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PSA: Found out my brush is 3 sizes too small for most flues
Was over at a buddy's shop last week and he showed me his set of brushes. I've been using the same 6-inch brush for like 5 years now on everything. Turns out most residential flues are 8 to 10 inches wide and I've just been scraping a tiny strip down the middle. Ever since I switched to the 9-inch one the soot comes out way faster and cleaner. Anyone else realize they've been using the wrong tool forever without knowing?
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patricia327d ago
My buddy laughed his head off when I told him I'd been using a 4-inch chimney brush for two years on a 9-inch flue. I mean, I was basically just tickling the creosote, you know? I thought the scraping noise meant it was working, turns out it was just the bristles bouncing off the walls. Switched to an 8-inch one yesterday and got more soot out in one pass than I did in six months of my old method. Guess I owe my chimney a real cleaning now (and maybe an apology).
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harperp246d ago
Oh man, I gotta push back a little here. I mean, sure a 9-inch flue with a 4-inch brush is way undersized, but I've heard some people say a slightly smaller brush can actually be better for tight spots or weird angles. It's not the most efficient, but if you're doing it regularly and getting some material out, it's not a total waste of time. Did you notice any big difference in draft or smoke smell before you switched?
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nancy_wood6d ago
Did you actually notice a smell or draft issue before you switched? I had the SAME problem with my old stove and a brush that was way too small. It's crazy how much creosote builds up in those hidden layers. Once I got the right size brush, I saw a big difference in how clean the flue felt and the smoke smell went away almost completely. It's worth the swap for sure.
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