Randygh
10-29-2007, 08:57 PM
So, it's been several years since I checked the flume for the woodstove. We always burn dry wood so creosote shouldn't be an issue. The inside of the stainless steel chimney pipes have about 1/2" dry, powered soot. The Admiral says to hire a chimney sweep. Heck for $200.00 I can clean the stovepipe. Might as well save the money for boat gas. I lifted the chimney pipes several inches off the stove and secured two large garbage sacks under the pipe. Got up on the roof and with a firewood-laden gunney sack on a string I cleaned the stove pipe. No problem, the pipe came out nice and clean. Went inside to see how much soot is in the sacks and OH Sihtt, the tile, beige carpet and all furniture in family room and dining room are alittle discolored. Well, maybe allot discolored--black. Admiral comes into room and is stunned. By the time she came to, I had already vacuumed the walls, tile, hutch, end tables and carpet around the stove. I didn't realize one should tape all pipe fittings so the entire chimney is tight. Soot really isn't unhealthy. Heck, carbon is the basic atom of all organic substances. All she said was, "I told you to hire a chimney sweep", along with some colorful adjectives describing the condition of the reasoning center in the frontal lobes of my cerebral cortex.
As a stroke of luck, the Admiral had ordered a home version "Rug Doctor" carpet cleaner on QVC. She hasn't been happy with the commercial cleaner we have come do the carpets. Tonight the carpet and all upholestry in the area came out very well. Amazing how alittle invisible soot can discolor the wastewater in the cleaner. I give the "Rug Doctor" home edition carpet cleaner an A+. The only problem is it is too heavy to use in the boat.
As a stroke of luck, the Admiral had ordered a home version "Rug Doctor" carpet cleaner on QVC. She hasn't been happy with the commercial cleaner we have come do the carpets. Tonight the carpet and all upholestry in the area came out very well. Amazing how alittle invisible soot can discolor the wastewater in the cleaner. I give the "Rug Doctor" home edition carpet cleaner an A+. The only problem is it is too heavy to use in the boat.