Prevent Creosote Buildups in Your Chimney

Creosote is a sticky, solid, flakey, or puffy substance that forms when wood fires burn. Over time, creosote collects in your chimney flue. Only professional chimney sweeping can safely remove excess creosote, but there are several things you can do to keep from creating so much of it.

Here are three proven ways to prevent big creosote buildups in your chimney flue

Burn only proper firewood

Creosote forms when logs are burned, and it can form with the burning of other items as well. Finished furniture pieces, plastics, packaging materials, cardboard, clothing, and other items create huge amounts of smoke and burn very hot, heating up the system to the point that damage may occur.

Burn seasoned logs

If you’ve ever burned wood that’s just been cut from a tree, you know how much smoke unseasoned wood produces. Your firewood should have at least six months to cure before igniting it in your fireplace. Dry wood burns efficiently and with a lot less smoke.

Opt for hardwoods over softwoods

When buying (or cutting) firewood, you’re better off going with hardwood varieties such as poplar, oak and maple. These varieties of wood burn hotter and longer than fir, pine and juniper and they’re much less smoky.

Safety note

Never use accelerants such as lighter fluid, charcoal starter, kerosene, or gasoline to get a fire started. You can cause an explosion or an out-of-control fire inside your firebox.

The dangers of excess creosote

Chimneys that are neglected and go years without proper cleaning can become dangerous to your home and family.

Creosote is highly flammable

As noted, creosote can easily ignite and start a chimney fire. A big, blazing fire is obvious to you, but many chimney fires are small and start and go out on their own. Any size chimney fire can do significant damage to your chimney liner and other hidden areas within your chimney system.

Creosote is acidic

Long-standing creosote can begin to deteriorate certain chimney liners due to its high acid content.

Creosote is obstructive

Over the years and with regular fireplace use, creosote can build up inside a chimney to the point that the flue passage is narrowed and smoke no longer drafts efficiently. This can send smoke and deadly carbon monoxide into your home.

The part of the professional chimney sweeping technician

As you can see, there are ways you can help to prevent creosote buildup in your chimney. That’s your part. The other part is the professional chimney sweeps and their specialized tools, such as brushes, rods, whips, chains, solvents and industrial vacuums to remove built-up creosote and soot, which you can’t avoid creating to one degree or another.

Working together, you and your chimney technician can accomplish what every fireplace owner wants: safe and efficient operation of their fireplace/chimney system.

Fire N’ Stone of Tilton, NH, has served Lakes Region homeowners since 2009 with expert chimney cleaning, fireplace and chimney repairs, and complete fireplace and chimney inspections. Call us at (603) 293-4040 for a job done right, any time of year.