Vent: My old boss in Toledo swore by wire brushes, but I finally switched last month.

Three years ago, I was cleaning a flue in an old Victorian and the wire bristles got stuck on a rough clay tile seam. Spent an extra hour just getting the brush head free. Last month, I bought a poly brush for $85 and used it on a similar job. The difference was night and day, no snagging and it felt gentler on the liner. Anyone else make the switch and notice their jobs going faster?

3 comments

3 Comments

lucas9721mo ago

So the poly brush really doesn't wear down the liner faster? That's the one thing holding me back.

jennifere181mo ago

Yeah I saw a chimney sweep forum where they tested both types on old liners. The poly brush actually left fewer scratches over time because the bristles flex instead of digging in. That convinced me to try one.

amy30218d ago

Honestly, the way some people talk about chimney brushes you'd think we're picking out diamond cutting tools. It's a brush, not a chisel. If a stiff metal wire is your big worry, maybe just avoid power tools and angry badgers in the flue. The poly brush seems like the safe bet for not messing up old liners.