Chimney Caps & Fly Ash Build-Up

 
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Kielanders
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Post by Kielanders » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 1:54 pm

I used to burn with no chimney cap, now I've installed a new pipe system and want to use a cap on the system to protect the interior pipe from the elements.

Problem is, I'm getting a much more rapid build-up of fly ash that will require more cleanings. I've a very difficult roof to get on for cleaning, and it would be treacherous to attempt in winter. Past years have required 2 cleanings a year. Now, I appear to be looking at cleaning it every 2 months.

Does anyone know of either a chimney cap that will 'breath' better and allow more ash to escape, or a chimney brush & rod that will all making the 90 degree turn at the tee, to allowing cleaning from inside the house? Or, other suggestions would be welcome.

My chimney is a triple wall 6" I.D., with about a 24' run.

Thanks.


 
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 3:36 pm

Is there is some way of getting past the elbow and not clean that? I clean mine from the inside of my house but first I do this:

run a garbage bag or bread bag over the cleaning rod, poking that small hole in it and slide it up to the brush. Push the brush into the pipe. Tape the bag onto the outside of the pipe. clean the pipe and all the ashes will fall into the bag instead of into your house.

My Dad trimmed a nylon brush so it slides up and down his pipe easier. Not quite as clean but easier to do. That may allow you to make the bend for the elbow.

You may have to unhook your elbow to clean or maybe thats just not possible. I cant help you with the cap question.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 3:45 pm

Ditto on what W said:) Can't see where a different cap would make any difference. Do you have a MPD installed??? my fly ash only accumulates up to that point & removing the cap on my T allows me to brush to that point from the bottom--above that is good for the season--PS--saying a new pipe system does nothing as far as describing what you've done--T's, elbows, 90's, 45's??????????????????????????

 
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Kielanders
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Post by Kielanders » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 4:16 pm

Warminmn:

I like the bag idea for minimizing dust, thanks. I spent some more time looking online, and finally found this:

http://www.testersandtools.com/Wohler-Mini-Viper- ... l-8872.php

This may be my solution.

Freetown:

MPD at the stove collar, 8" section of straight single wall, Magic Heat Reclaimer, 45 degree elbow, BarroDamper (generally sealed closed), 12" section of single wall, 45 degree elbow into the triple wall/Tee. (digital camera on the fritz, or I'd send a photo)

I remember using a chimney cap for a couple of months around 3 years ago, and removed it because of the quick ash build-up (I'd forgotten that when I posted).

I'm thinking that dropping the dime on the expensive Wohler/Viper Chimney Snake is the way to go. I just spent a couple of hours searching and stumbled across it by luck.

 
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 5:13 pm

Id want a poly brush with it if your running a metal chimney and I see they have them available. Its made in Germany which is usually a good sign. Kind of expensive. Wait and see if someone else has another idea.

And I believe you are burning sub bit if my memory is right. I know some have trouble with caps plugging burning bit. Cap or not, clean it very often since you have a 6" chimney. Soot could fill it up fast.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 5:21 pm

Can you reach it with a telescoping pole with a chimney brush?

 
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Post by Kielanders » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 5:55 pm

Lightning:

I have the 4' fiberglass extensions from Rutland, with enough sections to reach the cap to brush the spark arrester screen. It'll be a little flimsy at that length, but it will probably be sufficient. I burn almost no wood, so the only build-up should be ash.

Warminmn:

Yep, it's sub-bit, we have to burn about a ton per month. Yeah, the brush is spendy, but once I saw the 'Made in Germany' label it made sense. Still, the only other option would be renting a manlift once every couple of months, which isn't cheap either - and may not be an option in the heavy snow.

On the upside, they say the real winter weather is going spend its time with you guys again this year, and ours should be mild again like last year.

I don't know how you folks live in a place like that down there.

...way to cold for me. :)
Last edited by Kielanders on Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 6:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.


 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 5:58 pm

I would be tempted to hit it with the garden hose from the ground.. :lol: But water may run down the pipe and have a bad result.

 
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Post by freetown fred » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 5:58 pm

Ahhhh, burnin Bit--that explains mucho :) in that case, there probably is no simple fix except going at it from the bottom. If you'd fill out your profile with what coal your using, be easier to give suggestions:) K, ya got an awful lot of THINGS going up to your triple wall???????

 
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Post by warminmn » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 7:37 pm

Kielanders wrote:Lightning:

I have the 4' fiberglass extensions from Rutland, with enough sections to reach the cap to brush the spark arrester screen. It'll be a little flimsy at that length, but it will probably be sufficient. I burn almost no wood, so the only build-up should be ash.

Warminmn:

Yep, it's sub-bit, we have to burn about a ton per month. Yeah, the brush is spendy, but once I saw the 'Made in Germany' label it made sense. Still, the only other option would be renting a manlift once every couple of months, which isn't cheap either - and may not be an option in the heavy snow.

On the upside, they say the real winter weather is going spend its time with you guys again this year, and ours should be mild again like last year.

I don't know how you folks live in a place like that down there.

...way to cold for me. :)
I hope you clean the chimney with the stove out because with all those angles I can just picture a rod breaking and leaving your brush dangling half way up your chimney. You may be able to make a better rain cap from a wide hubcap and raise it up a little higher too. That would prevent plugging up.

If every winter was like the last one, plus our cool summer, I might as well live in Alaska. Its crossed my mind a few times. I could handle the temps, its the darkness I'd have trouble with.

 
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Post by Kielanders » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 7:55 pm

Warminmn:

The stovepipe between the stove and the wall tee can be detached and cleaned, so that's no problem - I just needed a good way to navigate the 90 degree angle at the tee, so I can get up the stack.

No doubt surviving MN winters qualifies you to be up here, if the lack of daylight bothers you winter might get old for you pretty quick.

Thanks.
Last edited by Kielanders on Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 9:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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Post by Lightning » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 8:05 pm

How short do the days get for you?

 
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Post by freetown fred » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 8:12 pm

K, is there any way you could block the stove up? I'd love to see pix if you get that camera straightened out maybe some thoughts could come out of it.

 
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Post by coalder » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 8:22 pm

K, is it al all possible that simply by raising the cap say at least 4 inches it might allow less restricted flow? And is it at all possible that your inner pipe has become perforated a bit, therefore losing velocity?? To my understanding, bit is somewhat more corrosive than anthracite.? Just food for thought.
Jim

 
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Post by Kielanders » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 9:27 pm

Right now I'm working on getting my wife to take-over chimney cleaning duties - problem solved right there. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Lightning:

Short days don't bother me, although in fall we can get periods where it rains for a couple weeks straight - the constant rain depresses the s%#t out of me.

Freetown:

I'm not sure what you mean by 'block it up' (literally raise the stove on blocks?), but I will work on getting a couple of photos this week.

JF:

The pipe is brand-new stainless triple-wall insulated, the wall in the home hasn't been closed-up, the sections are connected tight - so I'm thinking that it's not leaking, but I'll double check the connections between sections. It was burning with great draft a couple of months ago when new, and I had this problem once before replacing the system - that time, removing the chimney cap made the diff.

I like the idea of finding a chimney cap with a taller profile.

About bit being more corrosive; I installed a stainless flexible single wall liner 3 years ago in our old masonry chimney, and when I removed it to install this new system a couple months ago, the liner looked amazing inside and new on the outside. We burn about 320 days a year, so that's some milage in 3 years.

Chimney Pipe:

http://www.ventingpipe.com/duravent-6dp-36-6-inne ... h/p2476625

Chimney Cap:

http://www.ventingpipe.com/duravent-6dp-vc-6-inne ... r/p2476655


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