The Chimney Sweep: a story

Do you remember the first time you saw the movie Mary Poppins? The magic of the scene on the rooftops of London, with chimney sweeps dancing precariously close to the roof's edge, has thrilled audiences of all ages for years. While singing and dancing may not be the strong suit of todays chimney sweeps, we perform a vitally important service that will help assure the safety of your home and family.

Chimney Sweeping was begun mostly in England during the 17th or 18th century, where it was a government policy that all flues, or chimneys, be swept often to prevent catastrophic fires due to the close proximity of the urban housing. The chimneys of the period were very large, so small boys, usually sold into slavery from orphanages, called "climbing boys" were sent up the flue to brush away the soot by hand. Often, an older more experienced boy followed behind. If the new boy slowed down or stopped, the boy underneath would poke the younger boy's feet with needles. It was because of this and because many children got stuck and died in chimneys that narrowed at the top. At some point the Queen of England supposedly offered a reward for a better way of cleaning the chimneys. Thus, the rods and brushes that are still used today came into use.

During the 1900's families moved away from solid fuel to more convenient forms of heating - gas and electricity in particular. Then came the two oil crises in the 1970's, when cost of heating fuels soared and many people reclaimed the tradition of cutting and burning their own wood. Unfortunately for them, these fireplaces had often not been properly cleaned or serviced in a very long time and the result was catostrophic chimney and house fires. As the popularity of solid fuel burning appliances and fireplaces increased, so did the need for chimney sweeps, a skilled trade still growing today.

The traditional outfit of top hat and tails was worn because wealthy undertakers would give their clothes away to the sweeps. In fact, after researching why many of the early sweeps didn't live past their teen years, it was found that creosote, a highly combustible by-product of wood or coal burning, is carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Bathing in 17th century England was often a luxury seldom undertaken. Sweeps in England hardly never washed the soot off their bodies.

Todays sweeps take pride in being able to diagnose, service, and repair chimneys and venting systems that serve a full range of fuels, such as coal, wood, gas, oil, pellets, corn, and more. Companies such as Nature's Way, install alternative energy appliances and reline damaged chimneys in addition to assuring that your climney is clean and safe.

How do chimney sweeps learn their trade? In Canada, there are a series of courses and tests that are taken before one can be WETT (Wood Energy Technical Training) certified. In the United States, the trade can be learned through the Sweeps School or there is a testing procedure for certification by the National Chimney Sweep Guild through the Chimney Safety Institute of America. They learn how to clean the damper, fire shelf, and firebox. They also learn how to diagnose, service, and repair many problems. All of the sweeps working for Natures Way will be certified or in the process of pursuing certification.

Chimney sweeping has come a long way over a long period of time. As one sweep remarked after working on the White House, "We all regarded it as an honor to be there, to work shoulder to shoulder with respected Colleagues, and there was just a real team spirit and cooperation. That's what's so great about chimney sweeps; there's a sense of fellowship that you don't get in other industries."