Pro tip: Stop using those cheap fiberglass rods for long flues

I keep seeing guys on here using those $30 fiberglass rods on flues over 30 feet. Had a job in Denver last month where a guy's rod snapped halfway through a 40 foot flue and we had to fish it out. Those rods flex too much and they wear out fast on heavy creosote builds. Spend the $80 on polypropylene rods they last way longer and won't snap on you mid sweep. How many of you have had a rod break on a tall job?

3 comments

3 Comments

corah753d ago

Forty feet on those cheap fiberglass rods? That's INSANE, I can't believe anyone would risk that for a $50 savings. I've seen those rods shatter just from a tight bend at 25 feet, let alone double that with heavy creosote. Polypropylene is the only way to go for anything over 30 feet, period.

felixm293d ago

I get what you're saying @corah75 and I don't doubt you've seen rods snap, but "insane" feels a little dramatic. I've run cheap fiberglass rods past 35 feet a few times and they held up fine as long as you're not bending them into a horseshoe. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe it depends on how fast you're spinning them and what kind of creosote buildup you're dealing with. Not saying polypropylene isn't better, just that I wouldn't call it a death wish or anything.

troychen3d agoMost Upvoted

I read somewhere that polypropylene also handles the cold way better in places like Denver.