Creosote: A Tar-like residue left on the inside of the chimney as smoke travels up.
Creosote is a highly flammable, tar-like residue that accumulates on the inside lining of the chimney as smoke from wood burning spirals up the flue.
Creosote has a self-ignition point of 451F --same as paper! All it takes is a floating ember--or even just the heat from the fire itself -- to ignite it.
Creosote can burn as hot as 2000F! The intense heat sucks up a considerable volume of oxygen and may sound like a "jet taking off" right in your living room! A creosote fire quickly fills the chimney flue . It will crack mortar joints and can spread the fire to the attic and house. Up at the chimney top, tall flames in shoot out and may set the roof on fire, and floating embers may carry the fire to neighboring homes.
The fire department recommends regular chimney cleaning and inspection after every 1/2 to full cord of wood burnt, depending on type of wood.. A professional Sweep will scrub and vacuum up the excess creosote residues. He will also conduct a safety inspection to check for craks , deteriorated mortar joints, proper clearances and adequate spark protection at the top.
Note on Gas Burning: Instead of generating Creosote, burning Gas generates soot. The fireplace system will still need to be cleaned and inspected regularly, albeit not as often.
Note on Gas Logs/Fyre Glass /Fyre Stones: When using Gas logs, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) codes require that the damper be fixed in an open position. Unfortunately, this is like leaving a window wide open and will result in higher heating bills on cold days. It may also send smelly back drafts into the living space. The most efficient solution is to install custom glass doors to seal off the fireplace when not in use. Glass doors come in a variety of styles and colors.
Note on Gas Inserts: Unlike Gas Logs, Gas inserts are sealed and therefore do not have the same issued as gas logs. They are also more heat efficient than gas logs.
Read More from HomeAdvisor
Creosote: A Tar-like residue left on the inside of the chimney as smoke travels up.
Creosote is a highly flammable, tar-like residue that accumulates on the inside lining of the chimney as smoke from wood burning spirals up the flue.
Creosote has a self-ignition point of 451F --same as paper! All it takes is a floating ember--or even just the heat from the fire itself -- to ignite it.
Creosote can burn as hot as 2000F! The intense heat sucks up a considerable volume of oxygen and may sound like a "jet taking off" right in your living room! A creosote fire quickly fills the chimney flue . It will crack mortar joints and can spread the fire to the attic and house. Up at the chimney top, tall flames in shoot out and may set the roof on fire, and floating embers may carry the fire to neighboring homes.
The fire department recommends regular chimney cleaning and inspection after every 1/2 to full cord of wood burnt, depending on type of wood.. A professional Sweep will scrub and vacuum up the excess creosote residues. He will also conduct a safety inspection to check for craks , deteriorated mortar joints, proper clearances and adequate spark protection at the top.
Note on Gas Burning: Instead of generating Creosote, burning Gas generates soot. The fireplace system will still need to be cleaned and inspected regularly, albeit not as often.
Note on Gas Logs/Fyre Glass /Fyre Stones: When using Gas logs, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) codes require that the damper be fixed in an open position. Unfortunately, this is like leaving a window wide open and will result in higher heating bills on cold days. It may also send smelly back drafts into the living space. The most efficient solution is to install custom glass doors to seal off the fireplace when not in use. Glass doors come in a variety of styles and colors.
Note on Gas Inserts: Unlike Gas Logs, Gas inserts are sealed and therefore do not have the same issued as gas logs. They are also more heat efficient than gas logs.
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.
