Creosote Buildup Comes In Threes

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The overwhelming majority of chimney fires are usually caused by creosote buildup. This buildup of tar, soot, and creosote can give a fire all the fuel it needs to damage structures and cause injuries. This is why it's so important to have your fireplace and chimney inspected on a regular basis.

Creosote buildup usually comes in three stages, with each one being harder to clean than the last. The following offers an in-depth view into the three types of creosote buildup that occur and how to tackle each stage.

First Degree Buildup

First degree creosote buildup is the easiest to deal with, thanks in large part to its high soot content and low tar buildup. This type of buildup usually occurs when burning seasoned wood in an open fireplace with plenty of air available for thorough combustion. All it takes to deal with first degree creosote buildup is a thorough cleaning with a chimney brush.

Second Degree Buildup

Second degree creosote buildup is a bit harder to deal with than the first. Instead of a chimney simply coated with soot, you'll likely find a buildup of hardened tar in the form of shiny, dry flakes. This buildup usually occurs when there isn't enough incoming air available for thorough burning due to an obstruction or restriction.

You'll need more than a chimney brush to effectively tackle second degree creosote buildup. The preferred tool among professionals is a rotary loop, a device containing multiple metal rods on a hub attached to a stainless steel cable. The entire setup is driven by a powerful handheld drill.

Third Degree Buildup

Unsurprisingly, third degree creosote buildup is the most difficult of all stages to deal with. With this type of buildup, you'll see what appears to be tar running down the inside of the chimney. This tar buildup eventually hardens, creating a coating that can grow to be an inch thick or more. Third degree creosote buildup is usually the result of burning wood while flue temperatures are abnormally low.

Removing this type of creosote buildup can be a long and expensive process. Although there are tools and chemicals that are effective at removing third degree creosote buildup, extreme cases of buildup may require a complete replacement of the flue liners.

Tips for Preventing Creosote Buildup

Here are a few tips you can use to prevent creosote buildup in your fireplace:

• Avoid burning freshly cut wood in your fireplace. Unseasoned wood tends to have a high moisture content that leads to poor burning.
• Avoid burning artificial logs, as these logs often leave behind large creosote deposits.
• Make sure that any fire you burn in your fireplace burns hot and has plenty of incoming air.
• Always have your chimney and fireplace inspected on a regular basis by a trained professional.

The sooner you're able to spot creosote buildup in its earliest stages, the easier and least expensive it is to deal with.

26 April 2017