Our Company Blog

The Dangers of Chimney Creosote

Has your chimney been inspected this fall? If you have a wood-burning appliance, you likely know the importance of having your chimney swept and inspected every fall before you light a fire, to ward off a potential chimney fire. You also might have heard the term “creosote” bandied about by your sweep or in reference to chimney fires. But what exactly is creosote? How does it form? And why is it so dangerous?

What is creosote?

Creosote is a natural byproduct of burning wood. It’s a tar-like substance that sticks to the walls of your chimney and builds up over time. Creosote can be sticky and brown or smooth and black.

How does creosote form?

Every time you burn a wood fire in your fireplace, creosote builds up on the walls of your chimney. As smoke travels up your chimney, it cools, and condensation forms on the walls of your chimney. That condensation contains all of the chemical elements put off by your wood fire. As your chimney continues to cool, the condensation hardens into creosote.

Why is creosote so dangerous?

The No. 1 danger associated with creosote is chimney fire. Creosote is highly combustible, and when it builds up to a measurable degree within your chimney, it poses a major fire risk. Creosote caked on the walls of your chimney can ignite either when the temperature within your chimney spikes to high enough temperature, or when a stray ember from the fireplace makes its way into the chimney. Ultimately, creosote is considered the primary risk factor for a chimney fire.

Creosote does come with some health risk factors, as well, but because the average homeowner using a wood-burning fireplace doesn’t come into contact with creosote, the health dangers of creosote are generally negligible for those who aren’t handling it. Creosote can irritate eyes and skin upon contact, or it can aggravate the lungs if inhaled. Ingesting creosote can cause stomach pain or even liver or kidney damage.

How can you reduce the dangers of creosote?

You probably know that the best way to reduce the dangers of creosote, namely the dangers of a chimney fire, is to have your chimney swept and inspected regularly. As those in the chimney industry are fond of saying, “Clean chimneys don’t catch fire!” In between sweepings, you can reduce creosote buildup in your chimney by burning dry, seasoned firewood. Seasoned firewood burns hotter and more cleanly, while wet firewood lets of more smoke and steam, leading to a more rapid buildup of creosote in the chimney.

Keep your home safe from the dangers of creosote by having your chimney swept and inspect before you burn a fire this fall! If you’re due for a chimney sweeping, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment today!

The Importance Of Waterproofing Your Chimney

Nothing damages a chimney like water. Since chimneys get little protection from the elements, chimneys are subjected to a seemingly endless barrage of water. Due to rainstorms, snowstorms, sleet and ice. The best way to protect your chimney structure from water is with chimney waterproofing.

How water damages your chimney:

The masonry materials that are used to construct chimneys are highly porous. That means every time water comes into contact with your chimney’s masonry — from the chimney’s bricks and mortar to the masonry chimney crown — the chimney is absorbing that moisture. When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, damaging the chimney’s masonry. From there, a cycle of chimney deterioration begins: The weakened masonry lets more water in, and the water causes more and more damage. Water penetrating the chimney leads to crumbling mortar, spalling bricks, damaged flue tiles and an overall weakening of the chimney structure. Water making its way in through the chimney also can cause metal chimney and fireplace components to rust and your home’s structure to rot or mold.

How waterproofing can protect your chimney:

The best way to protect your chimney and your home from water damage is with chimney waterproofing. Waterproofing involves applying a specialized solution to the chimney’s exterior masonry. The solution prevents the masonry from absorbing moisture while still allowing the chimney to “breathe” and exhaust the gases and water that are byproducts of a wood-burning fireplace.

Why you should have your chimney waterproofed now:

Chimney water damage can be an expensive proposition. Cracked or crumbling masonry needs to be replaced or repaired as soon as possible. Water damage can compromise the entire chimney structure, meaning that if it’s not addressed, you could be left looking at having your chimney demolished and rebuilt. Having your chimney waterproofed prevents water damage before it starts. That can save you from making major, expensive masonry repairs down the road. And with cold, wet winter weather on the way, now is the best time to have your chimney waterproofed.

Where to find chimney waterproofing services:

If you want to make sure that your chimney is protected from water and the damaging freeze-thaw cycle, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule your chimney waterproofing today! At Your Chimney Sweep, we rely on Chimney Saver Solution to protect chimneys from water damage. Chimney Saver Solution is the industry’s preferred waterproofing product. It protects your chimney entirely from water intruding while still allowing vapor from your fireplace to evaporate away. It also protects your chimney without altering the look of the masonry whatsoever. Don’t wait to take action until your chimney is showing signs of water damage; call now to have your chimney waterproofed with Chimney Saver Solution from Your Chimney Sweep!