Author: WPV

For anyone who uses an open fire or wood-burning stove consistently, there will inevitably be a build-up in their chimney as a result of the compounds that are released into the air as part of the burning process. These compounds collectively are called creosote. They are generated regardless of the kind of wood used to make a fire, though different burning conditions will result in different forms of creosote being deposited. Creosote clings to the sides of the chimney, creating a potential fire hazard. Particularly dangerous and hard to remove is creosote which forms a sticky tar. 

A Creosote Sweeping Log (CSL) contains minerals which actively help to dry out the creosote and tar, which subsequently reduces the risk of fire, and still enables the homeowner to enjoy the benefits of their fire during the cleaning process. It is essential to understand that a Creosote Sweeping Log is not a replacement for having a chimney professionally cleaned, but it can deliver benefits and help reduce the risk of a fire in the period between professional chimney cleanings. It can also make cleaning a chimney using physical methods easier and more effective.

How Does A Creosote Sweeping Log Work?

1. The first piece of advice to anyone contemplating using a Creosote Sweeping Log is to light a wood fire first. The wood fire will heat the tar within the chimney as well as improve the draft, which is essential for the chemicals released in the burning of the CSL to be distributed well so they can do their work. On average, a CSL will burn for 90 minutes. 
2. As the CSL burns, it releases smoke containing specific chemicals. These additives then attach themselves to the creosote deposits as they rise up the chimney or flue. As a consequence, the creosote deposits are slowly reduced and the likelihood of the creosote being able to cause a chimney fire is diminished, which in turn makes using the fire significantly safer. 
3. The benefits derived from using a Creosote Sweeping Log continue to develop for about two to three weeks after it is burned as the CSL additives continue their work. Be aware if you have an open fireplace that there is a possibility that some of the creosote may fall back down the chimney into the fireplace.
4. The final benefit of using a Creosote Sweeping Log is that when the time comes to have your chimney swept, the chimney will be able to be cleaned much more effectively because there is not such an extensive build-up of creosote. In addition, much of the tar present is rendered easier to remove.

Is a Creosote Sweeping Log Compatible With All Types of Chimney? 

Creosote Sweeping Logs are compatible with fireplaces, wood stoves, fireplace inserts, gas starter fireplaces, wood/coal stoves, wood/oil mixed boilers, and wood furnaces. They should never be used with BBQs, gas logs, electrical appliances, oil stoves, or pellet stoves. 

Because the majority of chimney issues are out of sight, it can be very easy to forget about regular maintenance and cleaning. A CSL can be a helpful part of that process. But remember that a CSL is not meant to replace a professional chimney cleaning, but to supplement it. We will discuss this further in our next blog.

Before you begin using your fireplace for the winter, make sure you are doing so safely. Using a CSL can be helpful, but give us a call to schedule a professional chimney cleaning, as well.

We all live busy lives and have one hundred and one different things to worry about, so it is easy to pay little or no attention to your chimney. Reliable and faithful, most chimneys will keep working flawlessly for long periods of time, but that does not mean they do not require maintenance from time to time. But many people have no real idea when their chimney needs to be swept, or leave it until the situation becomes so bad it is dangerous. This post aims to provide our customers with some basic knowledge of the symptoms of a dirty chimney so that you can be proactive rather than reactive and ensure that your chimney is performing at its best and safest.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Badly Burning Chimney?

Once you know what to look for, it is relatively easy to identify when your chimney needs to be swept. As you might expect, a dirty or blocked chimney will become much less effective over time, and could even become a danger. Here are some of the signs your chimney needs cleaning:

• Smoke Blowing Back into the Room – The most obvious symptom is when smoke is blown back into the room. While this can tend to happen because your chimney has a particularly bad downdraft, it is an especially cold day outside, or you are not building your fires well. If you are smoking yourself out regularly with your fires, you need to get your chimney checked.
• Visible Signs of Tar – If you notice black, sticky deposits of creosote, which are visible to the human eye, then you should call a chimney sweep immediately. This kind of creosote is most likely to be responsible for chimney fires.
• Soot Dropping Down Your Fireplace – When the chimney is dirty and starting to become blocked, you will often notice that the excess soot no longer sticks inside the chimney but instead starts to drop back down into the fireplace. This is a symptom of a dirty chimney that needs to be swept. If you don’t have a fireplace but a wood stove instead, make sure you take some time to listen for this.
• A Poorly Burning Fire – A good fire requires three elements to ensure that it burns well – heat, fuel, and oxygen. When a chimney needs to be cleaned, it will become increasingly difficult to light a fire, and it often will not continue to burn well. More and more air will be required to keep the burn going. This may be because there is an insufficient oxygen flow caused by a dirty or blocked chimney.
• Signs or Sounds of Animals – When you are not using your fireplace, many birds and small animals are attracted to a chimney due to the warmth and protection from the elements. Sometimes if you listen carefully, you will hear birds in your chimney or notice numerous dropped twigs where they are trying to build a nest. In the worst-case scenario, a large nest could block the entire flue, meaning that dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide are forced back inside your home. This is one great reason to make sure you have a cap on your chimney.

Our hope when creating this article was to inform people of some of the easy-to-spot signs and symptoms that would identify a dirty chimney. If you have any questions or concerns about your chimney cleaning requirements, then contact us at our Portland, Vancouver or Salem offices. We will be glad to answer any questions you might have.