Chimney Fire -
Neighbor/Buddy just called a bit ago. He had a chimney fire yesterday evening. He wants me to get my big extension ladder over to his house and remove his steel cap with integrated mesh.
It always seems I am the designated guy that gets to go up High. Not only because I have the largest/longest ladder, but not too afraid of heights. It is probably close to 3 stories up from the ground.
He wants to cut the mesh out and replace the cap. We discussed that whoever installed his (very nice) Woodstove, seemed to put the insert in, and do the masonary (rock) around it. He can not pull his woodstove out due to the elbow attached in the back. We both discussed that we were wanting to run a pipe from the top all the way down to the stove in order to increase efficiency and reduce/stop chimney fires.
Waiting for it to warm up some.
On my end, looks like the heating element is going out (or is gone) in my Heat pump. Runs a long time, puts out very little heat. Had it repaired a couple/three years ago. Was told they could not find a replacement heating element. Fixed via a "Sandwich splice." Hope it can be done again.
Ordered a new Quartz infrared heater yesterday. (My current unit has the same problem as my heat pump.) I've been told I can possibly buy replacement Quartz rods to repair. New one (more efficient) higher BTU's was only $95.
It always seems I am the designated guy that gets to go up High. Not only because I have the largest/longest ladder, but not too afraid of heights. It is probably close to 3 stories up from the ground.
He wants to cut the mesh out and replace the cap. We discussed that whoever installed his (very nice) Woodstove, seemed to put the insert in, and do the masonary (rock) around it. He can not pull his woodstove out due to the elbow attached in the back. We both discussed that we were wanting to run a pipe from the top all the way down to the stove in order to increase efficiency and reduce/stop chimney fires.
Waiting for it to warm up some.
On my end, looks like the heating element is going out (or is gone) in my Heat pump. Runs a long time, puts out very little heat. Had it repaired a couple/three years ago. Was told they could not find a replacement heating element. Fixed via a "Sandwich splice." Hope it can be done again.
Ordered a new Quartz infrared heater yesterday. (My current unit has the same problem as my heat pump.) I've been told I can possibly buy replacement Quartz rods to repair. New one (more efficient) higher BTU's was only $95.
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Have your contractor contact Warren Technology 305-556-6933. They used to be able to build any OEM aux heat strip that was out of production. I think they have mechanical drawings for every strip ever made.
I have used them a number of times over the years for systems the people didn't want to change out, but needed the strip to work.
As you probably already figured, it will cost a bit more than an OEM out of the box, and will probably take 2 to 3 weeks to get. You will need the model and serial number of your system.
You might call them, but I doubt they deal with end users,...probably contractors only.
http://www.warrenhvac.com/products/unitary-electric-heaters/0 -
Call a chimney sweep. If he doesn't burn a hot enough fire, the chimney won't get hot enough to keep the soot from condensing in it. Lining it may help some or it may just reduce the flue size and let it block up with soot quicker. Then you get CO concerns. He should have that chimney swept before every heating season. As far as pulling it out of the fireplace, sometimes you can reach in through the firebox and loosen those elbows. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
Have your contractor contact Warren Technology 305-556-6933. They used to be able to build any OEM aux heat strip that was out of production. I think they have mechanical drawings for every strip ever made.
I have used them a number of times over the years for systems the people didn't want to change out, but needed the strip to work.
As you probably already figured, it will cost a bit more than an OEM out of the box, and will probably take 2 to 3 weeks to get. You will need the model and serial number of your system.
You might call them, but I doubt they deal with end users,...probably contractors only.
http://www.warrenhvac.com/products/unitary-electric-heaters/
Thank you Marc1301. I greatly appreciate the # and link. Most appreciated.
-Ken-0 -
quote:Originally posted by notnow
Call a chimney sweep. If he doesn't burn a hot enough fire, the chimney won't get hot enough to keep the soot from condensing in it. Lining it may help some or it may just reduce the flue size and let it block up with soot quicker. Then you get CO concerns. He should have that chimney swept before every heating season. As far as pulling it out of the fireplace, sometimes you can reach in through the firebox and loosen those elbows.
Both of our chimneys are stone, they open up somewhat in diameter, much larger than a steel or SS pipe. Ive heard/been told that a smaller diameter (8" or so,) pipe keeps the temperature high enough to reduce condensation and accumulation.
We both keep very high temp (good dried hardwoods) fires going. If you remove my steel back plate, and pull out my very large Fisher Grandpa unit, you can get inside and almost stand up. Iv heard/been told that this reduces the chimney temp to such a degree that you get condensation and creosoote accumulation.
Spoke to my Buddy/Neighbor just now, about reaching in through the stove itself in order to loosen up/remove the elbow. The stove is a very high end Buck. Exhaust exits through the top via a "Catalytic series of baffles," sharp elbow from that goes back in to his chimney. Said they tried, and there was no way it was coming apart, from the inside.
