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Chimney & Fireplaces/does my chimney need a cleaning & insulation too

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Expert: - 11/11/2007


Question
I had an wood burner installed into my fire place in 1999 by the company I bought it from. I burn approx 3 cords a year. very dry hard wood with hot fires and creosote remover spray.   I check my porcelan lined chimney every year with a strong flash light from the top and it looks pretty darn clean from 25 feet up. I've never had it cleaned.  I inquired with a local chimney sweep.  He asked me several questions but in short he told me that the code is that It should be insulated the hole way up.  I get the feeling he will use the leverage of turning me in or I can pay him to insulate a 25' chimeny .  I already had it installed once professionally Does it need cleaning and does it need insulation. The elbow inside the chimney that attaches to the burner is only about 3 feet long.

Answer
Jim,

Provided you still have the manufactures installation instruction, read their requirements for service. You will most likely find them calling for as often as twice monthly for inspection of the connector for creosote build up. The NFPA-211 requires it being inspected annually and sweeping if necessary. As for the insulation, I believe you are asking about a positive connection or a liner system the connects to the appliance and extends all the way to the top of the chimney structure. I would concur that this is the best policy for optimizing the efficiency potential of your appliance. The manufacture may have allowed the type of installation you currently have at the time of purchase, but the industry standards have abandoned that way of thinking a few years ago. To service your appliance as it is now, the heavy unit must be removed from the firebox for an effective job. If reinstalled as noted above, you will be able to leave it in for service. I always recommend a complete NFPA-211, level II inspection prior to moving ahead. Good luck.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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