Keeping Your Fireplace Safe: A Guide to Creosote Management

Stages of Creosote Buildup

As chimney professionals, we encounter three distinct stages of creosote buildup. Each stage has unique characteristics and requires different removal methods.

Stage 1: Light and Flaky

Stage 1 creosote is light and flaky, resembling soot. This type of creosote is normal when using correctly seasoned firewood. It is the easiest to remove and can typically be cleaned with a standard chimney brush. Regular maintenance can prevent this buildup from progressing to more severe stages.

Stage 2: Sticky and Tar-like

Stage 2 creosote is more challenging to deal with. It appears sticky like tar or forms large hard black flakes. This type of creosote is more difficult to remove than Stage 1 and usually requires mechanical rotary cleaning tools to eliminate it from the chimney walls effectively.

Stage 3: Hard and Glossy

Stage 3  creosote is the most dangerous and difficult to remove. It forms a hard, glossy coating inside the chimney. Several factors contribute to Stage 3 buildup, including using unseasoned wood, an oversized flue, improper insulation leading to rapid cooling, and fires starved for oxygen. Mechanical cleaning is often insufficient for removing Stage 3 creosote, and chemical treatments are typically necessary. Chemical treatments are not the only option. We also use tile breakers to bust out the terracotta tiles on the interior of the chimney. Then, we reline with a stainless steel liner. This stage poses a significant risk for chimney fires due to its highly flammable nature.

Preventing Creosote Buildup

Here’s how to keep your chimney creosote-free:

• Burn Seasoned Wood: Only use firewood that has been dried for at least a year. Seasoned wood burns hotter, producing less smoke and creosote.
• Maintain Proper Airflow: Always open the damper fully before lighting a fire. Ensure your flue size is appropriate for your fireplace.
• Build Hot Fires: Use proper kindling to start a hot fire that burns efficiently. Avoid smoldering fires.
• Schedule Regular Inspections: Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified professional at least once a year. They can check for creosote buildup, identify potential chimney problems, and remove any accumulated creosote.
• Use Properly Sized Appliances: It is also important to have a properly sized appliance if using a wood stove, insert, or zero clearance fireplace. Oversizing an appliance means the client will cut back and simmer the wood, leading to creosote issues. This is an important reason to purchase from a seasoned, knowledgeable dealer (like us!).
• Switch to a Gas Insert: Eliminate your reliance on wood by having us install a gas insert in your current fireplace! This will stop any further creosote buildup. Plus, we’ll completely clean out existing creosote before installing the insert!