Creosote…..What the heck is that?
When a wood fire burns, it releases unburned gases. These unburned gases tend to condensate on the chimney liner or flue tile and form a tarry or glazed substance called creosote. Creosote can become dangerous if it is allowed to accumulate in the chimney where it becomes a fuel source for a potential chimney fire. A chimney fire can occur when the built-up creosote is ignited by extreme heat from the fireplace.
The March 1990 Home & Hearth Magazine puts this all in good perspective. “Creosote build-up, by itself or in combination with other factors, was involved in 92% of chimney fires reported in a study commissioned by the Wood Heating Alliance. A build-up of as little as 1/8 to ¼ inch of creosote is sufficient to create a fire hazard.”
The build-up of creosote can be minimized by burning small hot fires and using dry, well seasoned wood, but realistically the formation of creosote from burning wood cannot be avoided. This means every chimney requires a manual cleaning to remove creosote build-up. Cleaning a chimney on your own is a dirty job and is also somewhat difficult to do. The proper brushes and techniques should be used to insure that the sides of the chimney are swept clean of creosote buildup. It is also important to properly inspect the chimney at every cleaning to insure that there are no structural defects such as cracks or missing mortar joints in the chimney flue that could lead to eventual safety problems. It is highly recommended to hire a certified professional chimney sweep to do your dirty work. The frequency for cleanings can vary based on the amount of use that the fireplace receives but it is not recommended to be longer than a year between cleanings.
Many of us enjoy a real wood burning fireplace. Using your fireplace can be an enjoyable, relaxing experience. Alot of us enjoy stoking the fire and tending to the needs of the fire. It can also give satisfaction by reducing heating bills and using a renewable fuel source. Just make sure the maintenance program for your home includes periodic chimney sweeps to reduce the possibilities of a chimney fire.
Pristine Sweeps
January 6th, 2010 at 8:15 pm #
Dave, I am a chimney sweep in the Seattle area and have noticed a great deal of inspectors either: skip, barely, or falsely inspect homeowners chimneys. I would suggest anyone getting a home inspection get a second opinion about their chimney from a licensed chimney sweep company. Inspections are usually free or a small fee. My company is Pristine Sweeps and we offer free inspections in the Seattle area. You can find more information by talking to a Seattle chimney sweep or visiting our site at http://www.chimney-sweep-seattle.com.
Great post dave!
David
January 7th, 2010 at 3:33 pm #
Thank you for your comment. I can’t comment on what other home inspectors do during their inspections, but I can tell you how I operate.
As a Home Inspector I perform a visual inspection on the general condition of the fireplace and chimney. I do not use a scope or camera and therefore do not comment on the condition of the chimney liner. My recommendation to my client is always to have the chimney swept and inspected before use, and to repeat this process as recommended by the chimney sweep.
Thanks again,
Dave
Kim
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:22 pm #
Very good article; something every good inspector should do and recommend a professional chimney sweep.
David
February 4th, 2010 at 8:04 pm #
Thanks Kim!