If you saw that you have a lot of debris coating the sides of a pipe in your home, you’d likely start planning to have that pipe cleaned to avoid clogs and addressed bad smells. The same thought process should apply to your chimney.
While your chimney doesn’t get as much use as your kitchen drain, it is responsible for venting out smoke and soot that doesn’t belong in your home. And these substances can leave behind a residue known as creosote that can actually create problems with that venting process.
Let’s examine what you need to know about creosote and why it is so important to get the substance out of your chimney.
What Is Creosote?
Creosote is a combination of the byproducts of a fire (ie. smoke or soot) and moisture. Creosote can also include some dirt and dust too. The end result of this combination is a sticky black substance that coats the interior of your chimney flue. And, yes, besides just looking unpleasant it has some negative impacts on your home.
The Problems Creosote Causes
Okay, so creosote can collect in your chimney flue and firebox, but is it really that big of a deal? The answer is yes. Over time, creosote can build up and create a variety of issues which can include:
- Unpleasant smells. Unless you really like the smell of a bonfire permeating your home, we’d suggest getting creosote cleaned out of your chimney regularly. After a while, this substance can start to create a smell that is similar to a bonfire or burning debris in an oven.
- Increased fire risk. Did you know that creosote is flammable? It’s true. That means that the more creosote there is in your chimney, the higher the risk is that there may be a chimney fire. This is a huge safety issue especially since the fire can reach your roof quickly.
- Damper problems. If there is creosote building up in your chimney then it is likely that it is also collecting on your damper. This can make it harder to open and close your damper, leading to airflow issues. Creosote build-up can even lead to an increased need for damper repairs.
How To Effectively Handle Creosote
We’ve established why creosote build-up is a problem. It is one that can impact pretty much every chimney that is used too. Now the question you are probably asking is how to address creosote build-up in your home.
The best way to deal with any creosote build-up in your chimney and fireplace is with a professional chimney cleaning in Minneapolis. Working with a professional means that your chimney system will be inspected first to assess the severity of the issue. Then the technician will use the appropriate tools and technicians to completely clear away all creosote and other debris in your chimney, improving airflow and functionality.
Need a chimney cleaning appointment? Schedule a visit from one of the technicians at 2nd Generation Chimneys. We are proud to be certified with the Certified Chimney Professionals (CCP).