Always saw it as a waste of money, but a friend showed me his before and after creosote levels. Now I get why it's worth it.
I came across a huge nest blocking a flue yesterday and my usual pole wasn't reaching it. A fellow sweep told me to try a hooked grabber tool, and it pulled the whole thing out in one piece! It was so much cleaner than breaking it up manually. Now I always carry one in my truck just in case. Has anyone else found good tools for this job?
I was cleaning a chimney and noticed a draft problem that could lead to carbon monoxide buildup. The homeowner said they'd pay extra if I just cleaned it and didn't mention the issue in my report. What would you do in that spot?
I started asking customers to send video of their chimney before I visit. It lets me spot big problems like bird nests or cracks early. This way, I bring the right tools and don't waste a trip. It's made my schedule much smoother.