23
PSA: I was using the wrong brush size for flue cleaning for 6 years
I kept getting black dust everywhere no matter how careful I was. Then an older sweep named Rick at a job site in Portland pointed out my 6 inch brush was way too small for that 10 inch clay flue. He handed me his 9 inch and I got the whole thing clean in one pass with almost no mess. Anybody else realize they were using undersized brushes for way too long?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
evan_burns9511d ago
6 inch brush for a 10 inch flue" nah, one pass doesn't mean clean.
3
annas8711d ago
Yeah I learned that the hard way on a job last winter. You need at least 3 or 4 passes with the brush even if it feels snug. The hollow at the bottom of a 10 inch flue will leave soot behind if you rush it. I always go slow and check with a flashlight between passes now. Better to take an extra 10 minutes than get a call back next month because of a creosote buildup.
6
kelly_west7411d ago
Oh man, I feel this in my bones (and my shoulders, honestly). There's nothing worse than thinking you're done and then finding a little soot pile hiding in that bottom curve like a secret. I've definitely done the "three passes and a prayer" routine more times than I'd like to admit. Flashlight checks are the real pro move, I started doing that after a particularly embarrassing call back where the customer sent me a photo of their dirty flue (ouch). Take it from someone who learned the hard way, rushing never saves time in the long run.
3