As the fire burns, the remover’s chemicals—which include copper chloride, silicon dioxide, and fixed carbon—coat the chimney liner and keep creosote residue from adhering while also breaking down any existing buildup. This powdered formulation comes in a 5-pound tub, enough to keep a chimney clean for a whole season of fires.
Full Answer
How to clean a chimney?
Steps for Chimney Cleaning 1 Get the Right Chimney Cleaning Tools. Measure the diameter of your flue liner so you can get the correct brush size. ... 2 Prepare the Fireplace 3 Inspect the Smoke Chamber, Smoke Shelf and Flue 4 Protect the Room 5 Clean the Flue 6 Finish Cleaning the Chimney 7 Clean Up
What chemicals are used to clean flue and chimney?
Flue & Chimney Cleaning Chemicals 1 Creosote. Creosote is a tarry substance that forms when wood burns and is carried up the inside of a chimney as part of the smoke. 2 Sodium Chloride. Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is a simple chemical that is easy to find. ... 3 Copper Sulfate. ... 4 Other Considerations. ...
What is a chimney sweeping log?
Chimney sweeping logs help clear out your chimney and remove any creosote. These logs may also be referred to as a creosote sweeping log, a chimney sweeping log, a creosote log, or a creosote cleaning log. Creosote builds up when you use green or less-dry firewood. Because the fire doesn’t get as hot, smoke condenses faster.
What happens if you use too much Chimney Cleaner?
In addition, overuse can damage chimneys, particularly metal-lined chimneys, and can reduce the life of your chimney or flue. Too much of a chimney-cleaning chemical can even cause a fire itself. An ounce per week is typically sufficient.
Does chimney cleaning powder work?
The conclusion of the authors is that the chemical chimney cleaning products were ineffective, and in some cases caused worse creosote buildup than the controls. A good hot fire, and maintaining hot chimney temperatures seemed to be best at preventing creosote buildup.
How does creosote powder work?
The heat from a fire releases the active ingredients, which then penetrate first- or second-degree creosote. This remover dissolves the sticky, tar-like residue and turns it into powdery ash that falls harmlessly to the bottom of the firebox.
How does chimney cleaner work?
Chimney sweeps use a heavy metal bristled brush to clean your chimney. These tools are long rods, with the bristles located at the very tip. Professional chimney sweeps will also be outfitted in gloves, goggles, and masks to protect themselves from the soot and ash.
Do chimney cleaning logs actually work?
Many homeowners wonder if the chimney sweep logs or creosote sweeping logs really work to clean out fireplace flues and get rid of creosote residue so that the fireplaces are safe to use. The short answer is no, they don't work. At least, not well enough to completely clean out the flue the way it should be cleaned.
Will a hot fire remove creosote?
One method to loosen crusty or tarry creosote so it flakes off and falls down into the firebox or fireplace is to burn aluminum cans in a very hot fire. While this method works, it does not clean the chimney of creosote completely, and chimney brush cleaning is still necessary.
How do I stop creosote buildup in my chimney?
How to Minimize Creosote Buildup & Prevent a Chimney FireOnly burn dry, seasoned firewood. ... Never burn artificial logs. ... Build hot, clean burning fires. ... Make sure the fire gets enough oxygen. ... Reduce condensation by warming up a cold flue. ... Schedule an annual chimney cleaning and inspection.
Do chimney cleaning sachets work?
Using these sachets (one per week for maintenance), will help prevent a build-up of flammable soot deposit, increase heat efficiency of your wood burner, as well as reduce smoke emissions and help prevent flue fires.
How do I know if my chimney needs cleaning?
Here are our top 9 Signs that Your Chimney Needs to Be Cleaned:Oily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace.Poorly Burning Fires.Odors Coming from the Fireplace.Animals are Inside Your Chimney.Smoke Doesn't Rise Up the Chimney.Fires are Difficult to Get Started.Chimney Soot is Falling from the Chimney.More items...
How often should a chimney be cleaned?
once a yearHow often should you clean your chimney? Both the NFPA and Spisto recommend getting your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year by a qualified professional. Carli says that regardless of chimney type, you should you have your chimney swept at least one time a year.
What dissolves creosote?
Creosote is moderately soluble in water. Spraying water onto the creosote will help to remove the liquid. However, creosote is a type of oil that is never removed fully by water. Bleach and industrial cleaners will help to pull the creosote out of clothes and off of skin or other surfaces.
Do you burn a creosote log by itself?
You can burn the creosote log in your fireplace, so you don't need to get into your chimney. These logs have chemicals that loosen the creosote, but you can use them in any wood-burning fire. You do need to make sure you remove the creosote as it falls to the bottom of your fireplace.
How often should I burn a creosote log?
For the best results, you should use one log for every 60 fires. If you're not sure how frequently you use your chimney, keep track of every fire. You might hit 60 fires in two months, or it could take longer.
How long does creosote take to dry?
In ideal conditions, creosote will take 24 to 48 hours to dry.
How long does it take creosote to break down in the soil?
Complete decomposition is assumed to occur over approximately 40 to over 100 years.
Is creosote harmful to humans?
