Chimney & Fireplaces/woodstove

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Expert: - 4/29/2008


Question
Hello,
 We have a Woodstock Soapstone stove and have used it for about 7-8 winters now. I have never used a sweep service, but I have climbed up onto the roof and dropped my Dad's 100-year old huge, weighty chain down to knock soot etc. from the inside of the pipe.  My husband has also used the spray (Red Devil, I think?)
We have had to replace the catalytic combuster twice and now it is falling down again - seems to break apart - and we are very careful about not getting the stove too hot.  Have you had any experiences with soapstone stoves?
Thank you
Marlene
Reno NV

Answer
Hi Marlene,

I'm not familiar with this particular stove, but all catalytic stovs operate similarly.

You should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER clean the flue in the manner you've described with the heavy chain.  It is very easy to damage the flue and compromise its integrity using this method.

See http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/Operation_Tips.html for operation tips on catalytic combustors.

You could be damaging the combustor in several ways.  With a soapstone stove, you could be overfiring it and not even realizing it.  I recommend a catalytic combustor thermometer to monitor the actual combustor temperatures.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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