Creosote:A Tar-like residue left on the inside of the chimney as smoke travels up.
Creosote is highly flammable. It has a self-ignition point: 451F --same as paper! All it takes is a floating ember or even just the heat from the fire itself -- to ignite the Creosote.
Once ignited, creosote can burn as hot as 2000F! The intense heat sucks up large quantities of oxygen and may sound like a "jet taking off" right in your living room. Up on the roof top, flames shooting out the top of the chimney can spread to the roof and to other homes. The intense heat will crack the mortar joints and can spread the fire to the attic and house. The only sure fire protection is to have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a professional chimney sweep.
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Creosote:A Tar-like residue left on the inside of the chimney as smoke travels up.
Creosote is highly flammable. It has a self-ignition point: 451F --same as paper! All it takes is a floating ember or even just the heat from the fire itself -- to ignite the Creosote.
Once ignited, creosote can burn as hot as 2000F! The intense heat sucks up large quantities of oxygen and may sound like a "jet taking off" right in your living room. Up on the roof top, flames shooting out the top of the chimney can spread to the roof and to other homes. The intense heat will crack the mortar joints and can spread the fire to the attic and house. The only sure fire protection is to have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a professional chimney sweep.
Read More from HomeAdvisor
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A CHIMNEY FIRE
Place a soaking wet blanket in the fireplace to block air intake.
Do NOT put a water hose in the flue! This will crack the mortar joints and cause major damage.
Leave the house and
CALL 911
CALL US to inspect for damages and perform necessary repairs.
Common Fireplace, Stove & Chimney Repairs
Interior Cracks
KEEP HEAT AWAY FROM COMBUSTIBLE STRUCTURE
A properly fitted RainCap will prevent extensive water dama- -ge to your chimney.
Water inside the chimney mixes with the CREOSOTE residue and creates an acidic slurry that deteriorates mortar joints, and that also rusts out the damper.
Exterior Cracks
Water penetration damages your chimney's exterior
Most masonry materials like brick, are porous. They absorb large amounts of water and wick moisture to the chimney interior.
Defective mortar joints or the use of improper mortar or brick can greatly increase the tendency to absorb and convey water to the interior of the masonry chimney.
Improper Clearances
Over half of pre-Fab fireplaces inspected are improperly installed
Improper clearances to building materials or combustible materials is one of the most common errors with the metal chimney installation. The outer wall of the flue can get very hot and in time cause ignition of the wood framing, materials or debris around it.
Stuck Dampers
Dampers Rust Over Time
Every year we remove dozens of rusted out dampers (from Rain water settlement) and replace them with Top Sealing Dampers.
Tubular George offers a
FREE SAFETY INSPECTION with Every Cleaning!
($89-99 value)
San Luis Obispo
County
(805) 556-2000
Santa Barbara
COUNTY
(805) 682-5939
