Avoid Chimney Fires This Christmas: The Dangers of Creosote Build-Up
Nothing says Christmas like singing carols around a roaring fireplace with presents nestled under the tree. Sitting in front of your fireplace with loved ones is the perfect way to spend Christmas, but your chimney has an unseen danger. So, here is a guide- Avoid Chimney Fires This Christmas: The Dangers of Creosote Buildup.
What is Creosote and Why is it Dangerous?
Creosote is a sticky, tar-like substance produced every time you burn logs in your fireplace. It can coat your chimney from top to bottom. It condenses in your chimney’s flue at temperatures of 250°F or less and, once the temperature drops below 150°F, adheres to the flue’s interior. The more logs you burn, the more creosote will build up.
You are probably wondering how creosote can cause a fire at Christmas or any time of the year. Once the creosote has built up enough, it can only be removed by a professional chimney sweep service. If you have a creosote buildup in your chimney, it can be hazardous. Creosote has a very low ignition temperature, making it highly flammable. All it takes is a hot ember floating up a chimney’s flue blanketed with creosote for a chimney fire to start. Not only will a chimney fire damage your chimney, but it could quickly spread to your roof and attic, and from there, it won’t be long until the whole house is engulfed in flames.
What Can Be Done about Creosote Buildups Before the Christmas Season?
Have Your Chimney Swept
As dangerous as creosote is, all is not lost. A qualified and reputable chimney sweep service has the tools and solutions to remove creosote from inside your chimney. Using special brushes and the aforementioned solutions, they can remove creosote from every nook and cranny of your chimney. Don’t try to remove the creosote enough; you may remove a small amount, but not as much as a professional chimney sweep service would. I don’t believe the claims of creosote removing logs; they can only remove creosote when it is just beginning to build up in your chimney. Not only will your chimney be safe from fires when you have it cleaned by professional chimney sweeps, but it will also improve the draft in your chimney, making it easier to light a fire that will also burn longer.
Don’t Burn Green Wood This Christmas
Green, or wet wood, when burned creates more smoke and, with it, more creosote. Make sure that you are only burning seasoned wood because it has had time to cure and won’t have the water content of unseasoned wood. If you aren’t sure if your wood is seasoned, it will have to have been stored in a dry environment for at least six months. If you don’t have any firewood cured that long, you can buy seasoned wood at retail locations.
Additional Safety Tips
Before starting a fire in your hearth for Christmas, have a smoke and carbon monoxide detector fifteen feet away from your fireplace, or replace the batteries if you already have them.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case a fire starts. It only takes seconds for an ember from your fireplace to turn into a blaze. With that in mind, keep your live Christmas tree from your fireplace on the opposite side of the room. You can also place a screen in front of the fireplace to prevent anything hot from leaping from your fireplace.
Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Can Prepare Your Chimney for Christmastime
Contact us today to get your chimney inspected and swept before your holiday gatherings. After all, at this time of year, we want to make sure those loved ones who gather near us are safe. Don’t wait until a fire breaks out in your chimney; get in touch today.
