CHIMNEYS ARE OUR BUSINESS                        this is what chimneys looked like when we first started cleaning chimneys. these chimneys were built leaning away from the house and were supported, usually, by poles. if and when the chimney caught fire the poles were removed and the chimney would, fall safely away from the house. hopefully. Here's a little tip....cleaning a chimney with chains, metal weights, bricks and the like is kind of like washing your dishes with a hammer.....so...don't do that.