Found a huge crack in a flue liner that the homeowner said was just cleaned

Did a job in Akron last week where the customer swore their chimney was swept six months ago. Got up there and the clay liner had a vertical crack you could fit a quarter into. They had a different guy who just brushed it and never did a proper camera check. That's a carbon monoxide risk waiting to happen. How do you explain the need for an inspection camera to people who think a sweep is just cleaning?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandraflores2d ago

Explain it like a home security system. A basic sweep just checks the front door is locked, but a camera goes room to room looking for broken windows. That crack is a broken window letting bad air into the house. People get that a visual check is more complete than just running a brush through and hoping for the best.

sethhernandez2d agoTop Commenter

Reminds me of when my neighbor swore his old car was fine because it started every morning. Took it to a real mechanic who found a cracked engine block slowly leaking coolant. The basic check missed the whole story. Visual inspection found the problem you couldn't hear or feel until it was too late. Some things you just have to see for yourself.