Chimney Sweeps & Blessings

We had some chimney cleaners out to look at our chimney this afternoon. They were supposed to clean it out, but found out when they got here that it’s next to impossible to clean. It’s due to the way the fire place insert was installed. I have no idea who installed it or what year it was put in, but it’s got this little twist & turn in the pipe that makes it next to impossible to clean. They also said we have creosote buildup, which we’re going to treat chemically. If the creosote is left untreated, it can cause a flue fire.

So… it wasn’t the news I wanted to hear, but it didn’t cost us any money today. The guy did say that the unit we have is a really good one, so that was a plus. And it does put out a lot of heat... which helps save on the gas bill in the winter.

Anyhow... I will have to go and buy the chemical to spray into the fireplace every day (to loosen up the creosote buildup & make it fall down), and then they will come back in a month to sweep down all the junk and vacuum it out with a very high-powered vacuum. They will have to vacuum it because of the way the insert was installed, which does not allow the junk to fall down inside the fireplace.

Our other option is to install a new liner. It sounds like the best and safest option, but it’s pricey. It would cost us almost $1,000 PLUS they will have to re-mortar around our insert once they re-install it. So that would be an extra charge. I really don’t know how much the final bill would be, but I DO know that we don’t have the money for that right now. I can only hope and pray that we will be able to afford to do it over the summer.

So… add that to the fact that our house could probably use new windows and storm doors to make it more energy-efficient. The house also really needs to be painted, and it won’t be very many more years before we’ll have to have a new roof... and we want to finish out the privacy fence and put some kind of fencing around the front yard. I think that any house could turn in to a money pit if it were allowed to become one. The needs have to be taken care of first, of course... but I believe that God will provide for them when the time is right.

I’m not sure I’m excited about any of this repair/maintenance stuff… And as expensive as all of it sounds, I sure do love living in my very own house. It’s big and it's beautiful and, and it’s everything I’ve always wanted… and I just have to thank God for every day I get to spend in it with my family! I feel truly blessed!