Because wood burned in a fireplace or wood stove rarely undergoes complete combustion, the residues in the smoke condenses and collects on the inner walls of the flue. The condensing process is slower and creosote can build up quicker in chimneys that are located on the outside wall of a home due rapid cool down.
1st degree creosote is light and powdery soot.
2nd degree creosote is chunky and looks like burnt pop corn.
3rd degree creosote looks wet or slick, this is the type of creosote that is flammable.
The light powdery debris is easy to brush out of the flue. While the thick, chunky, and glassy debris may adhere to the surface of the flue.
These kinds of debris are very difficult to clean with only wire brushes; this is where a chemical cleaning comes into play.
A chemical cleaning is a 2-3 step process depending on the severity of the build up.
On the first visit, the inner walls of the flue is vigorously swept with a wire brush and then liberally sprayed with TSR (chemical).
TSR should remain in the flue to dry and breakdown creosote deposits about 5-7 days.
The flue will be vigorously swept again on the second visit, approximately 5-7 days later.
The flue will be reevaluated at this time to see if an additional application is necessary.
Please note, your fireplace or wood stove can NOT be used during this period.
Think you may have creosote build up? Call Boston’s Best Chimney today to schedule a visual inspection