The Chimney Sweep- A Necessary Services Of These Days
The Raleigh Chimney Sweep - The Tradition Of Providing Safety for your Home Or Business
Visualize a Chimney Sweep, and what probably jumps to mind is images of Bert the Chimney Sweep from Mary Poppins singing and dancing on the rooftop.
But the rich history of the Chimney Sweep goes back much more than Mary Poppins, and is linked with false notion and fascinating tales.
In reality, it is one of the oldest jobs around, a service which was as necessary 200 years ago as it is now. Eradicating the dirt and ash from a chimney is essential to the safety of the property. Without this service, dangerous conditions arise, which can lead to serious fires. With coal being a chief source of fuel, the danger was augmented.
The Chimney of old would often employ small boys to actually climb up the chimney scrubbing and brushing as he went. Usually, to make sure the boy would climb all the way up to the roof, a fire was lit in the fireplace giving rise to the term "light a fire under him".
As rules were enacted, hiring of boys to clean out the chimney was illegal, and more modern methods of brush cleaning started being used.
The vital and chief service offered by the Chimney Sweeps made them an extremely important member of the community, and were often seen as very Lucky. Actually, in Germany, a New Years tradition is the providing presents with the image of a Chimney Sweep on it to bring Luck for the New Year.
In England it is very Lucky for a Bride to perceive a Chimney Sweep on her marriage day. This has led to numerous Chimney Sweeps being invited to weddings.
A traditional Chimney Sweep would often wear black top hat and coat and tails. This is a traditional "look" for the Chimney Sweep. This practice comes from long back when several Chimney Sweeps received free donated clothes from funeral managers. The Coat and Tails also made a dirty job seem more respectable and apt.
Today's modern Chimney Sweeps still continue with the vital and basic cleaning of chimneys. But many have expanded to preventive maintenance of chimneys, re-installation and repair of chimneys, and installing of new chimney liners.
The Chimney Sweep of these days, carries on a great custom, but has expanded the services making them a expensive and necessary service to give for the safety of today's modern houses.
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