These reports indicate that brief exposure to large amounts of coal tar creosote may result in a rash or severe irritation of the skin, chemical burns of the surfaces of the eye, convulsions and mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, unconsciousness, or even death.
What neutralizes creosote?
Fill a bowl full of distilled white vinegar.Put the bowl in the center of the room. The white vinegar will neutralize the smell in the room. ... Leave the bowl alone for at least 24 hours.Repeat the process if the smell still remains. If the room is large, use two bowls and place them on opposite ends of the room.
Why Does a Chimney Need to Be Cleaned?
As you use your fireplace, creosote builds up inside of the chimney. This flammable substance can ignite into a fire that spreads throughout the chimney and to your home. Even a minor chimney fire can damage the flue liner, leaving the chimney more vulnerable to fires in the future.
How to Clean a Chimney From the Roof or Fireplace
You can clean a chimney top-down from the roof or from the bottom-up inside the house. If you’re not experienced working on the roof of a house or if your roof is particularly steep, hire a professional or consider the bottom-up method of cleaning the chimney from the fireplace.
How Often Should You Clean a Chimney?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that you have a professional chimney inspection and cleaning at least once a year. Even if you rarely use the fireplace, animals may take up shelter in the chimney and bees may decide it’s perfect for building a hive in the summer.
Are Cleaning Logs Safe?
When you use them often and correctly, these logs are safe. You can burn the creosote log in your fireplace, so you don’t need to get into your chimney. These logs have chemicals that loosen the creosote, but you can use them in any wood-burning fire.
What to do after using a chimney log?
After you use one of these logs, use a broom to sweep up debris. That way, you won’t risk the creosote building up and catching fire. You should also use these logs along with professional chimney sweeps. A professional can ensure your chimney is clean, and they can reach places that the chimney logs can miss.
What is the third stage of creosote?
The third stage is when the creosote turns into a glaze, and you will need to replace the chimney liner to get rid of everything. If you use a chimney cleaning log regularly, they can work well. But you should get a professional cleaning as well. Not only can a chimney sweep get rid of stage one creosote, but a pro can clean up stages two ...
How to get rid of creosote in chimney?
You can put the log with your next fire, and its chemicals will help loosen the creosote. By getting rid of the deposit, you can keep your chimney working efficiently, and you can reduce the chances of chimney fires.
What is a chimney sweeping log?
Chimney sweeping logs help clear out your chimney and remove any creosote. These logs may also be referred to as a creosote sweeping log, a chimney sweeping log, a creosote log, or a creosote cleaning log. Creosote builds up when you use green or less-dry firewood. Because the fire doesn’t get as hot, smoke condenses faster.
How many stages of creosote are there?
Creosote occurs in three stages, and these logs can help with the first stage. At that point, the creosote is flaky, and you can brush it away. But by the second stage, the flakes contain tar. You’ll need to contact a professional chimney sweep to fix the issue.
What is the purpose of chimney cleaning products?
The purpose of chimney cleaning products is to prevent this : a roaring chimney fire.
What is the process of cleaning creosote?
Creosote cleaning phases started with dirty chimneys, and chemical cleaners were then applied. The fires were either hot or a mixture of hot and cool.
Does a chimney cleaner reduce creosote?
In fact, in our tests , temperature was clearly a more important contributor to the reduction of creosote accumulation than was the use of any one of the chemical chimney cleaners. In general, relatively small, hot fires tend to be cleaner-burning (producing less smoke) than do large-fuel-load smoldering fires, thereby substantially lessening the rate of creosote buildup in the first place. And, once a tar glaze has formed in the chimney, a hot fire tends to transform it into a dry, flaky deposit. A deposit of this type is light in weight, may fall off the chimney walls of its own accord, and (even if it does not drop) is much easier to brush away than the original gooey creosote.
Do chimney cleaners work?
However, even if some chemical chimney cleaners do sometimes work, it's evident that they don't always work. Both laboratory records and real-world experience prove the point. Therefore, it can be quite dangerous for anyone who uses a flue treatment compound to assume that it's working.
Is Fireplace Cleaning a DIY Job?
Since that area is hard to reach in some fireplaces, check yours to see if you can reach into it and still have room to maneuver a brush. If you can’t reach it, this isn’t a DIY project.
How to get rid of creosote on a fireplace?
Grab your brightest flashlight and a fireplace poker and lean into the firebox. Shine your light into the smoke chamber and flue and use the poker to scratch the surface. If the soot has a matte black finish and the scratch is 1/8 in. deep or less, it’s a DIY job. But if the buildup is deeper or has a shiny, tar-like appearance, you have heavy creosote buildup. Stop using your fireplace immediately and call a professional chimney sweep.
What is a professional cleaning of a chimney?
A professional cleaning includes an inspection for soot buildup, obstructions, cracks in the chimney liner and signs of water damage. Older chimneys often have gaps between clay liner sections where the mortar has fallen out.
How many chimney fires do you see a year?
Chimney sweeps may see 40 to 50 chimney fires a year, and more than half of the chimneys they service require extra cleaning because the homeowners wait too long before calling. In extreme cases, the hardened layer of buildup requires cleaning with special tools or chemicals.
