My first year in the trade I smoked out a whole living room

Back in 2009 I was still pretty green and took a job in an old Victorian up in Portland. The homeowner said they hadn't used the fireplace in years but wanted it checked. I ran a brush through and thought I got everything clean. Lit a test fire and within 5 minutes smoke was pouring out the damper area into the room. Turns out there was a hidden bird nest jammed behind a shifted flue tile that I missed on my initial look. Had to shut it all down and tear out a section of the smoke shelf to get to it. Took me 3 extra hours and I ate the cost on the repair just to make it right. The customer was cool about it but I still remember that feeling of panic. Anybody else have a first year screw up that still haunts them?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_kai1mo ago

Man that sounds rough, glad the customer was chill about it.

jana_lewis161mo ago

Makes you realize how most people just want to be treated like regular humans, not just another transaction. Good customers like @the_kai restore some faith in humanity. Even a small bit of understanding changes the whole vibe of a rough day.