Expert: Bart Ogden - 1/9/2005

Question
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Hi again Bart.  I noticed that where the stove pipe goes through the wall there is a gap between the shinney inside piece and the black outer piece.  I'm pretty sure the shinny piece is super insulated so as not to catch the wall on fire.  When I had the T pipe access door off to look inside the pipes, I could see right through from the inside to the outside.  What material can I use to seal this gap and where would I find it.  Obviously it would have to be a caulk or something that could handle the extreme temperature from the exhaust.  Thank you for taking your time to help me.

Jeff
Followup To
Question -
Hi Bart.  I have a woodburning stove whose chimney goes up from the top of the stove about 2', makes a 90 degree turn and goes through the outside wall.  Here it joins a T clean-out pipe.  It then goes about 15' to the top.  I'm thinking about purchasing a brush and rods and cleaning it out myself but I have a few questions.  First, what would you estimate the range of prices for having it professionally cleaned?  Second, if I'm going to do it myself, what size brush should I buy for a 6" flue, 6" or 7"?  Third, what is the correct procedure for me to follow?  Fourth, if I push the brush in from the outside, what's the best way for me to get the debris off of the smoke shelf, (I think tha't what it's called.  The area that has the wool material.)  And, fifth, how often should I replace this wool material.  I know I'm asking a lot but I'm new to this process.  Thank you.
Answer -
Hi Jeff,

You need the same size brush as the flue interior.

I don't know what pricing for cleaning would be in your area.  I would suggest going to www.csia.org to find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep in your area.

Your biggest challenge if you DIY is proper dust control.  Professional chimney sweeps use HEPA filtration vacuums. If someone comes in with a shop-vac, I wouldn't let them do the job.

Remove the wool before you sweep the chimney.

The wool needs replaced when it deteriorates.  That's a judgement call.

My advice?  Call a professional - it's a lot more involved than it looks, particularly with the dust control and inspecting for proper clearances.

Good luck, Happy Holidays and thanks for using AllExperts.Com!

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

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Unfortunately, I cannot advise on this without seeing it due to the location and the potential of putting the wrong materials in that location.

I would advise you to contact a Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org to look at this and advise you.

Sorry I couldn't help you with this one, but a local Certified Chimney Sweep could get you fixed up.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com