About Press Releases Twist Locks Can Be A Snap
Twist Locks Can Be A Snap
SNEWS, September 2005, page 8-9
By Aaron Zambrana
A to Z Chimney Sweep
Lincoln, CA
View the actual PDF article here
Recently we were hired to fix a pre-fab chimney whose inner flue pipe had come apart just above the firebox. It was a double wall air-cooled design, with two 45-degree elbows, and the pipe was disconnected directly above the firebox, below both of the elbows.
No, I was not excited about this one, and yes, I charged plenty. It’s too bad that the CHASE couldn’t be air-cooled! Doing stuff like this in the summer will make you drop twenty pounds of water weight in a hurry!
Eager to not damage the inner and outer pipe, we were moving slowly trying to prevent bending the ends of the pipes using the traditional flat head screwdriver method. While in the middle of prying, crying and dying (it was hot in that chase!!), I had a revelation! Why try to attack one twist lock at a time? Why not do all of them at once?
In a flash, I made a trip out to the van (anything to get out of that spider web sauna of a chimney chase) and was back with my Make-a-Clamp® band connection kit.
Using the small strips of sheet metal bands, we pried with the flat head screwdriver right next to the twist lock, slipped a piece of sheet metal between the locked sections, and removed the flat head screwdriver while leaving the sheet metal in position.
We continued all the way around the pipe until all of the twist locks had sheet metal wedged between them. Then, with one firm tug, the pipe came apart with ease. No dents, ripples or damage to the pipe’s joint! This is by far the easiest way I’ve found to take twist locked pipe apart – especially when trying to avoid damage to the pipe!
So the next time you find yourself prying, crying and dying, just remember that twist locks can be a snap. With a little sheet metal and a flat head screwdriver, you’ll be in and out of chase quicker than you thought!
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Your employee was on time and very careful about cleanliness! I appreciated the fact that he took the time to not only put tarps down in front of my fireplace, but also everywhere he walked as he came in and out of my home… I have had my chimney cleaned by several companies over the years, and I don’t think I remember anybody being as careful to keep it clean as A to Z!
Also, another difference I noticed was the fact that your guy was here about ½ hour longer than any other chimney guys I’ve had in the past. Not only did it seem he was more meticulous and concerned about doing a thorough job, but he also put a Chim Scan Camera up into my chimney after cleaning to make sure there were no dangerous cracks or gaps.
You guys weren’t the cheapest in town, but I feel I DEFINTELY got a better value with your company than any others I’ve used in the past. You took more time, did a better job, and thoroughly answered all of my questions in terms that I could understand.
Great job from start to finish! Now that I’ve found you, I’ll use A to Z exclusively from now on!
Greg and Marsha Johannson
Granite Bay, CA