Chimney Sweeping Product Review For The Rotary Cleaning System

a href="http://www.tamarbrushes.co.uk" target="new"> Rotary Cleaning SystemAt the beginning of 2007 I started looking for a method of cleaning tar and creosote from flues - normally ones that have not been cleaned for some considerable time.  I did not want to use chemicals as there are many complications which I didn't want to get involved with.  After a conversation with an American chimney sweep I found a company who had developed a system called RoKlean which used a rotating brush driven by a hand drill.  So I imported the whole system which consists of five different types of brushes made of plastic, titanium-impregnated plastic chains and steel wire.  At about the same time I discovered an English company called Tamar which had also developed a rotary cleaning system.

Vacuum Rotary headsI managed to obtain some flexible flue lining and some rigid flue lining from a local flue-fitting company and got to work testing both products.  I also managed to gain access to a derelict building which had four pre-1966 lime and cement linings.  I then tested both systems on all these flues and checked the results with my CCTV equipment.  I found that the American system was very aggressive and severely damaged the pre-1966 lining but seemed to be very efficient on the flexible and pre-fabricated linings.  However the American rods seemed too rigid for English flues as these flues tend to have two or more bends in them.  The English system, which consists of rotating chain or a Standard English brush on flexible rods, appeared in some cases not as aggressive as the American system.  So I made a trip to the local engineering company and had some adaptors made so I can mix and match the two different systems plus a few refinements and innovations of my own.  Again the hybrid system seemed to be too aggressive for the pre-1966 flue.  Unfortunately I will not now use any rotary cleaning system on these flues if they are severely tarred.  The only thing I can say is, if you do burn lots of wood perhaps you should have your flue swept more regularly to prevent the build up of tar and creosote (prevention is better than cure).

For the first year of using a rotary system on flexible or rigid pre-fabricated flues I always used my CCTV equipment to check the results and I must say, I was impressed with the results.

In my opinion rotary cleaning is not a replacement for the traditional British way of cleaning flues but a useful weapon in my arsenal against heavily tarred and creosoted flues, which have been neglected.  All flues before they are swept either by the traditional method or rotary cleaning method are fully risk assessed by myself to see if they are suitable and safe for sweeping.

You may also be interested in my product review of CCTV equipment for chimney sweeping.

Dave - The Chimney Sweeper