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Chimney Sweeping an Old Profession Still Relevant in the 21st Century

Modern chimney sweeps use high-tech equipment to keep chimneys and homes safe and clean.
Chimspector
Modern chimney sweeps use high-tech equipment to keep chimneys and homes safe and clean.

Where the old image of the chimney sweep is a skinny guy with a big brush covered with grime and soot, the modern chimney sweep is much cleaner and uses high tech equipment in the 21st century, according to two Columbia sweeps.  There are about 30 chimney sweeps in the state, and they keep busy.   Sweep Drew Stein says dense plastic rods with brushes now are inserted into chimneys and spun with a drill to clean soot and creosote – a flammable byproduct of burning wood – from chimneys, which prevents dangerous chimney fires. 

Stein's colleague Steven Lantry says the modern sweep also inspects chimneys with a camera system to detect creosote, cracked masonry and water damage, among other potential dangers.  The sweeps say they’ve also found some pretty unusual objects lodged in chimneys over the years, from money to owls and ducks to beer cans, historic newspapers and a football, among other things.  They both get satisfaction from their profession, they say, because they know they’re helping people to keep their homes safe and their property values intact. 

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.