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Q: What is creosote?
A:
The “by products of combustion” include smoke, water vapor, gases,
unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon volatile, tar fog and assorted
minerals. As these substances flow up the relatively cooler chimney
condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner
walls of the chimney is called creosote.
Creosote is black or brown in
appearance. It can be crusty and flaky, tar-like (drippy and
sticky) or shiny and hardened. All forms can be found in the same
chimney system. It is highly combustible in all forms.
Q: What causes
creosote?
A: Certain conditions encourage creosote buildup.
Restricted air supply, unseasoned wood and cooler than normal flue
temperatures are all factors that can accelerate the buildup of creosote
on chimney flue walls. Air supplies may be restricted by closed glass
doors or failure to open the damper wide enough to move heated smoke up
the chimney rapidly. Burning unseasoned wood uses more energy to draw
trapped water from the logs keeping the smoke temperature cooler as it
moves through the system. Limiting the air supply by closing the damper
too soon or leaving it closed for long periods of time causes slow cool
smoke which leads to creosote.
Q: Why should I have my
chimney inspected after a chimney fire
A: Masonry chimneys – the
high temperatures (2000 deg F) can melt mortar, crack tiles, cause
liners to collapse and damage the outer masonry material. Any cracks or
mortar displacement provides a pathway for flames to reach combustible
surfaces on or within the structure.
Prefabricated,
factory-built, metal chimneys – while designed to withstand temperatures
up to 2100 deg F, warping and separation at the seams may occur.
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