A sweep knows 'e's welcome

Wherever 'e goes"

--Chim Chim Cheree (from Mary Poppins)

Ah, to be a chimney sweep: face covered in soot, bristles in hand, dancing across the rooftops of London with Julie Andrews waiting below…

Well, maybe not. Armed with all manner of high-tech paraphernalia, from video inspection devices to mechanical draft inducers, today's chimney sweeps have come a long way from their Victorian predecessors. But they continue to play an important role in maintaining fireplaces and chimneys and in protecting the safety and welfare of the people who enjoy them.