emma72•11d ago

Saw a video of a brush popping off inside a flue and it changed how I pack my kit

I used to just grab whatever brush head fit the pipe and hope for the best. Then last week I watched a clip from a chimney inspection where a guy's wire brush came loose at the 10 foot mark and got stuck sideways in the terra cotta liner. He had to spend 3 hours trying to fish it out with a magnet and a grabber tool. That image stuck with me. Now I always double check the set screw on my brush handle before I even climb up on the roof. I also started carrying a spare locking pin in my truck after losing one on a job in Alexandria last month. Has anyone else ever had a brush head snap off or get lodged in a flue?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan95211d agoMost Upvoted

Yep. Had a brush pop off on a job in Arlington about two years ago. It wedged itself in the flue right at a slight bend and I had to use a shop vac with a narrow hose to get enough suction to pull it loose. Took me over an hour and I was late to my next call. I check the set screw on every single brush I own before I use it now.

parker22411d ago

Man, that's a heck of a way to learn a lesson the hard way.