How hot does a chimney fire get?
In less than a minute, it builds to more than 2,000 degrees F and can engulf your entire chimney and destroy your home.
How to get ashes out of a firebox?
Strap on goggles and a respirator, clean the ashes out of the firebox and remove the grate. Then open a door or window and wait a few minutes before opening the damper so the pressures equalize. Then open the damper and wait a few more minutes for heat to rise from the house.
What happens when you burn wood?
If you see moisture bubbling out the ends of the logs when they’re burning, the wood is wet. This green wood doesn’t burn cleanly and sends a lot of unburned particles (smoke) up the chimney, where they build up as creosote and soot. Dry hardwoods, such as oak and birch, burn hotter and cleaner.
What is the best way to clean a chimney?
When choosing a commercially made chimney cleaner, one of the most effective ingredients is copper sulfate. This material coats and interacts chemically with the soot embedded in the creosote inside of your chimney and helps it burn away at a lower temperature than is normally needed. However, like table salt, copper sulfate combines with water and creates sulfurous or sulfuric acid. This acid can damage the inside of your chimney, and so should be used with care.
How to clean creosote from chimney?
While chemical cleaners can prevent buildup of creosote, the only way to effectively remove creosote is to manually scrub the inside of the chimney with an appropriate brush. Chemical cleaners should never be your sole method of cleaning your chimney. In addition, overuse can damage chimneys, particularly metal-lined chimneys, and can reduce the life of your chimney or flue. Too much of a chimney-cleaning chemical can even cause a fire itself. An ounce per week is typically sufficient. Read all instructions before using any chemical cleaner.
What is the substance that forms when wood burns?
Creosote. Creosote is a tarry substance that forms when wood burns and is carried up the inside of a chimney as part of the smoke. The creosote collects on the inside of the chimney and traps carbon, usually soot, which is also part of the smoke from burning wood.
What is the best chimney cleaner?
Copper Sulfate. When choosing a commercially made chimney cleaner, one of the most effective ingredients is copper sulfate. This material coats and interacts chemically with the soot embedded in the creosote inside of your chimney and helps it burn away at a lower temperature than is normally needed.
What is the danger of a wood burning stove?
One of the major hazards of a wood-burning stove or fireplace is the development of creosote, a chemical that can build up on the inside of chimneys and flues. Regular cleaning and inspection, preferably by a professional, will prevent buildup, but you can prevent buildup yourself, as well, using chemicals that protect your fireplace ...
How to get rid of creosote in wood?
Put a little salt in the fire while it is burning. The salt combines with the water in the burning wood to create a weak acid that travels up the chimney and dissolves small amounts of creosote. This method should be used with care, however. It should not be overdone and should not be used in a metal chimney, as the acid can interact with the metal and cause corrosion.
Is a chimney fire dangerous?
Not only does this cause ventilation problems, but the mixture is quite flammable, and a chimney fire is dangerous and can lead to the destruction of your chimney or even your home.
Why is creosote in a flue cool?
Flue systems that tend to develop excess creosote are usually relatively cool compared with better performing systems, due to factors such as poor combustion or less-than-optimal flue design. There may not be sufficient heat in the system for chemical reactions to occur needed to loosen creosote from the flue surfaces.
What is the purpose of chemical chimney cleaners?
Chemical chimney cleaners: the purpose of chemical additives . Because wood burned in a fireplace or wood stove rarely undergoes complete combustion, smoke containing vaporized residues of the wood rises with the heat and then condenses and collects on the inner walls of the flue or smoke passageway.
Do wood stoves create creosote?
As wood burner, your goal should be to burn cleanly and not create excessive smoke or creosote. A well operated, well designed system in which the fireplace or wood stove is matched with an appropriate chimney will generally not tend to form excessive creosote. Deposits in the flue are usually light and easily removed, and chemical treatments are not needed.
Does chimney cleaner remove creosote?
Claims of chemical chimney cleaner products range from decreasing the amount of future creosote buildup to completely eliminating creosote from a dirty chimney. For example, the widely advertised Chimney Sweeping Log distributed in the U.S. by Joseph Enterprises “inhibits the rate of creosote buildup and reacts with most chimney deposit to reduce the adhesiveness,” to “achieve a complete cleaning of the inside surface of your chimney” according to their promotional literature.
Can a chimney professional clean a chimney?
A chimney professional can check your chimney and may recommend the use of a chemical chimney cleaning product, if needed to facilitate future cleaning. If so, ask him or her about operating procedures that will help you burn wood in your fireplace or wood stove without forming excessive creosote. He or she may suggest improvements to your chimney system.
Is chemical chimney cleaning effective?
Chemical chimney cleaning: the effectiveness of chemical additives. Chimney professionals have found some products so effective in certain situations that they sell them to their customers. Professional chimney sweeps may ask customers to use the product to treat creosote deposits prior to mechanical sweeping, or to minimize deposits in between ...
Is creosote flammable?
These residues, known as creosote, are highly flammable and provide the fuel for chimney fires. Deposits in the flue or connector pipes may also obstruct the passage of smoke. Therefore it is desirable to keep creosote deposits to a minimum.
