Creosote Buildup What It Is and Why It Matters to Clean it

While the fireplace adds a warm touch to your home’s environment, it comes with a responsibility you can’t ignore: cleaning the chimneys regularly. If the chimneys are not cleaned regularly, many problems can ruin your fireplace experience. However, creosote buildup is the most dangerous of these issues due to the serious safety hazards this substance causes, if it’s not removed from the chimneys.

In this blog post, we’ll explain what creosote is, how it builds up inside your chimneys and why it is important to clean it. We’ll also explore the signs you should watch out for before calling a chimney sweep, and how you deal with creosote buildup.

What is Creosote?

Creosote is a thick, black, tar-like substance that can accumulate in your chimney when you burn wood or fossil fuels in the fireplace. It not only gives a bad look but can be very dangerous due to its highly flammable nature.

Creosote appears as a fine, smoky residue called soot, in its early stage but after some time, it condenses and hardens into its hard form. Creosote has three stages in its formation:

1. Stage 1 (Soot): In this stage, a fine powder starts building up in the chimney. This powdered early form of creosote is not much of a concern and can be cleaned using just a chimney brush.
2. Stage 2 (Sticky Creosote): If the soot isn’t removed from the chimney, it forms a tar-like layer on your chimney walls. Its sticky nature makes it very difficult to remove and you might need a professional chimney sweep to deal with it.

Stage 3 (Glazed Creosote): The sticky creosote gradually becomes hardened. This creosote stage is extremely difficult to remove and can be highly flammable. Due to its flammability, the hardened creosote is very dangerous and you need to call a professional chimney sweep to get rid of it properly.

What are the Causes of Creosote Buildup?

Creosote can build up in your chimneys due to several reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons of creosote buildup inside chimneys:

Burning Wet Wood

Wood that hasn’t been properly dried might have high moisture content. If you burn this wood without drying, it produces cooler smoke which can condense in the chimney quickly. This condensation leads to formation of creosote. Therefore, you should use only dried wood for burning purposes to avoid speeding up the creosote formation.

Inadequate Ventilation

In addition to wet wood, another reason for creosote accumulation can be poor ventilation. It causes low oxygen supply which isn’t enough to properly burn the wood. This will lead to low temperature fire which creates more smoke and soot, and lead to creosote formation. Poor airflow can be caused by closed dampers, blocked chimneys or improperly sized flues.

Incomplete Combustion

If you put too much wood in the fireplace at once or if you’re using unseasoned wood, it won’t burn completely. This incomplete combustion releases some compounds that are not only harmful for the indoor air quality but can also lead to creosote formation after condensation in the chimneys.

Low Chimney Temperatures

When you burn a fire with a cool chimney, the smoke can quickly condense onto the chimney walls and form a thick creosote layer. It can be due to a poorly insulated chimney or if your fireplace doesn’t have enough airflow. Low temperature fires are also responsible for cool chimneys and can also lead to creosote formation.

Why is It Important to Clean Creosote Buildup?

Regularly cleaning creosote buildup is important for several reasons:

Fire Safety

Creosote is highly flammable in its second and third stage. It can catch fire at even relatively low temperatures of around 451°F or 233°C. Creosote formation is one of the leading reasons for house fires with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimating that around 30% of all residential fires are caused by inadequate creosote cleaning. So, regular chimney cleaning by a chimney sweep is important for reducing fire risks and keeping you and your family safe.

Fireplace Efficiency

Creosote buildup is not only dangerous due to risks of fires but it can block the airflow through your chimney. This blockage causes improper ventilation which in turn leads to the wood not being burnt properly. It increases smoke production and causes an unnecessary spike in your heating costs as you have to use more wood due to reduced efficiency.

Health Risks

Creosote can be a serious health risk if it is inhaled, ingested or even if it comes in contact with your skin. It’s a mixture of many harmful chemical compounds which are dangerous for your health. If you’re exposed to creosote for a longer period of time, it might lead to skin irritation, respiratory problems or even chemical burns.

