OT: Chimney Sweep, A little reminder Options

[Rhodes71/914]

Just a friendly reminder to those of you that have wood stoves or fireplaces. Tis the time of year to get your chimney/stove pipe cleaned. Did mine yesterday, top cap was full of soot and got a good amount of soot out of the pipe. One of the biggest dangers of heating with wood. Sure is cozy on those cold winter nights though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

sr

[SirAndy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) as a ex-chimney sweeper i can't emphasise enough how important that is.
if you use a wooden stove to heat your house in the winter, you should get it cleaned at least 3 times, better even 4 times a year.

if it's just your typical So-Cal fireplace, once a year is enough.

all the black soot that builds up is *unburned* carbon. if that ignites, it will swell up to 10 times the volume, closing off the top of the chimney!
and because a chimney fire will burn at some couple of 1000 deg. F, your chimney will crack inside the house and that'll be the end of it.

i have seen way too many chimney fires in my life ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Andy