Creosote Removal Is Fast & Odorless With Armour Chimney Service
Here at Armour Chimney Service, I am committed to preventing chimney fires that could harm my neighbors in Coeur d’Alene or damage their property. And I know that one job that is absolutely essential to fire prevention is glazed creosote removal.
Creosote is a byproduct of wood burning that forms inside of the chimney flue. While it may initially be sooty in appearance, as it continues to build up and accumulate, fire after fire, it will harden into a sticky, tarry, or candy like substance.
The danger in leaving glazed creosote inside the chimney is that it is highly flammable — all it takes is a buildup of 1/8” to 1/4” to cause a damaging and devastating chimney and structure fire. Additionally, creosote is corrosive and will cause damage to the chimney flue if it’s not removed — even if it doesn’t combust.
What Causes Creosote?
While creosote is a byproduct of wood burning, there are some things that can cause it to form rapidly and excessively:
- Poor draft/inadequate airflow
- Cold chimney
- Green wood
- Overloaded firebox
With poor draft, inadequate airflow, an overloaded firebox, or a cold chimney, the chimney is unable to pull smoke up as quickly as it’s produced by the fireplace or stove. Instead of exiting the chimney, the smoke lingers inside, cooling and condensing on the flue walls.
Green wood has a high moisture content, which prevents it from providing a hot burn. As a result, it produces a lot of smoke, and that smoke cools inside of the chimney.
What Are The Signs Of A Creosote Problem?
How do you know if creosote is something you should be worried about? If smoke backs up in your home when you have a fire going or you’ve seen dark colored flakes falling down into the fireplace when a fire is burning, there’s a good chance creosote is the culprit. Creosote can also emit a tar odor that gets worse when the heat and humidity of the summer kicks in.
Note: If you’re keeping up with annual chimney inspections, you should know about creosote problems before they get this bad.
What Do You Do If You Have Glazed Creosote In Your Chimney?
If you have glazed creosote in your chimney, you’ll need to have a professional chimney sweep remove it. Here at Armour Chimney Service, I use a product known as Poultice Creosote Remover (PCR) to break down, absorb, and remove creosote from flue walls. While there are other products that can do the job, most options are toxic and full of noxious odors. PCR isn’t. It changes the chemical makeup of the glazed creosote so that it can be removed using normal sweeping techniques and tools, without filling your home with chemical smells.
Is creosote threatening the performance and safety of your chimney system? Call Armour Chimney Service at 208-550-8474 or click here to request an appointment with a certified Master Hearth Professionals today. I’ll get your chimney clean and ready for the next burn season.
A professional chimney sweeping is all a part of the professional chimney and venting services I provide year round.
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