Additionally, creosote accumulation can block the chimneys which leaves no way for the smoke to escape. This means the smoke is redirected to your living spaces. In addition to the smoke, colorless and odorless gasses like carbon monoxide also make their way into your living spaces. These gasses can be a major health concern as inhaling them can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Chimney Damage

Apart from all these reasons, the creosote can also damage your chimney if it’s left uncleaned for too long. Creosote buildup can corrode metal flue liners and also damage masonry chimneys. The longer you wait to clean your chimney, the more damage creosote can cause. It leads to repair costs much higher than what you would have paid to a chimney sweep for cleaning the chimneys.

Signs of Creosote Buildup

Now that you know why you should clean creosote accumulated in your chimneys, let’s see what are the signs that your chimney needs cleaning due to excessive creosote:

Smoky Odor

A persistent smoky odor in your home, especially when the fireplace is in use, might be a sign of creosote buildup. It can also be a sign that invisible gases that can be harmful, are leaking into your living spaces due to creosote blocking your chimneys.

Difficulty in Starting Fires

If you’re having difficulty starting fires or fires don’t burn as long as they used to, it might be due to creosote buildup in your chimneys. Creosote accumulation can reduce airflow which leads to difficulty starting fires.

Visible Buildup

Inspect your chimney for black or dark brown deposits on the walls or inside the flue. If you notice these deposits, it’s a clear sign of creosote buildup that needs to be cleaned up immediately.

Strange Sounds

If you hear unusual popping or crackling from the chimney while you’re using the fireplace, it might be a sign of severe creosote accumulation. Small patches of creosote can catch fire in the chimney and produce these sounds.

This is an extremely dangerous situation as these fires can spread to your home if you don’t clean the chimneys. You should immediately call a chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimneys to avoid dangerous fires in this situation.

Sooty Residue After Fires

After using the fireplace, see if there is an excessive amount of sooty residue. It’s a sign that creosote is building up in your chimney, even though it might be in initial stages for now, it can quickly turn into a major blockage or fire concern.

How to Get Rid of Creosote Buildup?

If you’ve discovered any of the signs of creosote buildup, it’s important to take immediate action before any mishap. Methods of cleaning creosote buildup vary based on what stage of creosote we are dealing with. Here are some solutions for creosote buildup depending on the stage of the creosote buildup:

Stage 1: Soot

If you detect creosote in its initial stage where it appears as light and flaky soot, it’s relatively easier to clean it.

You can use a chimney brush to scrub the flue or the visible buildup to clean it.
If you’re worried you might cause a mess while cleaning, you can hire a chimney sweep for regular inspection and cleaning to clean the stage 1 creosote. However, it’s not required at this stage.
Stage 2: Sticky Creosote

At this stage, the creosote is no longer in powdered form but has become a sticky substance that deposits on your chimney walls. It needs more effort to be cleaned than just a chimney brush.

A rotary brush might be needed to deal with the sticky creosote as a normal chimney brush can’t handle it. If you have one, you can clean the chimney yourself, although it’s not recommended at this stage due to the dangers involved.
A professional chimney sweep might be required if you want to properly clean stage 2 creosote without any health, or safety concerns.

Stage 3: Glazed Creosote

Glazed creosote is the most advanced stage of creosote buildup. It is a highly dangerous and difficult to clean form of creosote. It needs to be cleaned immediately to avoid any fires and health issues.

You should not attempt DIY methods if you discover glazed creosote accumulated in your chimneys.
A certified chimney sweep should be called in to deal with glazed creosote due to the safety concerns while cleaning it.

Reliable Chimney Sweep to Clean Creosote Buildup?

Creosote is a silent but dangerous threat to your home. It’s essential to take action quickly to protect your home and your family. Hiring a reliable chimney sweep ensures your chimney stays spotless with no risk of fires.

At Delta Clean Air, we specialize in comprehensive chimney cleaning services that can tackle creosote no matter the stage. Our certified team uses advanced techniques and equipment to ensure your chimney is safe, efficient and ready for use.

Don’t wait for a fire due to the creosote—-schedule a chimney cleaning today!