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Creosote buildup

 

Each time you use your fireplace, creosote builds up in the walls of your chimney flue.

 

Because creosote is a highly flammable substance, it is a wise decision to minimise the amount creosote that builds up in your chimney. Failure to remove creosote from the flue may result in a potential chimney fire,

 

Although the black residue is called creosote, it is actually made up of mostly tar. Generally speaking, there are three 'degrees' or 'stages' of creosote buildup found in chimneys, as described below:

 

Stage 1- Initially, cresosote appears in the form of soot, and can be easily brushed away. This is the most common form and shows signs of a chimney that has good combustion and air flow. It may also indicate a well maintained chimney that gets cleaned fairly regularly.

 

Stage 2 - When soot is left over time, it turns into hard, brittle deposits, which may affect your fireplace’s burning efficiency. This is most likely found in chimneys that have not been cleaned for a while, and/or the chimney may not function in the most efficient manner (as explained in the bullet points listed further below).  Regular cleaning will ensure that the build up does not progress into Stage 3, which is most undesireable.

 

Stage 3 - At this most unfortunate stage, when creosote becomes dense and shiny – it has become glazed on. At this point, is has basically become a wood tar substance that can be very difficult to extinguish if a fire was to occur.  Third degree cresosote can occur when the flue temperatures are low and/or combustion is incomplete. This is generally a rare occurance, but is a very serious hazard, and might be costly to fix. It is best to avoid third degree creosote through regular chimney cleaning, as simple chimney sweeping is not effective enough to remove this creosote in its final stage without extreme measures such as chemical cleaners, rotary brushes (which might cause potential damage to the lining), or replacing the chimney lining completely. In these instances, ClearVis would recommend that a certified safety inspector attend your home for an inspection and quote.  

 

Second to third degree creosote buildup might occur when a combination of the following conditions exist:

 

• Using unseasoned wood (usually a green colour)

• Cold chimney that is not properly insulated 

• Air controls turned too far down on a wood-heater 

• The house design does not allow for drawing of adequate air combustion

• The flue is oversized for the wood heater unit

• Lack of cleaning and buildup left over a long period of time

 

The pictures below are examples of dirty Hobart chimneys that had not been cleaned for a very long time, and categorised as Stage 2 creosote buildup. Many householders are unaware of the potential fire hazard lurking in their chimney flue, which can be greatly minimised through regular sweeping. 

Customer Testimonials

 

"I am very happy we asked Kris to sweep our chimney. It hadn't been done for decades and was a very dirty job. Kris was available at short notice, arrived timely, had all the necessary equipment. He closed off the chimney with plastic sheets so there was barely any dust in the room and he did a very thorough job. All that with a friendly smile. I would highly recommend him." 

- Anna, Hobart, TAS

 

"Perfect! Fireplace is working perfectly now. A nice young man who did a good job of cleaning a filthy chimney! Would recommend." 

- Helen, Hobart, TAS

 

"I was really pleased that I found Kris and that he was available on short notice to sweep our chimney. In addition to being prompt, professional, and communicative, he was also a truly nice and genuine person. He also did his best to avoid waking my sleeping baby (and he was successful!). I'll definitely be calling him next year!

- Anna, South Hobart, TAS.

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