Old timer in Cleveland said to skip the chemical creosote remover and just go at it with a wire brush, and he was dead right

Ray Price · 2026-10-27T01:40:04.108083+00:00

Had a job two weeks ago in an old brick house in Cleveland where the flue was caked with glazed creosote about a quarter inch thick. A retired sweep I know said skip the chemical remover entirely and just work a stiff wire brush in small circles, taking my time. I figured he was just being cheap, but I tried it and the stuff came off in sheets after about 40 minutes instead of the usual overnight soak. He said the chemicals can pit older clay liners and a brush won't. Curious if anyone here still uses the powdered remover on glazed stage three, or has the brush method worked out better for you too?

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Old timer in Cleveland said to skip the chemical creosote remover and just go at it with a wire brush, and he was dead right | Chimney Sweeps - Free To Speak