Found a weirdly effective way to clear a tough creosote blockage in an old farmhouse flue

Was working on a chimney in a 1905 farmhouse outside Lancaster and hit a creosote plug that my rods and brush just wouldn't budge. On a whim, I used a section of old, heavy-duty chain from my truck, lowered it down, and gave it a few sharp snaps. The vibration broke the plug loose in about 10 minutes when I'd already spent an hour on it. Has anyone else tried something unconventional like that on a stubborn blockage?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice_allen525d ago

My old man used a bag of nuts and bolts once.

singh.harper25d ago

Man, that's smart. It's all about the shock load, right? That chain acts like a dead blow hammer. I've seen guys use a heavy rope with a big knot on the end for the same reason on old stone chimneys. The sudden stop transfers way more energy than just pushing with a rod.

flores.emma24d ago

Yeah, the "sudden stop" thing @singh.harper mentioned is everywhere once you look for it. It's why a quick, sharp tap with a hammer can free a rusty bolt when leaning on a wrench all day does nothing. You see it in kitchens, too, smacking a ketchup bottle on the side instead of just squeezing. That instant transfer of energy just works.