For years, I stuck with my old rigid rods and a mirror. A guy at a trade show in Kansas City last fall kept going on about these bendable rods with a light and camera on the end. I figured it was just expensive junk. Then I got a call for a super narrow, winding flue in an old farmhouse. My usual gear wouldn't make the turns. I borrowed a set from a friend as a last try. The camera showed a huge crack in the clay liner about 15 feet up that my mirror would have missed. It saved me from a bad call and a possible house fire. I bought my own set the next week. Has anyone else made the switch and found it changed how you inspect?
I've seen more folks painting their exterior brick chimneys. Looks nice at first. But it traps moisture in the brick. Causes spalling and draft issues later. Had to fix one last week that was a total mess.
I got lazy and stopped checking the damper before starting a sweep. Figured I could just push through any issues. Last Tuesday, it was stuck shut with old rust and gunk. Had to call a mason to help free it, which took all morning. The homeowner had to reschedule, and I lost the pay for that slot. Now I always do a quick look first, no matter how routine the job seems. It saves more time than it takes.
I used to laugh at the idea of warming up before chimney inspections. After pulling a muscle reaching for a tool, I had to listen to an old-timer's advice. Ten minutes of light stretching each morning keeps me moving smoothly all day.
When I first got into sweeping, most homes had those sturdy brick stacks. Now, I see a lot more metal liners in new places. They're easier to clean, but don't have the same character. I remember figuring out the twists in an old flue felt like solving a riddle. Guess that's just how things go.
I keep finding chimneys packed with creosote from people burning unseasoned wood. It's a nightmare to clean and really bad for the air. Plus, it wastes fuel because the fire doesn't burn hot enough. We need to educate folks on using dry wood to save their chimneys and the environment.
Was sweeping a rental property. Pulled out a bundle of old letters. Tied with a ribbon. Tenant had no clue about them. Landlord might want them, but feels invasive.
Some sweeps insist masks are vital against dust, but others find them too clunky, so I'm wondering what you all think.
It makes me think back to when every house on my route had a brick stack we'd clean each fall.
My twelve year old has been tagging along with me on easy jobs for a year now. I finally let him carry some gear and help with the tarp setup. He was moving way smoother than I expected, and he told me it's like setting up for drills with his team. The way he thinks about where to put tools and how to move around a messy hearth is all from that team practice mindset. It's cool to see a hobby I just drive him to actually teach him something useful. Makes the whole grind feel a bit more like we're on the same team, you know?