Ran into a homeowner who changed how I think about creosote treatments

Had a job last Tuesday in a house built in 1952. Owner said he'd used a chemical log every month for 10 years. I told him those logs don't replace a proper sweep, but he pushed back. He pulled out a folder with every service record and photo from the last decade. Made me realize I've been too quick to dismiss customers who try these products themselves. Has anyone else had a homeowner teach them something unexpected about maintenance habits?

2 comments

2 Comments

charlesj461mo ago

My buddy saw a guy who'd been brushing his own flue for 20 years.

ninas701mo ago

Oh wow, twenty years brushing his own flue? That's wild. You gotta wonder how many times he nearly set his house on fire though, right? I mean, sure, you can learn to do it yourself, but one bad season of creosote buildup and you're playing with fire literally. Most folks I know just pay a pro every couple years 'cause it's not worth the risk. And think about all the little cracks and hidden spots he's probably missed over two decades. A professional chimney sweep has the tools and the experience to spot things you'd never see.