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Chimney Sweeping: Does it Remove Creosote?

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Why Chimney Sweeping Matters

 

What You Need to Know About Creosote

 

How to Minimize Creosote Buildup

 

 

 

Every time the fireplace is used, creosote is deposited in the flue or chimney lining. This is potentially dangerous because creosote is highly flammable. Simply having large deposits of creosote in your chimney is a fire hazard.

 

You can keep your family safe (and avoid millions of dollars worth of property damage) by simply minimizing this buildup. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of chimney sweeping, and how it helps fight creosote deposits.

 

Why Chimney Sweeping Matters

 

The National Fire Protection Association recommends having annual fireplace and chimney inspections to determine whether the creosote buildup has reached dangerous levels. This, in turn, helps reduce the possibility of fires.

 

Otherwise, creosote can easily ignite and cause a chimney fire, which can quickly escalate into something more serious. Did you know that around 30 percent of all house fires every year are caused by unclean chimneys?

 

Chimney sweeps perform these inspections to ensure that everything is in order—and that’s not just about the creosote. They will tell you if there are parts that need to be repaired and if there components that are damaged and have to be replaced. The chimney is exposed to all kinds of elements all year long. And so it is susceptible to damage and wear, even if it is not being actively used.

 

It can serve as the home to small animals who like to make a nest there. It could be damaged by harsh weather and cause leaking.

 

Your chimney sweep will make sure your fireplace and chimney is performing optimally, so you can enjoy it without fear. And of course, they’ll keep it clean too.

 

What You Need to Know About Creosote

 

Here’s a little more info about creosote, so that you’ll have an idea on what you are up against. Creosote is a filmy substance that sticks to the lining of your chimney. It is quite hard to remove if you don’t know how. But if you can invest on a chimney sweeping log, it can make the job easier for you or the chimney sweep.

 

Chimney sweeping logs are infused with chemicals that are released when the log is burned. The chemicals cling to the creosote, drying it up and preparing it for removal.

 

Sometimes this won’t be necessary, especially if you keep your chimney clean all year round. At first, creosote is just like flaky soot that can easily be brushed away with a simple chimney brush. But in time, it can become harder and shinier, at which point the chimney sweeping logs can be very useful. It contains hardened tar that’s very hard to brush away.

 

If you let this progress any further, the creosote can become extremely difficult to clean. It becomes a highly concentrated fuel that resembles a coating of tar. It’s very thick and hardened at this point, and fire can ignite it. Sometimes, it is better to replace the chimney liner entirely instead of cleaning it.

 

How to Minimize Creosote Buildup

 

There are ways to slow down your chimney’s creosote buildup. It’s obviously a better idea to deal with creosote sooner rather than later. So if you want to minimize the buildup, one of the things you can do is avoid burning newly cut, unseasoned firewood. It typically takes between six months and one year for it to get a low moisture content.

 

Contact Clean Sweep 317 today and ask about our professional chimney inspection and cleaning services!

 

The post Chimney Sweeping: Does it Remove Creosote? appeared first on Clean Sweep 317.

 

www.cleansweep317.com/chimney-sweeping-to-remove-creosote/

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Uploaded on April 18, 2018