Found a hidden crack in a flue liner up in Burlington last week

I was doing a standard cleaning on a 15 year old prefab fireplace. The owner said it had been fine, no smells or smoke. My camera showed a clean looking flue, but when I ran the brush down, I felt a slight catch about 8 feet up. Got the camera back in there and angled it just right. There was a vertical hairline crack, maybe 6 inches long, hidden behind a small buildup of creosote. The homeowner was shocked. He said the last sweep, three years ago, just did a basic brush and never mentioned a camera. This could have been a real problem come winter. How many of us are just doing the quick brush and go, especially on those jobs that seem straightforward? What's your go-to method to make sure you never miss something like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

troy_ross2mo ago

Ever have that feeling where the brush just doesn't sound right? I always run the camera down first for a look, then after the brush to check my work. That before and after view is the only way to spot a hairline crack that gets hidden by soot. Skipping the camera is just guessing.

the_thomas2mo ago

What, you don't just trust the magic soot fairy?

roseb626d ago

2 years ago I had the exact same thing with a crack hidden behind a light coating of creosote. Camera saved the homeowner a potential fire, no question. The before and after view is the best practice, you've got it exactly right.