Just changed my mind about those flexible chimney cleaning rods

I used a set of those new polypropylene rods from ChimneyFlex on a standard brick flue in a house in Tacoma. The whole thing buckled and got stuck about 8 feet up, and I spent an extra hour fishing it out. I learned that for anything but the straightest, shortest runs, you really can't beat the old steel rods for control. Has anyone else had a bad time with the flexible ones on older masonry?

2 comments

2 Comments

lisa_carter3110d ago

Honestly, did you use the guide rod at the bottom? Tbh I've had the opposite happen on a few old chimneys here. The flex ones with a good guide just seem to find their way around offsets that would jam a steel rod solid. Steel can be too stiff sometimes and catch on a rough patch.

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aaron_flores849d ago

Ever notice how the right tool being flexible beats the "stronger" one that just gets stuck? It's like trying to force a conversation versus just listening and finding the way through. That stiff steel rod is all pride with no give, and then you're just stuck at some old brick ledge. Makes you wonder how many other problems we over-engineer with brute force when a little bend would get the job done.