I appreciate your thoughts and insight though.0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
quit burning green wood. Potato chips form..creosote..
Who said we were "burning green wood?"
My last post just indicated we were burning cured/dried hardwoods. Perhaps you missed that?
Current wood I am burning, has been drying/cured about 4-5 years now. All harwoods.0 -
His house, your ladder... his neck 0 -
Will have a couple Buddies around to hold ladder, provide assistance. We all try and help each other out as much as possible. I've been up to that cap about 4-5 times now over the last 6 years. I've got no problem doing it again.
I appreciate your concern, but it is nothing compared to a lot of past Construction, or Rock and Ice climbing I've done.
I'm not afraid of heights, and I know to be careful. Helping friends, is what it is all about.0 -
Lighting a chimney fire to clean it is one of the fastest ways to destroy the integrity of your masonary. 0 -
You WILL need to get access to the bottom of the chimney (Well, SOMEBODY will) Expect to have 2-3 paper grocery bags of black, foamy chips of burned creosote in there.
Burning it out gets it hot enough to calcine mortar (burn it) and concrete. Bad ju-ju. Get a GOOD chimney sweep.
We burn GOOD wood- White oak and hickory, 18-24 months dried. It will STILL produce creosote. If the flue temp is low (when stove is throttled way back for a long burn) that happens.
We have a wood burning hot air furnace. Every August I have my chimney guy scrub chimney. He gets about half his work from people that have had a chimney fire that damaged the flue. He rebuilds them. Lotsa $$$.0 -
quote:Originally posted by us55840
Only lived in one house that had a fireplace. Although never used it much, maybe 3 or 4 times per winter, about every two years went up on the roof in the summer and ran a 'chimney cleaning brush' thru the chimney.
Never had any issues but will never have a house again with a fireplace. PITA getting wood, hauling out ashes and dirty job cleaning the chimney. A regular maintenance chore I can live without.
[:)]
Conversely, I would not choose to live in a home without a woodstove. Emergency heat, or just the ambiance of a nice wood fire is without equal.
I had a home up North, with a wood burning furnace downstairs. Ducted throughout the house like a central air system. Basically, a wood stove inside another woodstove. On legs, large fan on the bottom. Front door equipped with an automatic damper to keep woodstove at the optimum temp. When thermostat indicated proper temp, fan would click on. It absolutely rocked. Best heating system I've ever had.
I would love to have/get another for my basement.0 -
I had a chimney fire several years ago in my old house using and old cast iron Franklin stove. From the stove to the ceiling was 8" black pipe hooked into double walled stainless going through the attic and out the roof.
I started noticing that the black pipe was beginning to turn red and I turned down the damper a bit. A short while later the pipe went to orange and I swear to this day that I could see through that pipe, almost like it became transparent![:0] I ran outside to see how the chimney pipe was acting and could see flames around the cap. Called the fire department who made it in less than 15 minutes.
They put down a big fire resistant mat in front of the fireplace and scooped out all of the burning logs, coals, and embers. Quickly rolled it all up and went out the door which was close by. Two men went up on my roof with axes.[:0] One stood ready while the other was down on his knees feeling for extreme heat around the pipe and on the shingles. Fortunately for me, there was no need to start busting up my roof!
From that day forward, my chimney got cleaned twice each season thereafter!0 -
I sweep mine myself every year whether it needs it or not. Also burn seasoned wood. Chimney is full missionary 12x12 square flue. Not a chance ever of a chimney fire. 0 -
Not only do I burn seasoned wood, I routinely add Anti-Creosote, and Creosote Remover. It may be a gimmick, but it makes me feel better.
YVMD.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
Not only do I burn seasoned wood, I routinely add Anti-Creosote, and Creosote Remover. It may be a gimmick, but it makes me feel better.
YVMD.
I have used it before and it makes buildup easier to remove.0 -
I set mine on fire at least once a year,,Having a cast iron heater/stove it happens,,especially if you burn much with the doors open using it like a fireplace,, I sweep mine a couple times a winter but if it catches fire its simple to put out,,shut the doors tight and close all the air off,,,NO AIR,,NO FIRE,,the chimney will go out in less than a minute.. happens to mine I just put it out and when it cools a little go up and run a brush down it. 
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a chimney fire will damage concrete mortar so one can simply pick the bricks off and toss them away... 0 -
Liking my gas fireplace more and more.. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by wpage
Liking my gas fireplace more and more..
We have both. I find myself using the gas more and more. Switch is easier than cutting splitting hauling wood.
Woodstove in the basement Open basement stairway lets it heat the house. Invaluable when we were powerless for 10 days.0 -
Once a week you should build a really hot fire using the wrappers from the weeks worth of Taco Bell taco wrappers. The grease from the mystery ?meat??? will help to burn away any residue in your chim chim. 0 -
our house in town has a gas insert that looks like flickering flames....LOTS SAFER 0
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