Choosing between a brush and a whip for a tight flue in an old farmhouse

I had a job last week at a farmhouse built in the 1920s with a really narrow, crooked flue. The choice was between my standard poly brush and a more flexible steel whip. I went with the whip because I was worried about getting the brush stuck on a bend. It took a bit longer, maybe 20 extra minutes, but it got all the creosote without a single snag. Has anyone else had a better tool for these tight, old flues?

2 comments

2 Comments

val_craig3712h ago

Good call on the whip, but that extra time is key. Rushing a tight flue is how you get a real jam. What's your backup plan if the whip ever binds up?

tyler_baker11h ago

Backup plan?" Man, if the whip ever really binds up in a tight flue, you're already having the worst day. I just try not to think about that happening.