Old timer told me to skip the wire brush on clay flues

A guy who has been sweeping since the 70s told me to NEVER use a wire brush on clay flue liners because it will scratch them up and cause soot to stick worse. I tried it on a house built in 1962 last month and now I have to go back because the homeowner says it's smoking way more than before. Has anyone else had to deal with a scratched up clay liner from previous cleanings?

3 comments

3 Comments

keithbutler12d ago

Buddy of mine had to repoint an entire flue because of that.

hollyl4512d ago

Repointing a flue is no joke. Expensive lesson for your buddy.

felix_hayes6411d ago

I ended up just patching the bad spots and it held up fine for years, saved a ton of cash. But yeah, definitely feel his pain on that one.