The present chimney has only been in use for about 24 years and I burn it hot and wide open at least once a week. I've never swept it and have no plans to. The chimney is a 7 inch Selkirk about 20feet long. We heat with wood exclusively and burn mostly lodgepole pine and larch. GD
Show a pic please. What kind of stove do you have? 24 years and never been swept, I have never heard of that for a wood stove.
