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Can we talk about the switch from steel brushes to poly bristles for flue cleaning?

I did a job on a 50 foot clay tile flue in an old Portland house last month. The owner said the last sweep, three years ago, used a heavy steel brush and it took him over four hours. I brought my new poly kit and was done in under two, with way less dust and no worry about cracking the tiles. Some old timers say steel gets it cleaner, but I think the new stuff is just as good and safer for historic liners. What's your take on brush material for different jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

wood.eric22d ago

But what about a really gunked-up flue?

the_wendy22d ago

Honestly, poly brushes are the clear winner now. Your experience proves they're faster and safer, especially on old tile. The steel purists are just stuck in their ways.

the_lisa22d ago

Saw a chimney sweep on YouTube who swears by poly for exactly what @wood.eric described. He said the flex helps it grab the weird shapes without getting stuck. Makes a lot of sense for those tough jobs.