How Dangerous Is Creosote in Your Chimney?
Most people rarely see creosote inside their chimneys, but it’s a substance that shouldn’t be ignored, even in small amounts. Hudson Valley Chimney of Poughkeepsie, NY, would like to explain what creosote is and the ways it can harm your chimney and home. We’ll also tell you how to reduce the amount of it that builds up in your chimney.
Why creosote is in your chimney
When smoke from burning wood moves from a fireplace into a chimney, some of the smoke condenses before it can leave the top of the flue. This condensate is creosote, a sticky, puffy, flaky, or solid substance that adheres to the walls of the chimney liner.
Over time, large amounts of creosote can accumulate. Tests have shown that as little as 1/8 of an inch is enough to start a chimney fire. A significant buildup, should it ignite, can destroy the chimney and parts of the home.
How common are chimney fires?
They’re a lot more common than most people realize. We usually think of a “chimney fire” as a dramatic event with flames leaping and black smoke pouring from the top of a chimney. But many chimney fires are small and brief and go out before anyone is aware of them.
Even small fires can cause damage, particularly to the chimney liner, which is designed to keep flames, heat, smoke, and combustion gases away from the interior chimney masonry and out of the home.
Most chimney fires give clues. Watch/listen for:
- Dense smoke coming from either end of the chimney
- Unusual tapping or clicking noises
- A rumbling sound, like a train
If you experience any of these clues, call 911 immediately and evacuate the house. Do not attempt to put out the fire yourself.
The damage creosote can do
A chimney fire, caused by ignited creosote, can split or deteriorate a chimney liner and send smoke and deadly carbon monoxide into your living spaces. Intense heat can damage nearby home materials. Flames can ignite these materials.
The acids in creosote can eat away at the chimney liner, fireplace damper, parts of the smoke chamber, the firebox, and the chimney cap or flue cover.
Less smoke equals less creosote
You can’t prevent some creosote from forming in your chimney, but you can reduce the amount.
- Burn dry wood, which is far less smoky than unseasoned wood.
- Burn only firewood, never furniture pieces, packing materials, plastic containers, or any other items. Non-firewood tends to be very smoky.
- Keep excess creosote and debris, such as leaves, twigs, and small animal nests, out of the flue to allow smoke to travel through it faster and more efficiently.
- Warm the cold air in your flue by holding a lit rolled-up newspaper above the damper. Heavy cold air can slow down the drafting of smoke.
- Make sure your fireplace damper is fully opened when starting a fire. This enhances the draft.
How to remove creosote from your chimney
The only sure way to remove creosote is with chimney sweeping, which involves the use of special brushes, scrubbers, solvents, and vacuums. Annual chimney sweeping is recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and other leading fire safety organizations in the U.S.
Only a trained chimney technician should do this work. Do not rely on chimney cleaning logs or attempt to clean your own chimney.
Call your New York chimney sweep professionals
Has it been more than a year since your chimney was last swept? If so, Hudson Valley Chimney is standing by in the greater Poughkeepsie, NY, area to clean it and inspect it. Reach us by phone or through our contact form to learn more about certified chimney sweeping by local professionals.
