THEY'RE SWEEPING UPWARD IN THE BUSINESS WORLD

Chimney sweep: A worker who cleans the soot out of chimneys. In earlier times, many chimney sweeps worked in Europe and North America. A few of them still work at the trade.

--The World Book, 1992

The myth that the age-old art of "chimney sweeping" is no longer needed is just that.

The return of wood as a popular heat source has created the need for periodic cleaning of chimneys, bringing with it an economic boom in several areas of the United States.

With more and more chilly weather forecasts, it appears that the wood heating season is almost here, or, in other words, it's time to clean the chimney.

"We recommend that people get their chimneys cleaned annually," said Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Robert Ridgeway. "This is a good fire-safety practice.

"Before you start that first fire of the season on that cold fall day, take some time and clean out those chimneys and stove pipes," advised Ridgeway. "Creosote accumulation, created by improper combustion of wood, is a primary reason for cleaning a chimney or stovepipe.

"Some woods contain a lot of rosen," added Ridgeway. "This loads up a chimney with creosote, which can cause blamable fires, and can actually crack the chimney."

Ridgeway notes that the fire department receives a number of calls concerning flue fires each fall and winter.

"We don't have to look at the log-books to know this," he said. "Come cold weather, and we're going to be making a lot of flue-fire runs. A lot of people use wood to heat their homes, through a fireplace or stove. Others just like to have a roaring fire in the fireplace."

Van H. Ayers, agriculture engineer specialist, University of Missouri Extension at Bloomfield, also urges inspection and cleaning of chimneys prior to the winter season.

Ayers points out that birds and insects may have brought debris into the chimney over the summer. "If this material ignites, a chimney fire could result, potentially damaging the chimney, and possibly creating a house fire,"

Some people will be cleaning their own chimneys, but cleaning a chimney is not for the weak of heart, cautions Ayers.

"A person should consider his physical condition before taking on the chore," he said. "It can be strenuous work and if a person is not up to the job, they should hire someone to do it." Enter modern-day chimney sweeps.

A pair of sweepers in Cape Girardeau -- Ed McElfresh, owner of Cape Chimney Sweeps, and his associate, Sam Welker -- are the only two certified chimney sweeps in Southeast Missouri. Other chimney sweeps in the immediate area are Jeepers Creepers, headquartered at Burfordville, and Doctor Soot Chimney Services at Jackson.

The nearest sweep in Southern Illinois is Soot Yourself of Goreville, which also has a certified sweeper.

Chimney sweeps check the entire chimney or stovepipe.

"We inspect the outside of the chimney first, to make sure it is structurally safe," said McElfresh. "You don't want it to fall apart if you lean a ladder against it."

The sweeps also check openings from top to bottom for obstructions, such as birds' nests, and the extent of any creosote buildup. The sweeps have the necessary equipment to clean the chimney.

"We usually recommend cleaning the chimney every two years," said McElfresh, who offers some tips on keeping the chimney clean.

"One of the first prerequisites is to burn well-seasoned wood," he said. "Burning hard wood also cuts down on the build up."

Meanwhile, if a person decides to clean his chimney, Ayers suggests some preparations before the actual cleaning job.

"Gather the basic tools," he said. "These include a flashlight, drop cloths, duct tape, ladder, bucket, shop-type vacuum cleaner, goggles and protective clothing.

"You should check the opening from top to bottom for obstructions," said Ayers. "Also, check the extent of creosote-building. The largest concentration of creosote should be in the upper third of the chimney."

The fireplace opening should be sealed off with a damp sheet, and you're ready to start cleaning.

The best method, says Ayers, is to use a wire brush.

"You should buy a brush that fits your chimney," he said.

Other techniques of cleaning a chimney include scraping the chimney with a burlap bag, filled with straw, tire chains, chicken wire, and other materials.

"The disadvantages of these alternatives is that they are not able to provide enough abrasion to clean all the creosote from the flue," he said.

The chimney sweep of today has a much better lot than the sweeps of a long gone era, when "climbing boys" were used.

Young boys were used in Paris, New York, London and other larger cities. The young lads, with ropes tied around their waists, climbed through the chimneys under the guise of "apprenticeships" to master sweeps.

Most of the youngsters never became master sweeps. Many died from tuberculosis and a disease called chimney sweep cancer.

The chimney sweeps of today, however, sometimes follow the old customs of wearing tux and top hats.

Early chimney sweeps, the story goes, were extremely poor people, and they often picked up discarded clothing to wear in their work. Much of the discarded clothing came from prosperous undertakers, who often discarded their "working clothes" of tuxes and top hats while they were in good condition, thus tux, tails and top hat became sort of a "trademark" for the sweeps.

Chimney sweeps are a happier lot now, using modern tools and machinery.

One of the latest inventions to help the sweeps is a cat-size robot, which can be used to prowl through ventilation ducts and chimneys, sweeping away dust, creosote, fungi and microbes.

"Bandy II," an invention of Wint-Clean Air Co. in Sweden, has a changeable set of spinning brushes, vacuum pump and a small video camera controlled by a joy stick. With 100 feet of cable, the small robots can clean and even recoat ducts and chimneys.

Another popular invention is the "Chim Scan," a video diagnostic system that gives a clear picture of the inside of a chimney. Utilizing a special video camera and television monitor, the chimney sweep can see close details of the entire interior of the chimney.

McElfresh, a full-time fireman, started a chimney sweep business in 1987.

"As a certified sweeper, I have to take a test on national fire codes every three years," he said.

McElfresh says he and his associate clean about 1,000 chimneys every year.

McElfresh's part-time work has led to a full-time business, The Stove Shop, which opened recently at 6 N. Sprigg.

"We have a full line of stoves, inserts, smoke alarms and all fireplace accessories," said McElfresh. His wife, Gail, operates the store.