Alternatives to Chemney Sweeep

Buy a soot eater and work from the bottom up.

The fire code in BC states that your chimney must be checked atleast once a year for buildups of 3mm or greater. And if there is build up 3mm or greater it must be cleaned. It doesn't state that a sweep has to do the checkingor cleaning. But someone has to. If you can't check it and clean it yourself, you need to hire someone to. A 'chimney sweep log' isn't going to cut it.

I will speak a bit for sweeps in saying there's a lot more to the job then what just happens on site. The liability, cleaning and laundering of sheets/gear, consumable items(gloves, rods, filters, cleaning heads, etc, etc). The 'cheap' sweep may not be the one to hire. What sort of gear are they running? How clean will/can they be with that gear? Are they insured?

If you live 'way out' somewhere where there is no local sweep. It can cost a lot to get a professional sweep out. Time is money.

I second kennyp233., have rags, nose/mouth mask, eye protection avail. and a drill. You will get dirty, in return you can see how you burning, meaning what is collecting around the walls of the pipe.

What type of liner do you have. A previous post lead me to believe a sooteater could damage a SS liner due to the rods whipping around.

I believe rotary cleaning to be superior and less damaging to liners then running a poly brush up and down. You just do it smoothly and thoroughly. Don't beat stuff up. No need to rush, espescially if you're doing it for yourself.

If you do it yourself and get yourself dirty with soot. Clean yourself up asap. Exposure is everything.

bholler said:

Nope if that damages your liner you need a better liner

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Same goes with a poly broom. I've never heard of a poly broom damaging anything.

I don't think a poly broom would damage a liner more than rotary, but I do believe that rotary will clean better.

I'd be curious to hear other people's opinions. I'm pretty wet behind the ears still.

$150 is in line with other places, maybe a bit on the cheap side depending on your setup.

Is this a new house for you or something? You sound like you haven't had to deal with this before.

Remember Canadian prices. Two liners is two flues. My price would be right in the middle of those quotes to be honest.

bholler said:

Nope if that damages your liner you need a better liner

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Thanks, I'll have to research more. Like to have options but my 8 inch rutland sweepsall brush is working fine also.