Curious about what people mean when they use the term ‘creosote buildup’, and if that’s something to be worried about. If you have a wood-burning stove or a fireplace, the answer is yes. When burning wood which produces a lot of smoke, creosote is a byproduct that builds up over time, especially in a very constricted area like the chimney. It will accumulate as time goes by within your chimney, and while it may appear not so important, creosote can have serious consequences concerning safety. There are health dangers accompanying the risk of chimney fires, and such a risk should not be left untreated. Let us learn some more facts about creosote, why it is a threat, and what measures are in place to ensure your home is safe.
What Is Creosote Buildup?
Creosote buildup is when the residue from the gases released from burning wood cools as it rises the chimney and forms a brown or black layer out of which a byproduct is left. This brown or black layer that forms inside the chimney does not go away and with more usage, builds up additional layers on top of the first layer. The new amount or stage of creosote can be classified into three categories. The first phase is the easily removable and flaky type, and the last one is the solid rock type set deep in the chimney and generally impossible to get out even with special tools.
Is It Dangerous? How?
It is, indeed. The buildup of creosote is dangerous and unavoidable. It is common knowledge that when internal soot deflector and baffle equipment are installed in chimneys pre-made, more and more of those gadgets will eventually accumulate creosote, narrowing the chimney’s airway and making it harder for smoke to escape. This could lead to smoke drawing back into the house instead of leaving, creating a fire hazard and putting the residents at risk of harmful gasses like carbon monoxide. Excessive creosote buildup can potentially ignite a chimney fire, which will almost certainly cause damage to the entire house.
Dangers of Creosote Buildup
- Chimney Fires
The presence of creosote is usually a sign of a chimney fire in risky situations and one that has the potential to cause a chimney fire or rather an outbreak of fire in some other parts of the home or living interacting spaces which would ultimately cause a serious wildfire. Although these fires can be controlled, damage to the property is often done even before they are detected. The threat levels increase with the amount of creosote deposits.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Prolonged exposure to crudo can also cause a chimney to be clogged with excessive grease, which may cause the chimney to vent carbon monoxide out from the house instead of through the chimney. There are colourless and poisonous gases which make this a dangerous risk owing to creosote.
- Poor Air Quality
Because of the accumulation of creosote smoke and soot on their vents, smoke and soot emitted from the chimney range find it difficult to escape into the atmosphere and consequently reside in the house. This may hinder the air passage and produce complications, especially in children, elderly persons or persons who have health issues such as asthma.
- Increased Heating Costs
A chimney filled with creosote will obstruct the draw and therefore it will substantially lower the efficiency of the wood-burning stove/fires installed in that room. This suggests that additional wood will need to be burned to provide the same amount its heat output raising its operating costs.
Can I clean the creosote buildup myself?
Even though there are chimney cleaning kits that are claimed to be used by a consumer in the house, it is always advisable to engage the services of a professional chimney sweep. This is due to the fact that cleaning creosote buildup may be complicated, if the substance has been building up for quite a long time. This is due to the fact that there are qualified individuals who have the necessary equipment and skills to deal with any form of creosote buildup, whether it is light, heavy or flammable tar. This is why they may not be effective in cleaning the residue since a creosote residue can still be dangerous and it can still lead to chimney fires.
How can I prevent creosote buildup?
Controlling the amount of creosote that collects within the chimney structure includes both what materials are burned and the care of the chimney structure. Always burn seasoned hardwood, as it contains less moisture than softwood and can be burned more efficiently and creates less creosote. Another the most precautionary measure involves proper circulation of air – for instance keeping the damper open and allowing enough oxygen into the fire promotes higher temperatures which results in a cleaner burn.
Wrapping Up
The accumulation of creosote is a major concern that can have adverse effects on the safety within the household as well as the quality of air inside. To mitigate the dangers posed by creosote, it is important to carry out regular checks and cleaning of the chimney. Failure to address this problem can result in very terrible outcomes such as a burning of the chimney, inhalation of concentrated gases like carbon monoxide, and repairing the chimney at an expensive cost. Keep your house and family safe by taking measures against creosote infiltration: Clean the chimney and leave it well kept. Be safe, be warm and use your fireplace without any fears!