That magnetic sweep brush scratched a flue liner in Dayton

Customer called me out last month for a second opinion after another sweep used a magnetic sweep brush on a clay flue liner. That brush picked up a roofing nail and dragged it the whole way down, left deep gouges all over the liner. I pulled the camera in and showed the homeowner, who just stared at the footage. I get that magnetic brushes are faster for steel liners, but on clay, they turn into a nail scraper. Has anyone else seen damage from those or am I the only one who's had to explain that repair quote?

2 comments

2 Comments

amy_martin7h ago

Man, I felt that one in my gut. Same thing happened to me two years ago on a job in Columbus, and the homeowner watched the whole camera feed with me while I pointed out the grooves. That brush picked up a stray staple from an old roofing job and just carved a line down the whole clay liner like it was butter. I had to explain to the guy why his quote went up by 800 bucks, and he kept asking if the other sweep could be held liable. I get that magnetic brushes are great for steel, but on clay they are a disaster waiting to happen, especially in an old house where there is random junk in the flue. You are definitely not alone on this, I would bet half the sweeps in the area have seen the same scratch pattern and just never said anything. Good on you for pulling the camera and showing them straight up what happened.

young.michael54m ago

The insurance side of this is what people miss. Nobody ever checks if the previous sweep had liability coverage for property damage, and most homeowner policies will deny a claim if they find out it was caused by a contractor's tool. That $800 quote could turn into a $4,000 liner replacement with zero recourse if the guy's paperwork wasn't solid. Worth telling that Columbus homeowner to dig up the old invoice and see what kind of insurance that sweep was carrying.