Dr Evil
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion
C) made sure the wife was out before trying to catch a live, very pee'd off, hissing, black soot covered goose flapping around the house
-
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Cleaning wood burner flue?
- Thread starter Dry Rot
- Start date
C) made sure the wife was out before trying to catch a live, very pee'd off, hissing, black soot covered goose flapping around the house
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
http://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index....ter-from-crowing-too-early.16251/#post-286885
I think these 2 threads may have a link.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
I used to control feral pigeons in huge grain storage sheds. When they were empty, the sheds would echo and seemed to magnify sound but when full any sound was deadened. I would think a few bales of straw would similarly muffle out the sound of crowing. Just a thought.
I read your travails with considerable interest being the owner of a new Woodwarm 12KW with side and roof boilers added. It is now 9 mths old and replaces the open fire with back boiler. The stove fires the central heating and eleven radiators in a a 30yr old bnglw.
To cut to the chase and afterr much hesitation/research I took the plunge and bought my own rods for the 6" s/s flue liner. After a great deal of agonising I went for TAMAR's flexi 1m long nylon rods and their 6" brush. All readers should note that they use Parcel Force and for far flung outposts of the Empire, this is a fraction of the costs of the otherwise good competitors who use 'Couriers'..
The result was a fundamental improvement in the running of the stove. I rang TAMAR to discuss with the 'Boss' the nature of the sweepings and the volume. It was one and a half full ash-pan trays of a mixture of soot; flaky thin 'broken biscuits' and what I suspect he might call, suggestions of creosote (shiny little lumps).
His summary was - needing to sweep at least twice per season, if not three times. Also the age-old advice for 'hot burns'. I queried him about perhaps getting a brush head slightly large than 6" and he explained that it is in fact the ends of the bristles that do the 'sweeping'. Insert a bigger head and the ends are squashed and curled up, resulting in a less efficient cleaning action.
My fuel for 9 mths has been 'Verdo' blocks (very good - if expensive) and various 2 year old air dried hardwoods that I scavenge with the landowners' permission.
SUMMARY
Being accustomed to rodding the septic tank flow pipe! and watching the local traditional sweep, I was surprised at the true flexibility of the rods. Also there was next to no mess. I did not envelope the stove in a heavy cover and poke the rods through. I just shoved the rods up from the hearth.
The improvement in the running of the fire; the fact that the glass no longer 'coats' so badly at the bottom corners and the lack of any mess when cleaning, has made me decide to shove the brush up monthly.
As for TAMAR - impeccable service.
All the best
To cut to the chase and afterr much hesitation/research I took the plunge and bought my own rods for the 6" s/s flue liner. After a great deal of agonising I went for TAMAR's flexi 1m long nylon rods and their 6" brush. All readers should note that they use Parcel Force and for far flung outposts of the Empire, this is a fraction of the costs of the otherwise good competitors who use 'Couriers'..
The result was a fundamental improvement in the running of the stove. I rang TAMAR to discuss with the 'Boss' the nature of the sweepings and the volume. It was one and a half full ash-pan trays of a mixture of soot; flaky thin 'broken biscuits' and what I suspect he might call, suggestions of creosote (shiny little lumps).
His summary was - needing to sweep at least twice per season, if not three times. Also the age-old advice for 'hot burns'. I queried him about perhaps getting a brush head slightly large than 6" and he explained that it is in fact the ends of the bristles that do the 'sweeping'. Insert a bigger head and the ends are squashed and curled up, resulting in a less efficient cleaning action.
My fuel for 9 mths has been 'Verdo' blocks (very good - if expensive) and various 2 year old air dried hardwoods that I scavenge with the landowners' permission.
SUMMARY
Being accustomed to rodding the septic tank flow pipe! and watching the local traditional sweep, I was surprised at the true flexibility of the rods. Also there was next to no mess. I did not envelope the stove in a heavy cover and poke the rods through. I just shoved the rods up from the hearth.
The improvement in the running of the fire; the fact that the glass no longer 'coats' so badly at the bottom corners and the lack of any mess when cleaning, has made me decide to shove the brush up monthly.
As for TAMAR - impeccable service.
All the best
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
Excellent news Mr Tamar.
ps. Parcel Force is a courier.
ps. Parcel Force is a courier.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Well, things have moved on since I started this thread over a year ago.
The smoke from my Woodwarm got so bad that on occasion I could barely see across the room and I was rushed to hospital for X-rays when I started to cough up blood! (I'm completely serious). They suspected lung cancer.
Various attempts to clean the flue did not cure the problem and I finally gave up my independence and called the guy in who installed the flue. (Yeah, should have done it sooner). To give him his due, he was very quick to arrive, put a ladder up beside the house, and looked into the chimney from the top. He discovered that the piece of 12mm weld mesh put over the chimney pot to keep the birds out had become completely blocked with condensed tar except for a small hole about 25mm in diameter! He removed the mesh and installed a proper cowl. Problem cured!
I have since had the chimney swept by a proper sweep and have also done it myself with a set of standard drain rods since. It is such an easy job I object to paying someone to do it. I also burn soot eaters occasionally which do seem to work. I used a 9 inch diameter brush that I cut down to 6 inch. (Saving money again as I had the 9 inch brush already!). The latter was a complete success except the rods parted leaving the bottom rod about 6 feet from the rodding hatch just above the stove. The rods were visible but out of arms reach. I managed to make up a tool to catch hold the end and pull the rods down. Next time I think I will be getting the nylon rods, there is a limit to being economical! I suppose drain rods in good condition would be safe, but why take risks?
