If you’ve recently had an inspection done on your chimney and fireplace, your sweep may have informed you that you have creosote you need to have removed. For those unfamiliar with chimney terminology, learning more about this substance and its possible harmful effects is important. Read up below, then count on the team here at Sweepnman, Inc. for all of your creosote removal services and pre-season maintenance.
What Is Creosote?
For those unfamiliar with the substance, creosote is what forms after you burn fires in your fireplace. It builds ups as the vapors and fumes escape your flue, and it clings to the walls of your chimney. There are a few forms that creosote is known for: light and flaky, sticky and tar-like, and hard and glossy. Some forms are harder to remove than others, but all types are dangerous and need to be cleaned out before your home is put at risk.
Dangers Of Buildup
So, what dangers might one face if a sweeping is avoided? Well, first of all, build up encourages deterioration, which weakens your structure overall. Cracks, holes, and other types of decay will start to form, which isn’t good for the efficiency of your appliance. Another issue comes in the form of clogs. If your system is filled with creosote and excess debris, then it won’t be able to properly ventilate, leaving you at risk for smoke back-up and carbon monoxide exposure.
The biggest risk is the increased likelihood of chimney fires. Chimney fires pose a huge threat to the structure of your system, and they could weaken it so much that a collapse might eventually occur. In other cases, it will break down the lining, so that fumes and flames are given an easy pathway to escape into your home.
As you’ve likely concluded, the whole process increases the risk of harmful gases entering your home, and it increases the chances of a house fire, too. A system that has experienced a chimney fire should never be used until a professional has inspected it and made the necessary repairs. Unfortunately, not all chimney fires are loud and obvious- in fact, most are not. This means a homeowner may use their system without realizing they’re at risk.
Because of this, we want to emphasize the importance of investing in at least one inspection per year. You never know what unseen issues may be occurring!
Schedule A Sweeping Before Your Burning Season
One obvious way to reduce the accumulation of creosote in your chimney is to schedule a chimney sweeping. There are others ways to minimize build up, as well, such as using properly seasoned wood, maintaining good airflow, and doing your best to ensure the firebox doesn’t become overloaded.
That being said, a sweeping will still eventually be needed, and we believe we’re the team that’s best equipped to help you out. Our CSIA certified staff is eager to be of assistance to homeowners all throughout the area.
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