

[Jeff Silvey]

Thought I would bring this back to the top sense its getting that time of the year.
Be SAFE.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Thanks for the reminder, it is that time of year, and I had not thought about it yet. As I get older I have gotten smarter (or maybe lazier). My chimney goes up the outside of my house, and stands about 5 feet above the roof. It has a clean out at ground level and another about 4 feet up that allows me to use a flexible rod on the brush and clean it from ground level. No getting on the roof for this old geezer. Needless to say, it gets cleaned more frequently set up that way.

[leerenovations]

Ill throw a little firefighter knowledge in here. If you request it, we will usually come out and inspect it for free or a small donation. We have a rod with chains on it that we run down the chimney and break up all the creosote. First step, close the damper and limit oxygen to the fire. Don't open the front of the stove. Call 911 immediately , we carry some small bags of what we call chimney bombs ( its a mix of a lot of stuff but mostly baking soda and a little purple k mixed in). We either drop it in from the top down or throw it in the open stove or fireplace and let the convection carry it up. But always call the fire department!!!!!! It may have overheated metal , or broken loose mortar and let fire extend into the structure itself. We carry thermal imagers and can look for fire extension without opening up walls. The extended fire can smolder for a long time then end up in you losing your home when you aren't expecting it. In fact, in a lot of states is is actually a crime to not call the fire department if you have a fire in the house. Because even if you put out visible flames, there still may be fire hiding in the walls. Most balloon frame home we have had burn, started from a small kitchen fire that the homeowner put out, but the hidden flames went up inside the wall and ignited a large fire in the attic. Please call us, we wont get mad. We don't ever like seeing someone lose their home and possesions.

[Jeff Silvey]

well it is getting colder. Everyone loves a good fire on a cold night. Just remember Safety first. Clean the chimneys.

[Eugene]

Do the creosote reducing/eliminating chemicals, added to the stove fire, from the hardware stores work and to what extent?

[Jeff Silvey]

BTTT.
Its getting that time of the year.

I know this is an older post but it might help folks from tragic.
Stay Safe.

[mozer71]

Thanks. This information is fresh again. First clean out the bird nest and stuff.