uma_baker88•2mo agoProlific Poster

Just found a weird way to clear a stubborn flue blockage

Honestly, I was at a job in a 1920s house last week and the flue was totally clogged with what felt like solid creosote. My rods and brush just weren't cutting it after an hour. On a whim, I tried using my shop vac with a long, flexible hose attachment I had for my truck, and I taped a piece of stiff wire to the end to guide it. I ran it up from the fireplace opening and the suction actually broke up the blockage enough for my brush to finish the job. Took maybe 20 extra minutes but saved me from having to come back with more gear. Has anyone else tried something like this, or is it a bad idea I just got lucky with?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavink952mo ago

Actually used to think that was a bad idea, like you'd just push the blockage further up. But after seeing @robert_roberts mention it and trying it on a nasty old chimney last month, it totally works. I mean, you gotta be careful with the hose so you don't scratch the flue liner, but the suction can really loosen things up.

kaip112mo ago

Wait, you can really use a shop vac from the bottom up? I always thought that would just make a bigger mess somehow (like you said, gavink95). But last year I had this totally packed flu and a regular brush did nothing, so I tried the vacuum hose from the fireplace and it pulled out a whole bird's nest in chunks. The key is going slow so you don't jam it, and yeah, definitely watch the liner.

robert_roberts2mo ago

My crew swears by that shop vac trick for at least three tough jobs every fall.