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Creosote Build Up in Your Chimney is Dangerous. Valley Chimney Can Help!

Creosote build up removal

Yes, it’s summer and you’re probably not thinking too much about how clean your chimney is, or whether it’s ready for use this fall.

But having your chimney maintained during the summer is actually beneficial for a number of reason, including very little wait time in scheduling your appointment. Summer is our slow season, and waiting until September or October could set you back a few weeks in your chimney enjoyment time.

RELATED: 9 GOOD REASONS YOU SHOULD GET YOUR CHIMNEY CLEANED THIS SUMMER

When cleaning your chimney, one of the things we’re always on the lookout for is the build up of glazed creosote. The appearance of creosote can be a very serious fire hazard, and under the right conditions can ignite a dangerous chimney fire, which can destroy your home and injure your family.

What is creosote?

Creosote is a byproduct of combustion and condensation that is created in a fireplace. It is made up of smoke, water vapor, gases, wood particles, minerals and hydrocarbons. Creosote is created when the mixture of those is released into the chimney and condensation occurs. The residue left behind is creosote.

Creosote is mostly black or brown. It’s texture can range from flaky or crusty to sticky or shiny or hardened. However it appears, an over abundance of creosote can spark a chimney fire when a proper internal temperature is reached.

How to get rid of glazed creosote

For generations, the only way to get rid of a glazed creosote buildup in your chimney or wood stove was for a chimney sweep to use good-old-fashioned elbow grease. However, the emergence of creosote removal systems has made this job much easier.

At Valley Chimney Sweep and Restoration,  we use a product called Poultice Creosote Remover from Chimney Saver. PCR is a mixable powder that is applied by chimney professionals with special tools. 

To remove the glazed creosote, we first mix the substance into a thick gel-like substance. The substance is then applied to the inside walls of your chimney, and must be left on the creosote for 24-48 hours. We then return and scrape off the creosote and clean up the mess. It’s a fairly simple process that won’t create a huge mess inside your home.

Regularly inspecting for creosote buildup and clearing it from your chimney is essential to the safe and efficient operation of your fireplace. At Valley Chimney Sweep  & Restoration, our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps are experts in the application of Poultice Creosote Remover. Contact us today to schedule your chimney inspection and cleaning before our schedule begins to fill up!

For more on how we remove glazed creosote from your chimney, watch this video.

 

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