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Question about using a shop vac for a quick cleanout
I figured using my big 12-gallon shop vac on a simple fireplace job in Portland last month would save time, but it just kicked up a massive cloud of fine ash that took an hour to settle and clean, so what's your go-to method for keeping that dust down when you're in a tight spot?
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beth_hunt1mo ago
Try a cheap furnace filter over the hose end with a rubber band... it catches the super fine stuff the bag misses.
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lisa_wilson871mo ago
Oh man, you basically made a fireplace smoke bomb! Been there. My go-to is to just lightly mist the ash pile with a spray bottle of water first, like you're trying to keep a secret from the air. Just damp, not muddy. Or if I'm really stuck, a wet towel over the vac hose intake can catch a lot of the fine stuff before it hits the bag. That cloud is the worst.
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