Dealer Recommending cleaning from top down only... why?

OK so Just curious. Why would my dealer/installer recommend only cleaning from the top down?

My insert has a Blockoff plate because of a vermiculite poured insulation in the chimney. I can't see a reason why he would recommend only top down cleaning? Any thoughts?

My dealer works with another service company, so I can see how he might get some form of a kickback every job he recommends. Also the service guys have had to come out 4 times on their dollar because of issues with the install. Nice people and a nice dealer, but just wanted to make sure it wasn't some other reason than this. I like using the sooteater and after inspecting the flue with a boroscope last time, saw it did a great job all the way till where I ran out of connecting rods. I'm buying more so I can reach the top for the next cleaning.

Bare in mind, if I hadn't run out and had to go on the roof in the first place, I wouldnt have notice that the chimney cap was not correctly affixed to the clay flue and would likely have gotten water intrusion. So its good to double check and visually inspect anyway.

I think he's actually quite knowledgeable and an honest guy to boot. I didn't ask him why, and to be fair, he has been exceptional whenever I had a question or had a service related issue. I would still highly recommend him. Additionally, the installers he used (same as the service people) were extremely friendly, clean, and were good about explaining everything to me. I do wish that in the beginning we either went with a pre-insulated liner over the single wall and the vermiculite. That would have saved the extra service calls when the vermiculite leaked past the barrier they installed. But hey, that was their decision, and they stood by it and cleaned and serviced the issue each time at their expense.

Great Point Begreen... Because I burned last year with a mix of wood (first year) I did end up with a bit of Creosote build up up there. Not a huge amount. I did visually inspect it and ended up with a little over a cup of creosote from burning roughly 2 cords of wood. I think the reason why there was more than expected was because we had roughly 3 bags worth of vermiculite leak out behind the stove before they put a block-off plate in, leaving a few feet up top un-insulated on the flue. This year my wood supply is seasoned much better and I've been able to change some of my burning habits, and they completely topped up the insulation to the cap.

I'll take your reply as a compliment. I try to learn as much as I can from you all. I wish I could have the kind of wood supplies you all have, but alas, being in a sub-division with limited wooded areas has hindered me just a little bit.

I think the installers had the right idea, wrong execution. I asked them at first about putting in a blockoff plate and they said, it wouldnt be needed. After the first leak, I said, well I think a block off plate would have stopped this. He told me, Yeah, we should have done that in the first place, but it would have taken more time to fabricate one.

So yeah, I would be willing to bet that the next time they do an install with a poured vermiculite insulation, they will take the time to do a blockoff plate instead of stuffing roxul in the opening. It would have saved them 3 different visits to correct the issue.