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Is it necessary to have the chimney cleaned by chimney sweeping service if I use a gas imitation fireplace log (no wood) exclusively?

If so, what is the reason? What is the root cause for chimneys needing cleaning in the first place?

glenviewjeff
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1 Answers1

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Creosote from wood fires is the main reason, so no, cleaning from that standpoint isn't needed.

HerrBag
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  • And soot from unburned evaporated carbon condensing out of the exhaust gasses. Natural gas is burnt with balanced or excess oxygen so the burn is complete and you should only produce carbon dioxide and water. – Fiasco Labs Jun 26 '13 at 03:49
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    @FiascoLabs, Burning pure Methane with sufficient oxygen is CH4 + 2 O2 → 2 H2O + CO2 a.k.a. carbon dioxide and water like you mention. Natural Gas is not 100% methane. It will still produce carbon monoxide and carbon soot but still no way near the same soot as wood. – Jason Jun 26 '13 at 05:24
  • As @HerrBag has stated they don't need cleaning in the conventional sense, they should be inspected periodically. Even if it nothing more than you looking up the flue with a flashlight and mirror. – mikes Jun 26 '13 at 10:32
  • @mikes what would one be looking for when inspecting it? – glenviewjeff Jun 26 '13 at 17:24
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    @glenviewjeff birds nest, dead critter (unless you have a bullet-proof chimney cap) – HerrBag Jun 26 '13 at 17:25
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    Rust from water condensing in the upper part of the stack, especially if there's any sulfur content in your natural gas. If the liner's stainless, this isn't a problem. – Fiasco Labs Jun 27 '13 at 03:24
  • Sulfuric acid will eventually corrode stainless steel. –  Oct 01 '15 at 17:16