I used to skip the final wire brush pass on every job

For years I thought one good brush pass was enough. I figured the vacuum would get anything I missed. Then a customer called me back in December about smoke backing up into their living room. Turns out a thin layer of creosote I left behind caught fire. It wasn't a big blaze but it scared me straight. Now I go over every flue three times with a stiff wire brush before I even touch the vacuum. I also switched to a dual-brush system last spring. Has anyone else had a close call with a dirty flue they thought was clean?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane_martinez448d ago

Wait, you just used one brush pass and thought that was good enough? I always do at least two passes with a stiff wire brush and a third with a nylon brush to really knock loose anything stuck on. That dual-brush system you switched to is a solid move. I had a similar scare last winter when I found a hot spot on a flue I had just cleaned. Now I check every single inch with a mirror after I'm done.

emma_burns968d ago

Two brush passes is fine for MOST flues, but on heavier buildup that third pass is non-negotiable. I think one pass being risky depends entirely on the chimney condition and what you're burning.