Pro tip: nearly set a house on fire last Tuesday in Denver because I skipped the final wire brush pass on a flue liner

The homeowner called me back three days later complaining of smoke smell, and when I pulled the cap off, there was still a thin crust of creosote I'd missed that had been smoldering the whole time, so has anyone else had to go back for a re-clean after thinking they were done?

2 comments

2 Comments

anderson.jason1d ago

Three whole days of smoldering inside the flue and it just didn't catch fire? Honestly, that's some insane luck right there. I would have been sick to my stomach driving back to that call knowing what I left behind. Glad you caught it before it turned into a real disaster.

hernandez.brooke1d ago

Oh man, @anderson.jason I did the exact same thing last year with a dryer vent. Cleaned it out on a Tuesday, thought I got it all, then got called back Saturday because the homeowner smelled smoke. Found a wad of lint wedged behind the drum that was literally charred black on one side. My stomach dropped right through the floor when I saw that. You bet I triple check everything now, even the stuff that looks clean.