If you run fires everyday like we do, it's probably time to sweep out the chimney and clean out the stove pipe.

Our fires haven't been as good the past week or so.  Yesterday, I went up on the snow covered roof (crawling up and down) and swept the chimney with the brush and rods.  I also cleaned out the stove pipe (we use a wood burning stove)-- it was full of soot.  I vacuumed it out and last night's fire was much improved.

We use creosote cleaning logs about once a month, but with heavy use, it pays to do a mid-season sweep.

Doing-It-Yourself (DIY) requires a vacuum, a sweep brush and rods (about $45), a ladder, and a flashlight.  Always start outside first.  It takes about 30 minutes.  The savings are about $100-150 (each sweep) in this neck of the woods.

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