Chimney Sweeping Frequency for Anthracite?

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 7:54 am

I'm in my third winter heating season, and I haven't swept out the chimney yet. I was just wondering how often the rest of my anthracite burning friends on this forum find it necessary to have their chimney swept out.

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:06 am

The vertical I sweep twice per year, once in spring and once in fall. There is never a build up of fly ash in there though. The spring time is to minimize the ash available to react with humidity and the SS over the summer since i'd like to get another 20 some years of service out of it! The fall is to check for any critters that took up residence.

The horizontals get vac'ed out a 3 or4 times through the season. never really counted how many exactly since it is a quick poke with the vac wand through the baro opening at the end of the T.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:12 am

Larry, if you have never burned wood with that chimney the risk is minimal. With that said, after 3 years I think it would be good to sweep it and see what you get.

Post by **Lightning** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:18 am

I couldn't see any build up of fly ash in my vertical sections of chimney. Just some laying in the bottoms of horizontal sections. I suppose over many years, depending on the quantity of coal and the appliance, fly ash could build up in the vertical sections too. Maybe?

Rob, I just noticed yer pic looks like mine... Er I mean, mine looks like yers

That is a cool photo. You take it yourself?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:22 am

I do mine every year & don't need some sort of didactic break down, to tell me it's the wise thing to do--just common sense

Now there's a dying art.

Post by **Lightning** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:26 am

freetown fred wrote:I do mine every year & don't need some sort of didactic break down, to tell me it's the wise thing to do--just common sense Now there's a dying art.

Thanks for keeping things in perspective for us Fred

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:29 am

freetown fred wrote:I do mine every year & don't need some sort of didactic break down, to tell me it's the wise thing to do--just common sense Now there's a dying art.

Stainless chimney?

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:31 am

freetown fred wrote:didactic break down

is that something like a nervous break down?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:33 am

Exactly

Rob,you know better then that

double wall up top, attic & 6 foot above roof metal-- single black in living area & I sweep it every year--no pitting or anything negative topside--going on yr 4 with inside black pipe

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:56 am

I routinely clean my flue pipe, but the tile lined chimney has yet to see sweeping. I guess it will need a sweeping when I shut down for the boiler clean-out next time. My chimney has only ever seen use for oil boiler service in the past and coal boiler service currently. It has never been exposed to a wood fire.

Post by **Lightning** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 8:59 am

di·dac·tic /dīˈdaktik/ adjective
1. intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 9:50 am

I never said I knew what the word meant, I just kinda like the look of it! Thanx Lightning

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 9:57 am

yeah, the 'moral instruction' part of the definition was a dead give away that it was mis-applied....

Post by **franco b** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 10:06 am

Fred is an autodidact as are most members of this forum except when they learn from fellow members.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Nov. 17, 2013 10:36 am

And that franco b, is the outstanding part of it all here--my Grandfather used to say "if you don't learn something new on a daily basis, you'd best get your head out of your butt".