I had a job last week in the old part of town with a flue that hadn't been cleaned in maybe 15 years. The standard steel wire brush just wasn't cutting through the glazed creosote, but a poly brush I borrowed from another sweep got it clean in half the time. What's the best brush type you've found for these older, glazed-up systems?
Protecting your joints is key in this trade.
I decided to close off my fireplace for the warm months with some sealant from the store. It seemed like an easy weekend project, you know, to keep drafts out. But the stuff I used wasn't right for chimneys and started to flake inside. My buddy who sweeps chimneys said it could have trapped moisture and caused rust or worse blockage. Always double-check with a pro before doing any kind of chimney cover-up.
Most sweeps I know rely on power drills with brush heads. On a recent job, the mortar was weak and the drill risked causing cracks. I switched to hand rods and a small brush, which took more time but preserved the structure. Has anyone else faced this with older homes?
Listening to the chimney when you tap it tells you everything about buildup. I caught a bad case before it could start a fire, and now I swear by this method.
He acts like I'm making a mess on purpose. Idk, maybe sweep your own chimney next time.
I got into blacksmithing as a hobby last year. Decided to make my own chimney scraper blades from scrap metal. The difference is night and day. These blades bite into creosote like nothing else. Factory blades dull too fast. I shape each one by hand for a perfect fit. My cleanouts take half the time now. Trust me, DIY beats buying every time.
Had a client complaining about smoke backing up, and nothing I did at first made a difference. Took apart the cap and found a ton of debris from some nearby trees clogging the whole thing. What's your go-to move for clearing out organic junk like that?
Most sweeps I know burn the midnight oil to get through busy seasons. I've learned that being tired leads to more slips and missed spots in the flue. Who else forces themselves to clock out early for better focus the next day?
I mean, I just use a tall ladder and my extension rods for most ranch homes, idk. It saves a ton of time and I've never had a slip. But everyone at the guild says you're asking for a fall without proper setup. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like we overcomplicate easy accesses. What's your take on this?
Had to show her photos of creosote buildup to prove it's real.
I was at a neighborhood barbecue last weekend, and someone found out I'm a chimney sweep. Immediately, they started humming 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' and asked if I had a brush taller than me. It's honestly frustrating how the movie stereotype overshadows the real safety work we do. In my experience, this happens more often than you'd think, and it makes it hard to be taken seriously.