Why does nobody talk about using a leaf blower for a quick pre-sweep?

I tried it on a brick chimney in Charlotte last month and it just pushed a ton of soot into the living room. Has anyone found a better way to clear loose debris before the rods go in?

3 comments

3 Comments

carr.willow2mo ago

Actually that's the whole point, you just did it wrong. Gotta seal off the fireplace opening first with plastic sheeting and tape. A leaf blower on a low setting works great to get all the leaves and bird nests out of the top before you start scrubbing. Why make more work for yourself hauling all that down by hand?

the_sarah2mo ago

Seal off the fireplace with plastic sheeting" sounds like a whole production. For a few leaves? I just stuff an old towel in the opening. A leaf blower seems like overkill, that's just gonna blow dust everywhere in the house anyway. My way takes ten minutes and gets it clean enough.

noahcampbell1mo ago

Oh man, that sounds like a mess. I saw a chimney sweep on youtube say you should always vacuum first, not blow. He used a shop vac with a long hose from the top to suck out all the loose stuff before ever touching a brush. The leaf blower idea seems good in theory but you're right, it just makes a cloud of dust inside. That vacuum trick seems way cleaner.