I am not a smart man

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

Being as it's a little chilly tonight, I decided it was a good night to throw some logs in the fireplace. Stuff the newspaper in, lay the kindling, everything else, light the works, and go to do other stuff. About five minutes later I notice that it's getting smoky in here.

Hey, dumbass, you forgot to open the damper!

duhhhhh

Bit hazy in here now...

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Hey, dumbass, you forgot to open the damper!

We did that once. Well... actually... my parents did that once, when Tungsten and I still lived at home. One minute we were trying to warm up, the next minute smoke was filling the room.

EDIT: There was also a time where my brother and I were sitting in his room watching tv... and in busts my mother saying "Okay, no one panic... but get out of the house, NOW! It's on fire!". Um... ok... you basically just said the house is burning, and to run, but we shouldn't panic? lol. Fast forward a few mins, and my father and grandfather were on the roof with a garden hose, spraying down the chimney. Fire dept rolling down the street, sirens blaring. Neighbors looking on. Fun times for everyone. Especially since it was mid-winter, hovering around 25-30 degrees and we're outside in t-shirts and shorts. Apparently there was too much soot and crap lining the chimney (no clue when it was cleaned last) and it caught fire. No damage, but definitely a fun night.

Looking back... using the fireplace, in Casa de Yancy, lead to some interesting moments.

Luckily, for everyone, they swapped over to a gas burning fireplace a cpl years later.

Edited November 1, 2008 by Verbal Kint

[Guest SUNTZU]

When it started getting smoky in there, did you just feel like running?

[musicman]

Be careful there. Seriously, that's how Weird AL Yankovic's parents died a couple years ago. His Dad started a fire, didn't open the flu, and they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Sad stuff.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2004-04-11-weird-al-parents_x.htm

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

Yeah, I was kind of freaking out for a second. Once I realized what the problem was, I tried to reach up and open the thing, but the fire was already burning pretty good, and it was hot as hell up there. Luckily, I still had my hatchet nearby from cutting up the kindling, so I reached up there with that and pushed it open.

[strickj]

Be careful there. Seriously, that's how Weird AL Yankovic's parents died a couple years ago. His Dad started a fire, didn't open the flu, and they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Sad stuff.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2004-04-11-weird-al-parents_x.htm

What a weird,and...... well weird fact.I'm not even goin ask how you know how the parents of a C-list celebrity died

Any idea how Lucy Pinders childhood dog died?

Oh,topic....Yeah clean your durn chimney!

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Any idea how Lucy Pinders childhood dog died?

[TGO David]

Any idea how Lucy Pinders childhood dog died?

She rolled over on it?

[musicman]

I have no idea who Lucy Pinders is. Sorry!

However, I think Weird Al is a pretty cool guy, even if he's not an A lister. This little bit of news came out right after the release of "Poodle Hat", his 2nd most recent album.

Yea, I'm a nerd and I'm cool with that!

[TripleDigitRide]

Yep, fireplace and chimney maintenance is VERY important.

I used to rebuild/reline clay tile chimneys, and the neglect can turn very deadly in a hurry.

If you don't want to pay a chimney sweep, you can purchase the tools (rods and brush) from Lowes and Home Depot. It's actually very easy if you're not afraid to climb on the roof.

A component chimney sweep is your best bet, though. They should be able to thoroughly inspect your entire fireplace/chimney/flue system for damage due to age and/or general use. This is especially important for those who have a pre-fab/metal flue. If there happens to be a crack in the system which could allow extreme heat and/or flames between the flue and the surrounding structure, your entire home could go up in flames.

The few extra bucks to hire a professional is well worth it, IMHO.

[analog_kidd]

I got this nifty shop vac for Christmas one year, adn thought it would be perfect for cleaning out fireplace ashes after the coold down a day. Well I got everything out, and started sucking up the ashes, thinking how smart I was and congratulating myself on what a great job it was doing. When I finished I stood up and turned around to find that I did not install the filter, and all the ashes had been blown out the shop vac exhaust all over the living room. Took a long time to clean up the mess.

[Guest pjblurton]

I have no idea who Lucy Pinders is. Sorry! /quote]

I'll have to admit, I had to do a Google image search for Lucy Pinders....

Darn glad I did.... Thanks Strick

[strickj]

I'll have to admit, I had to do a Google image search for Lucy Pinders....

Darn glad I did.... Thanks Strick

Glad to be of service

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

Dunno about you, strick, but I'm more interested in Lucy Pinder's cat than her dog.

[Guest db99wj]

She rolled over on it?

Only if said dog was female.

Oh, and careful with who is watching if you google her...

[Guest truthsayer]

Oh, and careful with who is watching if you google her...

Too little, too late....

[Angus]

I had to google 3 times for that one..thanks strick.

Speaking of cleaning the chimney.....wowsers

Never had a problem with the flu, but my dad set a garbage truck on fire with his ash-can. He used to leave it open for 2 weeks before putting it out with the trash, no problems from 1955 to 200, then...well, there were some burried hot ashes in it. heh