What age were chimney sweeps?

What age were chimney sweeps?

The ideal age for a chimney sweep to begin working was said to be 6 years old, but sometimes they were used beginning at age 4. The child would shimmy up the flue using his back, elbows, and knees. He would use a brush overhead to knock soot loose; the soot would fall down over him.

How old were Victorian chimney sweeps?

It was a brutal, dreary existence for Victorian child chimney sweeps. Some were as young as 3 years old. Their tiny size made them a popular choice for going down the narrow chimney stacks.

How much did child chimney sweeps get paid?

From 1773, master chimney sweeps regularly kept anywhere from 2 to 20 children, depending on how many they could use for their business. For each child, the master sweep was paid 3-4 pounds by the government when the apprenticeship agreement was signed.

How does a chimney sweep clean your chimney?

Chimney sweeps use a heavy metal bristled brush to clean your chimney. These tools are long rods, with the bristles located at the very tip. Professional chimney sweeps will also be outfitted in gloves, goggles, and masks to protect themselves from the soot and ash.

Are Duraflame logs bad for chimney?

Do duraflame firelogs cause excessive creosote buildup? Burning a duraflame® firelog results in significantly less creosote accumulation than burning wood. If this material is not regularly removed from the chimney burning a hot fire in the fireplace could ignite it and cause a chimney fire.

How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?

Here are seven tell-tale signs that indicate your chimney or fireplace needs cleaning:

1. Your fireplace smells like a campfire.
2. Fires burn oddly.
3. It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going.
4. Smoke fills the room.
5. The fireplace damper is black.
6. Fireplace walls have oily marks.
7. There’s evidence of animals.

Why do potato peels clean chimneys?

The potato peels burn at high energy and will help push the soot and creosote out of the chimney.