c/chimney-sweeps

Why does nobody talk about the new synthetic creosote formulas?

Last week in Tacoma, I cleaned a flue from a brand new 'eco' log set and the creosote was like black tar, it took me two extra hours to scrape it all out. The homeowner said the box claimed it was 'low residue' but it left the worst buildup I've seen in a long time. Has anyone else run into this with the new 'clean-burning' products?

2 comments

patriciah51•2d ago

Am I the only one who had a squirrel nest catch fire mid-clean?

I was cleaning a flue in an old farmhouse outside Madison and my brush hit a huge, dry nest I missed on the camera check. The whole thing lit up in seconds, and I had to dump my water bucket up the chimney to put it out. What's your go-to move for a surprise like that?

2 comments

john650•3d ago

Remember when we used to clean flues with just a brush and rods?

I did a job on a 1920s brick home in Springfield last month and brought my old 6-inch brush setup, but the creosote was like tar. Switched to my newer rotary whip system with the SootSweeper 2000 head, and it cleared the entire 25-foot flue in under an hour. The old way would've taken me half the day and left a ton of gunk behind. Anyone else made the switch and found it saves your back as much as your time?

2 comments

hannahm39•5d ago

Appreciation post: My grandpa's steel chimney rods from the 70s

I was cleaning out my garage and found his full set of rods. They are heavy and simple, but I still use them for tough jobs. What old tools do you keep around even with all the new stuff?

3 comments

hugomurray•8d ago

Rant: I called spring sweeps a scam. One job proved me wrong.

I always told customers only fall cleanings mattered. Thought spring work was just for extra cash. Then I had a call in April. The flue was stuffed with leaves and damp soot. A family almost used their fireplace that night. It could have sparked a big fire. Now I urge everyone to get a sweep after winter ends.

3 comments

spencer80•15d ago

My flea market find turned into a game changer for tight flues

I was at a flea market last week and saw this old chimney brush. Gave it a good clean and tested it on a job today. It slid right into a tight flue that always gave me trouble. The bristles were stiff but flexible, perfect for scraping creosote. I'm amazed how well it worked compared to my new gear. Anyone else have luck with older tools? I'd love to hear your stories.

3 comments

clairef42•15d ago

Cracked clay liner has me stuck between two repair choices

Some sweeps push for full stainless steel relines to avoid future cracks, while others just mortar the clay to save the homeowner cash. I've dealt with both, and steel jobs rarely call back, but patching sometimes fails after a year. In cold climates like mine, clay shrinks and expands, but steel can get damp and pit if vents aren't perfect. Which side are you on for a fix that holds up?

3 comments

oscarc53•16d ago

Found my first soot-covered notebook from apprentice days.

It's full of hand-drawn chimney sketches and notes. Back then, we relied on memory and paper, not today's gadgets. What old methods do you miss or not miss?

3 comments