Anybody know anything about fireplaces?

[dUSt]

So my house has a fireplace. This is the first day it's been cold enough to actually get a fire going since we bought the house....

Question.

The people we bought the house from said they never used the fireplace in the 30 years they lived here. Last year, we had raccoons living in it for a few weeks...

So... is it safe to start a fire in it, with there potentially being a bunch of junk in it? Do I have to clean it out somehow first? What are the dangers?

I wish Winchester still posted here.

If nobody has answers I will be forced to Google. Don't make me Google.

[homeschoolmom]

I'd clean it out. In fact, I'd hire a professional...

... and yeah, where's Winchester when you need him?

[thessalonian]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Dec 7 2005, 03:15 PM']So my house has a fireplace. This is the first day it's been cold enough to actually get a fire going since we bought the house....

Question.

The people we bought the house from said they never used the fireplace in the 30 years they lived here. Last year, we had raccoons living in it for a few weeks...

So... is it safe to start a fire in it, with there potentially being a bunch of junk in it? Do I have to clean it out somehow first? What are the dangers?

I wish Winchester still posted here.

If nobody has answers I will be forced to Google. Don't make me Google.
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Your skinnier than santa clause. Climb down through it and see. Actually I would go up on the roof with a flashlight. Chances are it is fine but you wouldn't want there to be any dead theives or anything in there. Or you might be able to see up from the bottom. I heard of a thief getting stuck in one about a year ago.

The biggest problem with them is creosote buildup. It's kind of a tarry black residue. It can start on fire up the chimmeny. We had it happen to a pipe of a wood stove one time. It was literally red on the outside so this stuff burns really hot. If it hasn't ever been used it shouldn't be a problem.

Edited December 7, 2005 by thessalonian

[jezic]

well it really depends if you want the house to smell like firewood smoke.

I think it is a good idea to clean things out.

[Lil Red]

you know the first thing i thought of when i saw this? one word: toilets

[philothea]

You have to make sure it's clean first. If it's not, the smoke will fill your house.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

or your house could catch fire as well.

[God Conquers]

Throw in some logs, splash on some gasoline and open a few windows.

[dUSt]

[quote name='God Conquers' date='Dec 7 2005, 03:53 PM']Throw in some logs, splash on some gasoline and open a few windows.
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This was pretty much what I was gonna do... thanks for the affirmation.

I'll let y'all know how it goes.

[philothea]

Prayers.


:

[Dreamweaver]

I don't know if it gets cold enough in Texas or not, but I know that more than a few times my dad had to warm up the chimney using a propane torch by pointing it up the fireplace and letting the heat rise. Otherwise the smoke from the fire won't go out the chimney but fill your room up.

I'd recommend calling a chimney sweep beforehand just to get it checked out.

[dUSt]

Well, I went ahead and lit up one of those fake logs, and so far so good...

[prose]

I wouldn't start a fire without cleaning it. If they never used it, and there were racoons in it last year, odds are there is SOMETHING in there now. You don't want to burn your house down!!!

CAll a professional chimney sweep.

Sorry for the bad news

[jmjtina]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='Dec 7 2005, 02:37 PM']you know the first thing i thought of when i saw this? one word: toilets
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I remember this english toilet I saw that looked wicked cool.

but alas, dUSt did not buy it.

toilets, fireplaces, i wonder whats next......................

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Dec 7 2005, 04:15 PM']So my house has a fireplace. This is the first day it's been cold enough to actually get a fire going since we bought the house....

Question.

The people we bought the house from said they never used the fireplace in the 30 years they lived here. Last year, we had raccoons living in it for a few weeks...

So... is it safe to start a fire in it, with there potentially being a bunch of junk in it? Do I have to clean it out somehow first? What are the dangers?

I wish Winchester still posted here.

If nobody has answers I will be forced to Google. Don't make me Google.
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Raccoons probably make good kindling.

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='prose' date='Dec 7 2005, 07:16 PM']I wouldn't start a fire without cleaning it.  If they never used it, and there were racoons in it last year, odds are there is SOMETHING in there now. 
[/quote]

Yep...and just 'cause it don't catch fire this time, don't mean it won't the next....can't say I'd want something in my chimney smouldering...

[dUSt]

Aren't chimneys fire-proof all the way up? Seems like they would be. My mom told me to just make a huge fire with tons of wood and just burn whatever is up there out.

Then again. My mother is mental.

[cmotherofpirl]

It depends on the age and condition. If the previous owner used the fireplace and never cleaned it, the chimney could be filled with creosote and it could catch fire and burn your nice new house down.

Is it drawing well?

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Dec 7 2005, 08:34 PM']Aren't chimneys fire-proof all the way up? Seems like they would be. My mom told me to just make a huge fire with tons of wood and just burn whatever is up there out.

Then again. My mother is mental.
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sounds like something my father might say... more likely my grandma. if youre still on everything must be fine and whatever might have been living in your chimney, now is not. congratulations. lets hope you dont have a need to use your fireplace again though. im not liking this weather.

[dUSt]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Dec 7 2005, 08:46 PM']Is it drawing well?
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I haven't tried giving it a crayon yet.