So, all's well that ends well. I haven't got lung cancer and my stove is working perfectly. Bags of hot water from birch wood cured for over a year under a plastic sheet. Birch, by the way, absorbs water like blotting paper and quickly rots, but it will keep forever if it is kept dry. Cleaning the chimney is something I've discovered I can do quite easily myself (even as a pensioner, but it is a single story house!). I now need to get the roof insulated as the heat disappears quickly when the fire goes out.
The smoke from my Woodwarm got so bad that on occasion I could barely see across the room and I was rushed to hospital for X-rays when I started to cough up blood! (I'm completely serious). They suspected lung cancer.
Various attempts to clean the flue did not cure the problem and I finally gave up my independence and called the guy in who installed the flue. (Yeah, should have done it sooner). To give him his due, he was very quick to arrive, put a ladder up beside the house, and looked into the chimney from the top. He discovered that the piece of 12mm weld mesh put over the chimney pot to keep the birds out had become completely blocked with condensed tar except for a small hole about 25mm in diameter! He removed the mesh and installed a proper cowl. Problem cured!
I have since had the chimney swept by a proper sweep and have also done it myself with a set of standard drain rods since. It is such an easy job I object to paying someone to do it. I also burn soot eaters occasionally which do seem to work. I used a 9 inch diameter brush that I cut down to 6 inch. (Saving money again as I had the 9 inch brush already!). The latter was a complete success except the rods parted leaving the bottom rod about 6 feet from the rodding hatch just above the stove. The rods were visible but out of arms reach. I managed to make up a tool to catch hold the end and pull the rods down. Next time I think I will be getting the nylon rods, there is a limit to being economical! I suppose drain rods in good condition would be safe, but why take risks?
So, all's well that ends well. I haven't got lung cancer and my stove is working perfectly. Bags of hot water from birch wood cured for over a year under a plastic sheet. Birch, by the way, absorbs water like blotting paper and quickly rots, but it will keep forever if it is kept dry. Cleaning the chimney is something I've discovered I can do quite easily myself (even as a pensioner, but it is a single story house!). I now need to get the roof insulated as the heat disappears quickly when the fire goes out.
I'm not quite sure why you are thanking ''Mr Tamar'' - who ever he might be?
As for Parcel Force being a ''courier'' - I'm old enough to know the clear distinction between the former Post Office Parcels service and present day 'couriers' of whom there are a plethora. The latter have a completely different charging model from the former: especially if you live in certain ''remote' rural areas.
As for Parcel Force being a ''courier'' - I'm old enough to know the clear distinction between the former Post Office Parcels service and present day 'couriers' of whom there are a plethora. The latter have a completely different charging model from the former: especially if you live in certain ''remote' rural areas.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
There was the famous firm of couriers who bravely boasted that they could deliver anything, any where, even to Outer Space.
Then further down the page, in small print, "We do not deliver to the Highlands and Islands".
Was that the one you were thinking of?
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
When someone joins a forum purely to sing the praises of someone it is usually assumed that the poster and the person they sing the praises of are one and the same. Hence me calling you Mr TAMAR.
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
How did you manage to reach your 75th year? (I think that's what you said recently)
Tars condensing on the last bit of metal flue is common problem. Same as your mesh problem.
To be honest he should have put a proper cowl on in the first place. So I'm a little bit unimpressed that he didn't as I'm sure it would have helped draw the smoke better. Anyway glad your ok.
Another option instead of drain rods which i have found inflexible on some bends:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hills-Brushes-Flu6-Flue-Brush/dp/B000TAUCJA
There was the famous firm of couriers who bravely boasted that they could deliver anything, any where, even to Outer Space.
Then further down the page, in small print, "We do not deliver to the Highlands and Islands".
Was that the one you were thinking of?
You got it in one - and, not a stone's throw from Ben Wyvis.
Hope all works out for you.
As for the guy imagining a mysterious ''Mr Tamar'' - given the professionalism of their service from Devon, I doubt the company has any need for self promotion.
suffolksmallholder
Member
- Location
- Suffolk
If you have the courage there's nothing like a good chimney fire to clear the flue! At night it is impressive too
I wouldn't have one if you have a thatched roof though....You may end up with no roof at all.
SS
I wouldn't have one if you have a thatched roof though....You may end up with no roof at all.
SS
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
If you have the courage there's nothing like a good chimney fire to clear the flue! At night it is impressive too
I wouldn't have one if you have a thatched roof though....You may end up with no roof at all.
SS
I agree -- except that when I broke open my chimney to put in the s/s flue, I noticed the clay tile liners were all crazed. Maybe that's because I too used to believe in a good old chimney fire! I definitely wouldn't try it with a s/s liner.
I once cleared a mass of birds' nests out of a chimney by dropping a plastic bag full of petrol down it followed by some lighted newspapers. Now that WAS dramatic! (Got rid of the nests, though).
- Location
- northumberland
Had my stove flu cleaned a couple of months ago and a good tip for any1 doing their own, if you use rods that have the hex nut to tighten them use a cordless drill with a deep socket on the end to spin the brush as you sweep the flu it makes it a lot easier, just remember to turn the right way as not to undo the rods up the flu ;-)
- Location
- Near Beeston Castle
Swept my flue this evening. Took about 10 minutes.
Is that an euphemism ?Swept my flue this evening. Took about 10 minutes.
