Hit 50 chimneys cleaned in a week and I'm still not sure if that's normal or insane

Last month I did 52 sweeps in 7 days, mostly around the older neighborhoods in Portland. Half were these tiny flues from the 1920s that took forever, the other half were simple liners I could knock out in 30 minutes. My back is telling me that's too many, but the cash says otherwise. How many do you guys usually aim for in a busy week without burning out?

3 comments

3 Comments

henry_martinez8d ago

Used to think 30 was my max but then I had a slow winter and had to cram 48 in 6 days last February. Changed my whole idea of what's possible, though my knees are definitely filing a complaint.

bennett.patricia8d ago

Got 47 in 7 days back in 2021 because I double booked a work trip with a buddy's bachelor party and had no choice. Honestly thought I was gonna die by day 4, but then something weird happened, I started to actually enjoy the chaos and the lack of sleep made everything feel like a blurry dream. My lower back still gives me grief if I sit wrong, and I swear I can hear my left knee pop when I climb stairs now. But there's a weird pride in pushing past what you thought was your limit even if your body hates you for it later.

thomas.tyler8d ago

48 in 6 days is insane lol. My personal best is 43 but I spread it out over a whole month and still felt like I got hit by a truck. Your knees aren't filing a complaint they're filing a lawsuit.