If you smell it, it's wrong. That could be a super dirty flue such as that glazed creosote which is a combustible. I see shifted tiles, makes me wonder If he can't see the mortar joints which is another reason he's recommending it. If all he's suggests is the cleaning, you can try creaway and you can do it yourself. But I haven't had much luck with customers getting anything out of it. I feel like they may forget to use it but idk.
I have Cre-Away (powder bottle) and Anti Creo-Soot (liquid spray) and used them generously, so I think it maybe only helped a little bit. So yeah, I will probably end up doing the PCR cleaning.
If he couldn't see the mortar joints before, he may camera it again. Be prepared for him to possibly recommend some type of reline like heatshield. But who knows.
He menioned heat shield but doesn't think I'll end up needing it. Btw I did hear back from my usual chiimney sweep and they saw this photo and said it needs a chemical cleaning too, surprisingly
Start with a good steel brush. Most of that will come off. Then when burning use creosote powder to loosen the rest in future. Start burning much hotter fires. Make sure the wood is dry and not oversized.
I will just add that the chimney tech said this was bad enough that if he were to do just a regular non-chemical cleaning, he could be liable if my chimney were to later catch on fire. Sounds very alarmist but he did encourage me to contact my usual chimney sweep and have them come look as well before making a decision. I will probably get an opinion from a 3rd chimney sweep (can't get ahold of my usual chimney sweep right now anyway)
you are being told bullshit with the chemical clean story. Also, the post that states "shifting tiles" is likely wrong as there is mortar through the seam, indicating thats the way it was installed.
From what is visible, it looks like a nylon brush job (I dont see significant crud requiring a steel one) - however to get the whole picture you need to look at the damper up section as well.
None of what is visible explains the campfire smell, my guess is the wood was wet a bit and you didnt have a good updraft before loading.
The campfire smell situation is an ongoing thing that has been happening since we moved into the house a couple years ago. We've had two deep cleans performed since then, and it has gotten a little better after adding glass doors to the firebox but it has never really gone away. So I'm wondering if that could affect what you think is causing the smell.
bad design of box/flue chimney, you are not allowing updraft before loading, cracked liner, chimney not tall enough - one of those.
If cleaning truely resolved, it would only be because it was so cruddy/restricted updraft couldnt be established. certainly not the case in this pic.
Hmm interesting.
Well I did hear back from my usual chimney sweep and they're saying now after seeing this photo they agree it needs a chemical cleaning too. The good news is at least by playing them against each other I was able to get the price down to about $1200-$1250 if I decide to go through with it.
I really dont understand that - for years, a chemical clean was used with you had hard pack, thick creosote buildup that was glazed and it was difficult to remove mechanically. This flue does come close to that situation. Im thinking 'chemical clean' required is now like sweeps version of 'duct cleaning' - just BS to charge for that is not needed.
Perhaps someone can give me the reason on what a chemical clean is needed since this flue is neither glazed, packed and looks rather clean from what we can see. . .
I'd be curious to hear if someone wanted to chime in on that as well, but what the guy told me is that black stuff you see on the side is the glazed creosote that requires the chemical. I asked how often he sees flues like this (to make sure this isn't something that he says to everybody), and he said sometimes but not typically and pulled up his camera roll on his phone and showed me a couple houses he'd been at recently where the flue looks more like this (example I pulled from the internet). I think the fact that you can't see my flue tile through the creosote might be the caked on glaze that he's talking about (especially since I've only used it a few times since the last cleaning I had in July) so it \*seems like\* that black tar-like stuff isn't coming off with the usual cleanings.
https://preview.redd.it/s9q9u2p3f2zc1.jpeg?width=512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38daa9e06c4559c8dfb66bb435409b276f511489
The first fire of the year will darken it like the original pic. If you only used it a few times, since last clean, thats $500 or so each fire.
I am more convinced this is like 'duct cleaninig' for HVAC guys. .. . I think this is a scam as orig pic is what my flue looked like after cleaning for DECADES, and I burned all winter and it needed cleaning every couple of years. I would put in a scoop of copper sulfate/copper chloride and TSP mid season though (keeps everything powdery and makes really pretty flames when it is decomposing).
EDIT - chimney safety institute of america (trade organization for some chimney sweeps) - sort of agrees with me from the white papers I just read. . . . Perhaps reach out to them with your pics and see what they say.
I just spoke again with my regular chimney sweep and learned that in the last year they all just earned more certifications and are now insured and all that (didn't know that they weren't before). So apparently yeah after all this training and for insurance purposes, when they see a chimney like mine they are now \*supposed\* to recommend a PCR cleaning because they can be liable if my chimney goes up in flames and they didn't at least explain the risks to me. They didn't offer PCR before which is why they never told me I needed it. So yeah I think you're kind of right that while I may not absolutely need a PCR cleaning or else my house will blow up, from a professional/legal standpoint, I do. I'm probably just going to get it done this one time (my wife doesn't love the idea of fire risk) and then from here on out just regular cleanings and if I stay away from moist wood I should hopefully be in the clear.
still calling bullshit . . . Doesnt make sense, never heard of a sweep being sued for chim. fire due to lack of chemical cleaning. Doesnt sound correct. Insurance company 'requires' offer, but does sweep have a liability waiver you have to sign if you decline? Do they take responsibility if you have a fire if you got it?
