Vacuum vs. manual sweep: which one makes a bigger difference in dust control?

Been sweeping chimneys for about 8 years now, mostly around the Richmond area. I used to do everything with rods and a brush, just letting the soot fall where it may. About 3 years ago I got a proper HEPA vacuum setup and started using it on every job. The dust difference is night and day, especially in finished basements where you can't just open a door. But I still run into old-timers who swear the vacuum clogs up too fast on heavy creosote jobs and strips out too much air from the flue. They say a manual sweep gives you a better feel for blockages. I had a job last month where the vacuum actually saved me from missing a hidden crack in the liner because the soot didn't cloud everything up. So which side do you guys lean on for a standard residential job with moderate buildup?

2 comments

2 Comments

jesse_craig2612d ago

Oh wow, you're spot on about the vacuum saving you from missing hidden cracks.

willow_garcia11d ago

Hell yeah, right? That's the whole thing that sold me on a nicer vacuum in the first place. Did you ever have rugs or corners you thought were clean but then the vacuum pulled out a whole dust bunny out of nowhere? It's a game changer when you realize how much junk gets trapped in those spots you never even see. Makes you wonder what else is hiding in plain sight around the house, huh?