Appreciation post: The old timer who told me my brush angle was wrong

I've been doing chimney sweeps for about 5 years now. Always thought I had a solid technique with my rod and brush. Then about 6 months ago I was on a job in downtown Portland and this older guy, probably in his 70s, was watching me from the next roof over. He just yelled across and said, 'You're fighting the flue with that angle, son.' I was kind of annoyed at first. But after I finished that job I went back to my truck and thought about it. Next day I tried his way, tilting the brush head more to follow the natural curve of the chimney instead of forcing it straight up and down. Cut my time on each job by about 15 minutes. Now I check my brush angle on every single job before I start. Has anyone else had a random stranger give them a tip that actually worked better than what they learned in training?

2 comments

2 Comments

xenagarcia6d ago

and that's exactly the kind of thing that makes you wonder what else you've been doing wrong without knowing it, right? so my question is how did you actually go about testing his tip without messing up a paying job? like did you just try it on the next easy flue you had or did you go find a practice chimney somewhere first? i'm always curious about the moment someone actually commits to trying a stranger's advice instead of just nodding and forgetting about it.

valh326d ago

Nah, best way to learn is on a real job. Improvise, adapt, hope for the best.