In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Tis the season for inspecting your set-up!!

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by Scotty Overkill, Sep 17, 2015.

  1. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Ok, first I want to apologize for taking so long to post this because this is something we take very seriously here.......our guests and members mean alot to us so we are adamant about preaching the safety routine to everyone. It's time to check out your setup. And I mean a GOOD checkup. Burning season is right around the corner!

    Make sure you do a thorough inspection of your fireplace, stove, boiler or whatever appliance you use. Go over it with a fine tooth comb and then go over it again. Do some searches on the web to see what your particular appliance/setup is known to need in regards to inspection/maintenance. Stuff like gaskets, baffles, firebrick and glass doors are good places to start. But go the extra step and look closely for any warping or cracking, all around the unit.

    Next, check your flue. Be it a "straight-outta-the-stove" setup or a "thru-the-wall" setup, look at it REALLY good. Look for rusted or burned out pipe. Look for cracks, warpage, discoloration and insulation. Pay close attention to the thimble or the point where the flue passes through the wall or roof. Sweep the flue out good, even if you swept it out in the spring, as critters may have built a nest over the summer in that flue...make sure all connections are tight and sealed.
    Inspect the cap for any signs of damage, make sure the spark arrestor is properly installed and free of any debris.

    A BIG THING TO CHECK is your smoke detectors!! Make sure they are all clean, functional (with fresh batteries), and do a function check on ALL OF THEM. If you don't have smoke detectors, GET THEM. Your family is the most precious gift you will ever have in this life on earth, you owe it to them to make certain you do these things.

    I also like to have a sit-down family meeting, several times before, during, and after the burning season, to discuss what needs to happen should we have a fire. Exit routes and different scenarios can be discussed, do it over dinner or when EVERYONE LIVING THERE can be present to participate..

    Please, guys and gals, follow a good safety protocol in regards to your appliances. We're a tight-knit family here, we spend a lot of time talking the talk when it comes to proper seasoning and burning, let's WALK THE WALK and keep our families warm, safe, and secure this burning season. I wanna see everyone enjoy the rewarding experience of heating with wood!!

    If I failed to mention anything, feel free to add to the post!!
     
  2. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Scotty Overkill, thank you so much for that thorough reminder. These are important safety measures that cannot be overlooked! Be safe!
     
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  3. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I sincerely mean it too, buddy.
     
  4. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam null

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    Drills are important. If you don't believe me, ask your kids what to do in case of a fire a week after you last talked about it-- see how much they actually remember. We have regular fire and intruder drills and they both involve setting off our fire/co2 alarm system to alert everyone in the house.
     
  5. HDRock

    HDRock

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    If you don't have a carbon monoxide detector, get one ,if it takes batteries put in fresh ones.
    If you don't have a fire extinguisher get one, and have it accessible :)
     
  6. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Yes i meant to mention both of those, HDRock. Thanks for adding them!

    I think it may even be a good idea to have a fire extinguisher in the bedroom as well, in case you have to open up an exit route in the middle of the night......food for thought.
     
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  7. red oak

    red oak

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    Thanks for the reminders Scotty! Good to have a checklist of things to do before burning season starts!
     
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  8. Gasifier

    Gasifier

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    Gooder thread! Thanks!:thumbs:
     
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  9. Wood Duck

    Wood Duck

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    Last week I finally started burning because that is when I finally did some needed maintenance and inspection. I have a through-the-wall flue, and the part of the flue between the stove and the wall needs cleaning. unfortunately it is impossible to clean without removing it from the stove. With my setup I get more soot and creosote in the stove-to-wall pipe than I do in the main part of the flue. Even though it is a pain, make sure to check this part of your stove.

    I also cleaned the chamber that is between the fire brick and the top of the stove. This is another tough spot to clean, but it is where the air all goes, so I wanted to make sure it is clean. I can reach up at the top front of the stove and feel around for ash. I then slid a stick up there and used it to wipe soot to the front, where it fell into the firebox. I didn't have a lot of soot here, but I am glad I checked to make sure.
     
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  10. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    I'm in the same boat in regards to the "thru the wall" setup on my kitchen stove. I tear it apart mid-season to clean and inspect it, as well as the beginning and end of each season.

    Good post, WD.
     
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  11. HDRock

    HDRock

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    My chimney is straight up but I take a couple of tubes out and all the bricks out of the top of my 1750 before I clean the chimney, everything falls right in the stove, brush off the brick Supports, put it back together
     
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  12. Aframe

    Aframe

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    Good reminder thanks!
     
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  13. papadave

    papadave

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    Thought maybe we could give this a little bump, since burn season is right around the corner. The corner is closer for some than others.
    Anyway, I'd like a recommendation for a good smoke detector, as mine's really old and I like the idea of newer in this situation.
    The extinguisher is still in good shape. Just got done cleaning everything and resetting the pipe with a little black hi-temp caulk.
    So, who else is ready for winter? :thumbs:
     
  14. Locust Post

    Locust Post

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    not yet, I want to enjoy fall first
     
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  15. papadave

    papadave

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    Oh yeah. Spring, summer, FALL, then winter.
    Now I remember. :picard::thumbs:
     
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  16. gmule

    gmule

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    It is wise to check your equipment out earlier in case there is a long lead time for parts or if you get the wrong part you have time to get the correct part.

    My Fire View got a new combustor scoop and door seal over the summer.
     
  17. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    Great stuff Scotty! :thumbs::yes: Let's hope all the peanut gallery follows protocal...:):cool:
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2016
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  18. Grahamt

    Grahamt

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    As part of my installation I had a carbon monoxide detector fitted .
     
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  19. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

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    Thanks so much for the reminder. Just went through most of this in our home!
     
  20. Gasifier

    Gasifier

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    All batteries in smoke detectors replaced today.:yes: