[Hidden-tech] chimney sweep recommendation

[Jim Ussailis]

Several years ago I bought a brush and 10 fiberglass rods. The rods are 3 
feet long so you will need one more than required to go to top of the 
flue stack. The brush is sized to be a tight fir in the flue stack. I got 
mine at Florence Hardware, but I am sure the better hardware stores have 
them.

13 years ago the stuff cost about $60.

Because the brush is such a tight fit, you must push it above the chimny 
as you will not be able to reverse it midway thru the cleaning process. 
Get enough fiberglass rods.

The procedure is simple. Place some papers / plastic under the 
area where the stove pipe comes out. When  you take the pipe out 
there can be a lot of mess. Disconnect / remove the metal smoke stack. Go 
outside with it to get the dirt out. I usually clean it with a soft 
brush on a flex handle.

Next attach one rod to the brush & push it into the flue.
Get a shop vac and place the hose in the flue just below the brush. Place 
a rag over the flue hole. Now push the brush up, adding a rod section as 
needed. When the brush clears the top of the flue, pull it down. Most of 
the soot will come down on the down stroke, so keep the vac running, and 
the rag in the hole.

Placing a large plastic bag in the shop vac before you start helps on 
clean-up there.

I clean the flue twice a year. About now, and again during the Janurary thaw.

Jim Ussailis

jim at nationalwireless.com



On Sun, 6 Nov 2005, Chris Duncan, GISmatters wrote:

>    ** Be a Good Dobee and help the group
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> 
> I'm interested in good recommendations as well.  Twice in the last month 
> I've left a message with an Amherst-based sweep, the second time with a 
> comment that I'd already called two weeks earlier and would really like to 
> hear back... never got a call back either time.  Maybe they are very good 
> and have no time for new customers, but that doesn't help me much...
> 
> Chris
> 
> Frieda Reichsman wrote:
> > Can anyone recommend an experienced, good local chimney sweep? 
> > (Shutesbury/Montague/Amherst etc.)
> -- 
> 
> Chris Duncan, Ph.D.
> President/Senior Consultant
> GISmatters
> 
> duncan at GISmatters.com
> http://www.gismatters.com/
> 
> 227 E Pleasant St
> Amherst, MA 01002
> 
> Tel: 413-549-2052
> Fax: 508-637-2557
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