Chimney And Chimney Connector Maintenance; Why Chimney Cleaning Is Necessary; How Often Should You Clean The Chimney; Cleaning The Chimney - Drolet Deco Installation And Operation Manual

Deco Installation and Operation Manual

5.2 Chimney and Chimney Connector Maintenance

5.2.1 Why Chimney Cleaning is Necessary

Wood smoke can condense inside the chimney connector and chimney, forming a
combustible deposit called creosote. If creosote is allowed to build up in the venting
system it can ignite when a hot fire is burned in the stove and a very hot fire can progress
to the top of the chimney. Severe chimney fires can damage even the best chimneys.
Smouldering, smoky fires can quickly cause a thick layer of creosote to form. When you
avoid smouldering so the exhaust from the chimney is mostly clear, creosote builds up
more slowly. Your new stove has the right characteristics to help you to burn clean fires
with little or no smoke, resulting in less creosote in the chimney.

5.2.2 How Often Should You Clean the Chimney?

It is not possible to predict how much or how quickly creosote will form in your chimney. It
is important, therefore, to check the build-up in your chimney monthly when getting used to
the new stove until you determine the rate of creosote formation. Even if creosote forms
slowly in your system, the chimney should be cleaned and inspected at least once each
year.
Contact your local municipal or provincial fire authority for information on how to handle a
chimney fire. Have a clearly understood plan to handle a chimney fire.

5.2.3 Cleaning the Chimney

Chimney cleaning can be a difficult and
dangerous job. If you don't have experience
cleaning chimneys, you might want to hire a
professional chimney sweep to clean and
inspect the system for the first time. After
having seen the cleaning process, you can
decide if it is a job you would like to take on.
The most common equipment used are
fibreglass rods with threaded fittings and stiff
plastic brushes. The brush is forced up and
down inside the chimney flue to scrub off the
creosote.
The chimney connector assembly should
always be cleaned at the same time the
chimney is cleaned.
CAUTION: Operation of your stove without the baffle, if any, or firebricks may cause
unsafe and hazardous temperature conditions and will void the warranty. NOTE: Before
installing the firebrick, check to ensure that none are broken or damaged in any way. If so,
have the damaged ones replaced. Check the firebrick for damage at least annually and
replace any broken or damaged ones with new ones. Inspection and cleaning of the
chimney is facilitated by the removable baffle
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