Chimney Debris?

dan holmes_2

It is not unusual the new unit is more eff. it drys out stuff on walls keep an eye on it if you find a lot of pices of small red tile in the mix it is more of an issue.If it is an outside chimmy it may be condensating due to low flue temp from new boiler.That would require a ss liner.Watch out for the chimmy guys find a honest one.

George Brown

Chimney Debris?

I have oil-fired hot-water heat supplied by a Burnham V-84 boiler with a Beckett AFG burner. Domestic hot water is made with a Burnham AL40A indirect-fired water heater. I installed this system in November 2001 and have not serviced it since, which I know is a mistake.

Friday morning I found my basement smoke detector activated and upon investigation noticed warm air coming out of the draft control while the burner was on. Suspecting a blocked chimney, I shut it down and dismantled the flue piping to find in the bottom of my chimney a pile of debris which completely blocked off the flue. I also cleaned the boiler passages and crown but did not replace the nozzle as the flame pattern looked great. After cleaning, the draft measured 0.05" at a point 3" above the cabinet and 16" below the centerline of the draft control. I have a masonary chimney lined with 8" tile with a SS cap. The debris seemed to be mostly a moist grandular substance with some slag in it. Is this a normal build up after four years of use?

Additional information: I burn about 1000 gal/oil per year and live just north of Philadelphia. Prior to the installation of this boiler, I had my heating system serviced by the oil company so I don't know the history of debris in the chimney. When I installed the boiler I recall removing some debris but did not really measure or record the amount. It had been about a year since the last service on the original boiler.

TIA for your feedback.

Leo

Service

The system should be serviced annually for efficient operation and to monitor things like what happened. The flame should also be adjusted with instruments for peak operation. Time to call a pro.

Leo

Bob Harper

honest chimney guys?

Dan, I have to take issue with your comment about finding an 'honest' chimney guy. The inuendo here is that there are so many irreputable ones, you have to really search to find one trustworthy. Ok, I could say the same thing about HVAC techs, roofers, and car mechanics because I've had bad experiences with them all but that wouldn't be fair to their industries.

You were correct in suggesting a stainless liner but the part about interior versus exterior just doesn't hold up--they ALL need liners. I've never see a masonry chimney that didn't need a liner. Just ask yourself, is this chimney suitable for the class of service and appliances connected as is? Have you performed a Level II inspection and verified all those tiles are perfectly intact? All those mortar joints, which, btw, were made with regular mortars and not those specified in the codes? Is this flue properly sized for the load in it? Is this flue going to suffer condensation which will rot the flue quickly? If the flue rots, is there a clean out to collect small debris without clogging the exhaust?

The point has already been made here for the need for a liner. The need to reline was already brought out when the original posted observed the chimney blocked by the pile of Fritos at the base of the chimney. If you don't reline, you will probably die from CO poisoning. In fact, to get to this point, the occupants probably already have suffered some effects of chronic CO and just don't know it. It is now simply a matter of choosing a contractor, brands, warranties, materials, sizing, re-routing the connector pipes, setting the barometric damper, and calling for the HVAC tech to come back and tune it to the new set of lungs.

Just please be cognizant there are tons of very competent chimney relining contractors out there who, quite frankly, I would trust over an HVAC tech with relining.
Thanks,
Bob

George Brown

Dan: Thanks for your assessment. It confirms what I have been thinking. Wasn't any orange debris except for a little that I scrapped off the horizontal flue piece with the trowel. It is an outside chimney. For now I will take a wait and see approach. Will look at the chimney again next year before the heating season.

Bob: I agree with most of what you have stated regarding "honest" chimney people. I'm a retired engineer and have worked with contractors for most of my life. In addition, prior to becoming an engineer, which didn't happen until my early 30's, I was a tradesman.

I find the 80-20 rule works most of the time, actually more like 90-10 in the case of honesty - that is 90% or the people I deal with are honest and, like most of us, trying to make a living, raise a family and build a little nest egg.

I see a liner in the future for my chimney but I do not feel that I have an emergency situation. My chimney was clogged because I was neglectful. It is now clean and the burner is pulling a good draft. I will be installing a CO monitor/alarm for piece of mind.

I think you overstated the danger with your statement that, "if I don't reline I will probably die of CO poisoning". I think that if I keep the chimney open and maintain a good draft I should have no concerns about CO poisoning. I do have concerns about overall chimney life but that's clearly a different issue.

Bob Harper

time factor

Hi George. I guess I was a little fired up when I wrote that. What I should have said was something more along the lines that since you know the liner has failed, it will continue to fail at a faster pace. The likelihood of a large section collapsing and blocking the flue grows with every day. While it may be clear today, it could block tomorrow. That's all. Until it gets lined, it will remain a big question mark.

I wouldn't put too much faith in OTC CO alarms. At least you are aware of the problem and keeping a close eye on it. That's important. Remember, too the presence of draft does not guarantee venting nor prove you aren't getting CO--only an analyzer should be relied upon for that.

Take care,