c/chimney-sweeps

Spent $400 on a new camera inspection kit last fall

It paid for itself in two weeks by finding a cracked flue tile a regular sweep would have missed. Do you guys find the video proof helps close more repair jobs?

My old boss said to never quote under $400 for a full clean. Did my first solo job in Springfield for $350 and it took me 7 hours.

A hard creosote blockage made me rethink quick fixes

My buddies all use fast methods, but I found that patience prevents damage.

My switch to bamboo brushes ended with a chimney full of splinters

So, I decided to try out these new bamboo chimney brushes because I wanted to be more green, you know? Figured it would help cut down on plastic waste. Well, last week I was cleaning this old farmhouse chimney, and halfway up, the brush just fell apart completely. Tiny bamboo pieces went everywhere, like it was raining toothpicks. The homeowner came out to check the noise and started laughing when he saw the mess. I had to spend an extra hour picking bits out of the soot, and now I'm back to my trusty steel brush. Lesson learned: sometimes the eco option isn't ready for prime time. Still, it was a good laugh, and the guy gave me a tip for the show.

Vent: My old no-goggles habit nearly cost me an eye

Thinking back to when I swept chimneys with my grandad... we never wore any eye gear. He’d just squint and brush it off, saying real sweeps tough it out. But a while back, I was up on a roof and a chunk of old creosote came loose... right into my eye. Had to climb down fast and get it rinsed out, which was a real scare. So I stopped taking chances and now goggles go on before I even touch the ladder. Since making that switch, I haven’t had a single eye scare, and I notice fine cracks in the flue I used to miss. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until it goes wrong... and now I won’t start a job without them. Funny how a small change can make the work so much safer and easier.

Hot take: Cleaning out ash is the worst part of the job, no contest.

Every time I finish a sweep, I'm covered in soot and ash. Why can't they invent a vacuum that actually works for this mess?

Hot take: Look at the liner before a fireplace update

When folks plan to redo their fireplace, I tell them to check the chimney liner first. A cracked liner can be a fire risk that gets ignored during pretty changes. I use a camera on a pole to get a good view inside. It saves trouble later and keeps the home safe.

Taller chimneys on new builds mean more ladder time, found a workaround.

Lately, all the new houses in my area have chimneys that are a good foot higher than before. It's turning simple sweeps into a full-on ladder workout. I started using an extension pole with a swivel head to reach from a lower angle. Saves me from hauling the big ladder around for every job. Funny how a small change in design can add so much time.

I finally caved and put in a chimney liner after years of resisting

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.

DAE have a go-to method for dealing with stubborn bird nests in chimneys?

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?

Hot take: A customer offered me cash to not report a draft issue

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?

Can we talk about video calls for chimney inspections?

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.