The Dangers of Creosote Buildup
For their warmth, beauty, and ambiance, wood stoves and fireplaces are a desirable feature for many homeowners. To maximize the enjoyment of these installations, it’s important to take the necessary care to avoid potential fire hazards and other dangers. Monitoring and managing creosote buildup supports both chimney system safety and efficiency, as explored in this guide.
What is Creosote?
When wood is burned, not all of it combusts during the process, resulting in creosote. Since this byproduct is a natural result of the wood-burning process, the presence of creosote in home chimney systems is common. However, problems start to arise when creosote is allowed to accumulate over time. All creosote is flammable, but greater accumulations come with the greater potential for safety risks and operational issues. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the primary cause of most home fires is a lack of cleaning, which can derive from dangerous creosote buildup.
Factors such as airflow and flue temperature contribute to creosote buildup, so three different stages of creosote buildup may be found in home chimney systems.
- Level 1: Powdery dust that normally can be removed with a rotary power sweeping brush, but can be a potential fire hazard if not removed.
- Level 2: Flakes or hard clustered tar chunks that are very difficult to remove and indicate an issue with restricted air flow. At level 2 buildup, the creosote is highly flammable and has corrosive properties.
- Level 3: Heavy glazed creosote is a severe problem and requires professional intervention because it cannot be removed by normal sweeping methods. At level 3 buildup, the creosote essentially infects the flue lining with glassy tar that is extremely flammable.
Fortunately, regular chimney inspections and maintenance help reduce the potential for creosote buildup and the problems related to it.
How does Creosote Buildup Impact Chimney Performance and Safety?
When the chimney experts near you evaluate your installations, homeowners should hope for the common stage 1 creosote finding, as it poses less of a threat than the other two stages. Additionally, stage 1 creosote is much easier to clean than a more substantial presence of creosote. Therefore, prioritizing chimney cleaning or the necessary chimney repairs to improve chimney system efficiency helps reduce the chances of the following consequences, which are associated with putting off this maintenance and more extensive creosote buildup:
- Increased fire hazards: Creosote buildup contributes to the greater risk of home fires and the potential damage that these fires can cause. Even a seemingly small amount may start a fire that results not only in the destruction of the chimney itself but also other areas throughout the house. According to ClaimsMate, smoke damage alone can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $30,000. In addition to the structure of the home and its contents, the greatest danger of creosote buildup and its potential to start a fire is the threat it poses to your safety and that of your loved ones.
- Air quality concerns: Another health danger tied to creosote is related to air quality. As shared by the EPA, breathing smoke with creosote particles and other harmful contaminants may exacerbate asthma, cause other respiratory issues, and impact individuals with heart and lung disease. Creosote buildup can also interfere with ventilation, which may result in greater carbon monoxide exposure.
- Damage to chimney structure: In addition to potential fire damage, creosote can contribute to the ongoing deterioration of the chimney system. For example, while a chimney liner is designed to protect the chimney structure from intense heat and byproducts of burning, such a creosote, creosote buildup over time may weaken it, especially if there are other issues such as moisture. If the liner starts to break down, the structure of your chimney is at risk, and other dangers such as fire and air contamination may be more likely to occur.
- Inefficient chimney operation: Be sure to take note of any changes to your fireplace or wood-burning stove experience and act accordingly. They may be both the cause and the consequence of creosote. For example, reduced airflow often results in more creosote and more smoke but less heat and slower burning. Creosote buildup itself is also one reason that ventilation can be compromised.
Consequently, the Chimney Safety Institute of America encourages at least one chimney system inspection each year, making timely repairs as needed, and a routine cleaning or maintenance schedule. Based on the results of your next inspection, ask your local chimney experts for their recommendations regarding a schedule tailored to your chimney design, burning regularity and other considerations specific to your home.
Whether you have current creosote concerns or simply want to establish a set service schedule to ensure the safety of your household and your chimney system use, contact Spotless Chimney today! In addition to inspections, our chimney services include chimney liner and flue installations, repairs and rebuilds, and other important chimney system care. Call with any questions or book your appointment here!
