LESLIE: Now we’ve got Trudy from California who’s got a chimney sweeping question. How can we help you?
TRUDY: Hi, yes. My concern is that for years, when we’ve had someone come out to clean our chimney, they always go up on the roof to clean it.
TOM: OK. Yep.
TRUDY: And it’s a two-story home. There’s an elbow right before it hits the ceiling and exits our home and my concern is that the creosote was built up in that elbow because the last chimney sweep said that he couldn’t go on the roof and he did it from inside the home, through the stove. And I’m not real sure he could get it clean and I’m afraid of a fire; you know, chimney fire.
TOM: Yep. Why could he not go on the roof?
TRUDY: You know, he didn’t say but he was a fairly large man and I’m thinking maybe he doesn’t want to climb up there. (Tom and Leslie chuckle) He was a pretty good-sized guy.
TOM: Yeah, it wasn’t that he couldn’t; it was that he wouldn’t. Well, listen; it’s a dangerous job and you have to be sure-footed to do something like that. I do think it’s important that a chimney sweep do the inspection from above and from below.
LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
TOM: Now, if it’s possible that that area you’re concerned about was visible without going on the roof, then perhaps you don’t have to worry about it but, typically, you’re going to get most of the creosote down the bottom; if that makes you feel a little bit better.
TRUDY: OK, good.
TOM: But if you’ve got a nook or a cranny up there, it could get trapped inside. So in the best-case scenario, yeah, should be cleaned from the top and the bottom.
TRUDY: OK. Thank you very much.
TOM: You’re welcome, Trudy. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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