Started using a leaf blower to pre-clean fireboxes and it cut my sweep time in half
I picked up a cheap battery leaf blower for $60 after a guy at the supply house in Tulsa mentioned he uses one before brushing, and I figured it was worth a shot on a dirty rental property last week. Turns out blowing out the loose soot and ash first means my brushes stay cleaner and I get through the flue way faster, no more clogging up on the first pass. Has anyone else tried this, and do you worry about kicking ash dust into the living room if the hearth isn't sealed off good?