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For as long as houses have had fireplaces, chimney sweeps have been essential for removing potential hazards and enabling the flue to function properly. Without their services, ash and soot can build up, blocking the air passages that carry smoke out of the house.

Today, cleaning is a simple process that an expert can perform in around 45 minutes, depending on the job. Two hundred years ago, however, it was often dangerous, made worse by the fact that it was typically performed by children. Here’s a brief history of this industry’s evolution through the centuries.

Chimney Sweeps From the Victorian Period Through Today

Child Laborers

In the 1700s and 1800s, coal was the main heat source for homes in many cities, resulting in an enormous need for chimney cleaners. However, the flues were too small for adults, and extended brushes had not yet been invented. Children were sadly the solution. Apprenticeship was common in that era, so master sweepers essentially purchased children from poor houses and orphanages and trained them to climb up the chimneys and scrape soot away.

This job was hazardous and miserable. It was not uncommon for children to suffocate or fall to their deaths. Even grimmer were the long-term results of this employment: Constantly breathing the ash and other substances caused many to develop cancer.

The Switch to Tools

chimney sweepIn 1864, the British Parliament finally outlawed the use of children, forcing the development of newer, safer innovations. People began using brushes on extended poles to reach the depths of the chimney. They also used heavy weights to drag brushes down the flue.

The Industry Today

Today, although coal is no longer widely used, professional chimney sweeps perform many functions, including fireplace repair, vent cleaning, assistance with gas fireplaces, and more. This respectable, important service endures in many countries around the world, helping to keep homes safe and functional.

 

For professional chimney sweep services around the Greater Dayton, OH, area, contact the professionals at Abbey Road Chimney Sweeps. For nearly 40 years, they’ve worked hard to provide the best service possible for their customers. That’s why they go the extra mile by helping educate customers about proper chimney care, and why they will answer all your questions and work for as long as it takes to complete the job. Learn more today by visiting them online or calling (937) 833-0505.

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