Dirty Chimney / Creosote Build-Up
Creosote Buildup / Dirty Chimney
What is Creosote?
Creosote is a flammable and corrosive substance that can build up on the walls of your fireplace and chimney. Creosote is formed when unburned wood particles, fly ash and other volatile gases combine as they exit the chimney. If there’s a poor draft, these unburned particles and gases can condense and build up on the walls of your chimney. Over time, these creosote or soot buildups can become a danger as they can potentially result in a chimney fire.
Causes of Chimney Creosote Problems
Smoke, or better termed, flue gas, is released by the initial fire, or primary combustion. Burning wood, no matter how it is done, releases pollutants in the form of gases and particulate matter. Flue gas, comprised of steam and vaporized but unburned carbon based byproducts (vaporized creosote). If smoke exiting the chimney is cooled to below 250 degrees Fahrenheit, the gases liquefy, combine, and solidify to form creosote. A flue too large for the woodburning appliance may increase the likelihood that creosote will build up. Restricted air supply, unseasoned or rain-logged wood, and cool surface flue temperatures also encourage creosote to build up.
Creosote Stages:
Condensation: In an attempt to save fuel, many people reduce the amount of air entering the combustion chamber, causing the appliance to smolder. This has serious side effects. Smoke then cools as it rises in the chimney, not having enough heat energy to escape the stack. The flue gas then condenses on the inside of the chimney and the sap/resin turns into creosote.
Liquidation: This sap/resin turns liquid and can seep into mortar joints or cracks in the flue tiles. The corrosive property held by creosote destroys masonry work and jeopardizes the life of your chimney.
Solidification: As temperatures fall and rise within the chimney, causing the heating and cooling of the creosote. This quickly enables build-up, reducing the amount of space the flue gas has to exit the chimney and, in extreme cases, blocking the flue completely. This build up can look like tar and is frequently termed “tar build-up.”
Friable State Creosote: When the solid creosote is burned, all volatile oils are removed leaving a residue that appears very similar to honeycomb which is crisp and easy to sweep from chimneys.
Creosote Glazing
Glaze is formed in the solidification stage and occurs when new layers of creosote are being added so quickly that the layers below it have no time to dry. These fresh layers then insulate previous deposits so it eventually solidifies creating the rock-like substance known as glaze.
How to Remove Creosote Glaze
To remove this hard-as-a-rock glaze, it must first be broken down chemically and then professionally cleaned. Contact Home Service Pro for our Professional Chimney Sweep services.
After you solve your creosote problem, it’s a good idea to check the rest of your chimney and make sure it’s in good shape. Keeping your bricks waterproofed and performing chimney crown repair if needed are essential steps to take to keep your chimney in proper repair. A professional chimney inspection is recommended.
What is Creosote?
Creosote is a flammable and corrosive substance that can build up on the walls of your fireplace and chimney. Creosote is formed when unburned wood particles, fly ash and other volatile gases combine as they exit the chimney. If there’s a poor draft, these unburned particles and gases can condense and build up on the walls of your chimney. Over time, these creosote or soot buildups can become a danger as they can potentially result in a chimney fire.
Causes of Chimney Creosote Problems
Smoke, or better termed, flue gas, is released by the initial fire, or primary combustion. Burning wood, no matter how it is done, releases pollutants in the form of gases and particulate matter. Flue gas, comprised of steam and vaporized but unburned carbon based byproducts (vaporized creosote). If smoke exiting the chimney is cooled to below 250 degrees Fahrenheit, the gases liquefy, combine, and solidify to form creosote. A flue too large for the woodburning appliance may increase the likelihood that creosote will build up. Restricted air supply, unseasoned or rain-logged wood, and cool surface flue temperatures also encourage creosote to build up.
Creosote Stages:
Condensation: In an attempt to save fuel, many people reduce the amount of air entering the combustion chamber, causing the appliance to smolder. This has serious side effects. Smoke then cools as it rises in the chimney, not having enough heat energy to escape the stack. The flue gas then condenses on the inside of the chimney and the sap/resin turns into creosote.
Liquidation: This sap/resin turns liquid and can seep into mortar joints or cracks in the flue tiles. The corrosive property held by creosote destroys masonry work and jeopardizes the life of your chimney.
Solidification: As temperatures fall and rise within the chimney, causing the heating and cooling of the creosote. This quickly enables build-up, reducing the amount of space the flue gas has to exit the chimney and, in extreme cases, blocking the flue completely. This build up can look like tar and is frequently termed “tar build-up.”
Friable State Creosote: When the solid creosote is burned, all volatile oils are removed leaving a residue that appears very similar to honeycomb which is crisp and easy to sweep from chimneys.
Creosote Glazing
Glaze is formed in the solidification stage and occurs when new layers of creosote are being added so quickly that the layers below it have no time to dry. These fresh layers then insulate previous deposits so it eventually solidifies creating the rock-like substance known as glaze.
How to Remove Creosote Glaze
To remove this hard-as-a-rock glaze, it must first be broken down chemically and then professionally cleaned. Contact Home Service Pro for our Professional Chimney Sweep services.
After you solve your creosote problem, it’s a good idea to check the rest of your chimney and make sure it’s in good shape. Keeping your bricks waterproofed and performing chimney crown repair if needed are essential steps to take to keep your chimney in proper repair. A professional chimney inspection is recommended.