Chat with an old timer at the town dump last weekend got me worried about creosote buildup in triple-wall pipe

I was tossing out some scrap liner and this retired sweep, must have been 70 years old, told me he saw three house fires in his career from people running wood stoves through triple-wall without annual cleanings. He said the gap between the layers traps moisture and lets creosote form where you can't see it, especially if your chimney goes through an unheated attic like mine does. Any of you guys cut open those sections to check, or do you just trust the annual inspection?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora104d ago

I read an article in a fireplace magazine once that said triple-wall pipe has a hidden danger zone in the attic where the insulation stops. That spot creates a temperature drop that really speeds up creosote formation. The old sweep you talked to sounds like he knew his stuff, three fires is a scary number. Did he mention any specific brands or models that fail more than others?

taylorcarr4d ago

@nora10 Did he say whether Dura-Vent or Selkirk was worse for that attic zone problem?