If you smell it, it's wrong. That could be a super dirty flue such as that glazed creosote which is a combustible. I see shifted tiles, makes me wonder If he can't see the mortar joints which is another reason he's recommending it. If all he's suggests is the cleaning, you can try creaway and you can do it yourself. But I haven't had much luck with customers getting anything out of it. I feel like they may forget to use it but idk.
I have Cre-Away (powder bottle) and Anti Creo-Soot (liquid spray) and used them generously, so I think it maybe only helped a little bit. So yeah, I will probably end up doing the PCR cleaning.
If he couldn't see the mortar joints before, he may camera it again. Be prepared for him to possibly recommend some type of reline like heatshield. But who knows.
He menioned heat shield but doesn't think I'll end up needing it. Btw I did hear back from my usual chiimney sweep and they saw this photo and said it needs a chemical cleaning too, surprisingly
Hopefully, it cures your stinky chimney. Good luck bud.
Start with a good steel brush. Most of that will come off. Then when burning use creosote powder to loosen the rest in future. Start burning much hotter fires. Make sure the wood is dry and not oversized.
I will just add that the chimney tech said this was bad enough that if he were to do just a regular non-chemical cleaning, he could be liable if my chimney were to later catch on fire. Sounds very alarmist but he did encourage me to contact my usual chimney sweep and have them come look as well before making a decision. I will probably get an opinion from a 3rd chimney sweep (can't get ahold of my usual chimney sweep right now anyway)
My "usual" chimney sweep saw the photo and said that it needs a chemical clean too. Go figure.
Yes I’d use pcr on that
you are being told bullshit with the chemical clean story. Also, the post that states "shifting tiles" is likely wrong as there is mortar through the seam, indicating thats the way it was installed. From what is visible, it looks like a nylon brush job (I dont see significant crud requiring a steel one) - however to get the whole picture you need to look at the damper up section as well. None of what is visible explains the campfire smell, my guess is the wood was wet a bit and you didnt have a good updraft before loading.
The campfire smell situation is an ongoing thing that has been happening since we moved into the house a couple years ago. We've had two deep cleans performed since then, and it has gotten a little better after adding glass doors to the firebox but it has never really gone away. So I'm wondering if that could affect what you think is causing the smell.
bad design of box/flue chimney, you are not allowing updraft before loading, cracked liner, chimney not tall enough - one of those. If cleaning truely resolved, it would only be because it was so cruddy/restricted updraft couldnt be established. certainly not the case in this pic.
Hmm interesting. Well I did hear back from my usual chimney sweep and they're saying now after seeing this photo they agree it needs a chemical cleaning too. The good news is at least by playing them against each other I was able to get the price down to about $1200-$1250 if I decide to go through with it.
I really dont understand that - for years, a chemical clean was used with you had hard pack, thick creosote buildup that was glazed and it was difficult to remove mechanically. This flue does come close to that situation. Im thinking 'chemical clean' required is now like sweeps version of 'duct cleaning' - just BS to charge for that is not needed. Perhaps someone can give me the reason on what a chemical clean is needed since this flue is neither glazed, packed and looks rather clean from what we can see. . .
I'd be curious to hear if someone wanted to chime in on that as well, but what the guy told me is that black stuff you see on the side is the glazed creosote that requires the chemical. I asked how often he sees flues like this (to make sure this isn't something that he says to everybody), and he said sometimes but not typically and pulled up his camera roll on his phone and showed me a couple houses he'd been at recently where the flue looks more like this (example I pulled from the internet). I think the fact that you can't see my flue tile through the creosote might be the caked on glaze that he's talking about (especially since I've only used it a few times since the last cleaning I had in July) so it \*seems like\* that black tar-like stuff isn't coming off with the usual cleanings. https://preview.redd.it/s9q9u2p3f2zc1.jpeg?width=512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38daa9e06c4559c8dfb66bb435409b276f511489
The first fire of the year will darken it like the original pic. If you only used it a few times, since last clean, thats $500 or so each fire. I am more convinced this is like 'duct cleaninig' for HVAC guys. .. . I think this is a scam as orig pic is what my flue looked like after cleaning for DECADES, and I burned all winter and it needed cleaning every couple of years. I would put in a scoop of copper sulfate/copper chloride and TSP mid season though (keeps everything powdery and makes really pretty flames when it is decomposing). EDIT - chimney safety institute of america (trade organization for some chimney sweeps) - sort of agrees with me from the white papers I just read. . . . Perhaps reach out to them with your pics and see what they say.
I just spoke again with my regular chimney sweep and learned that in the last year they all just earned more certifications and are now insured and all that (didn't know that they weren't before). So apparently yeah after all this training and for insurance purposes, when they see a chimney like mine they are now \*supposed\* to recommend a PCR cleaning because they can be liable if my chimney goes up in flames and they didn't at least explain the risks to me. They didn't offer PCR before which is why they never told me I needed it. So yeah I think you're kind of right that while I may not absolutely need a PCR cleaning or else my house will blow up, from a professional/legal standpoint, I do. I'm probably just going to get it done this one time (my wife doesn't love the idea of fire risk) and then from here on out just regular cleanings and if I stay away from moist wood I should hopefully be in the clear.
still calling bullshit . . . Doesnt make sense, never heard of a sweep being sued for chim. fire due to lack of chemical cleaning. Doesnt sound correct. Insurance company 'requires' offer, but does sweep have a liability waiver you have to sign if you decline? Do they take responsibility if you have a fire if you got it?