Sweeping a liner question

[jocam]

I live in a bungalow and paid a "reputable" sweep to clean my chimney last year. It seemed too easy so I bought a 6 inch poly brush and four rods.
I gave it a go last week. Problem was my liner is 5.5 inches. So I snipped it down with a pair of heavy duty snips. This seemed to work but left me with sore hands.
When I brushed the liner, it seemed snug. I was able to push it down and pull it up with moderate resistance. Pushing up and down like using a clean out tool or toilet brush was not possible. I was concerned that I may/or did dislodge my liner from the top of the insert. The chimney cap and collar were attached with a compression collar and a single screw, I thought it may have been secured similarly at the insert. I gave it two runs up and down then called it quits.
After inspecting from below with one of those extendable, circular inspection mirrors, I was satisfied that the liner was still fixed in place.
Sooooo, how much resistance should there be when sweeping? Am I insane for resizing my brush? Is it too tight given my description? I know it is 5.5 inches or smaller (my brush that is)?
Any other sweeping advice is welcome.

 

[budman]

I live in a bungalow and paid a "reputable" sweep to clean my chimney last year. It seemed too easy so I bought a 6 inch poly brush and four rods.
I gave it a go last week. Problem was my liner is 5.5 inches. So I snipped it down with a pair of heavy duty snips. This seemed to work but left me with sore hands.
When I brushed the liner, it seemed snug. I was able to push it down and pull it up with moderate resistance. Pushing up and down like using a clean out tool or toilet brush was not possible. I was concerned that I may/or did dislodge my liner from the top of the insert. The chimney cap and collar were attached with a compression collar and a single screw, I thought it may have been secured similarly at the insert. I gave it two runs up and down then called it quits.
After inspecting from below with one of those extendable, circular inspection mirrors, I was satisfied that the liner was still fixed in place.
Sooooo, how much resistance should there be when sweeping? Am I insane for resizing my brush? Is it too tight given my description? I know it is 5.5 inches or smaller (my brush that is)?
Any other sweeping advice is welcome.

A little bit more snipping of that brush should do it.

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

Mine is quite tight but goes down with some force. I think you would probably want the brush to have as much friction as possible. If it is near impossible to get it down the liner, a little more trimming will help. Not too much, you can always take a little more off but you can't add..

As for dislodging, it should be screwed with 3 to 4 screws hold the liner to stove.