woojr
ArboristSite Operative
At 69 with 3 back surgeries and arthritic hips climbing to the top of the chimney for cleanout is no longer a smart thing to do. My chimney is a masonry circa 1850 model with a 6" stainless alloy flexible liner. There is a cap with a screen that is open pretty wide at the top. It is about 24 feet from the T that smoke pipe enters rear of stove in front of the fireplace. I have a Hearthtstone soapstone stove 18 years old. I have used it as the primary heat source with excellent hardwoods here in S Jersey. Over the years, soot and creosote would build up at the top 5-6 feet and the cap. Much of the rest of the pipe naturally drops the flaking buildup to the bottom below the T. I drop the end cap and remove the flakes a couple times a year. The problem is that top section build up.
Here's my idea. I just ordered a lightweight 25 feet drain snake and plan to run it up the ally liner, spin it with a drill and see if it can open the top section. Previously I've used the wire brush made to fit the pipe with extension rods. The liner appears thick enough to handle some rattling around of the snake end. I haven't seen the snake yet. Supposed to be here tomorrow.
Any comments, thoughts, alternative methods of staying downstairs to clean this pipe?
Thanks for reading
Here's my idea. I just ordered a lightweight 25 feet drain snake and plan to run it up the ally liner, spin it with a drill and see if it can open the top section. Previously I've used the wire brush made to fit the pipe with extension rods. The liner appears thick enough to handle some rattling around of the snake end. I haven't seen the snake yet. Supposed to be here tomorrow.
Any comments, thoughts, alternative methods of staying downstairs to clean this pipe?
Thanks for reading