What is a Creosote?
If you have a fireplace, the thought that most likely crosses your mind is not the upkeep that comes along with it, but rather the cozy evenings spent in front of it. However, chimneys and fireplaces need to have frequent cleaning done to them to ensure that they do not become a fire danger. Creosote is another undiscovered risk that is hiding within your chimney, and it should not be ignored.
Creosote: what exactly is it?
When you burn wood logs within your chimney, creosote is the tarry residue that is left behind inside the chimney. When you burn wood, gases are pushed up the chimney, where they combine with other particles and land on the walls, leaving behind a highly combustible compound. It is generally dark or black in color and contains a variety of compounds. There are three distinct stages of creosote, and all of them demand care before they may develop into potentially hazardous circumstances.
At this stage, the creosote is in the form of a flaky material that may be readily removed off the chimney walls by brushing it away.
Level 2: As it continues to pile up, it will eventually convert into a deposit that is thicker, similar to tar, and will require specialist equipment to remove.
Level 3: At this point, the substance has solidified and is much more difficult to remove.
What makes it so risky to do?
Creosote is hazardous for a variety of reasons, and its presence in your house or on your person can have adverse effects on either. The following is a list of the primary reasons why creosote should not be allowed to reside in your chimney.
It restricts the airflow that is experienced within your chimney. This indicates that there is a reduction in the amount of space available for the smokey air to escape. Studies have shown, and the EPA confirms this, that around seventy percent of the smoke that comes from chimneys may make its way back into a house.
It’s bad for your health to consume it. Creosote can be hazardous to one’s health if it is allowed to linger. Just a handful of them are as follows:
Eye irritation is a common problem that can result in unpleasant symptoms including a burning feeling or even a complete loss of vision.
The ashes have the potential to cause irritation to the skin if they come into contact with it.
Creosote exposure almost always results in some degree of difficulty breathing, which, if left untreated, can escalate into more serious respiratory disorders over time.
Studies have revealed that creosote is a carcinogenic substance, and that exposure to it over a prolonged period of time puts a person at risk for developing cancer.
It poses a risk of fire. A chimney fire is possible if creosote accumulation is not removed on a regular basis. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is the most common cause of fires in fireplaces and chimneys, despite the fact that they may be easily avoided.
It is a cycle that feeds upon itself. If you don’t get the creosote buildup removed, the situation will just become worse, which will actually add more gasoline to the fire.
How Might One Get Rid of It?
There are a lot of individuals in our world who are under the impression that they are able to handle every single domestic task on their own, including the unpleasant and laborious ones. Don’t make the same mistake as them. The removal of creosote must be carried out by an experienced and qualified expert if it is to be carried out without incident. Because of this, you really need to get in touch with a chimney cleaner. They will be able to determine the degree of accumulation, identify the appropriate tools for the job, and securely remove and dispose of the creosote.
Having a fireplace in your house may be a welcome amenity, but you should remember to give it routine maintenance and inspections every summer in order to make it ready for the cooler months. The solution is to get in touch with a reliable chimney sweep and have them take care of the work for you. This is the most effective method for ensuring that you may use your fireplace without risking injury and for preventing chimney fires and any other potentially hazardous side effects of creosote. All these reminders are best practiced when you are also assured of having a reliable company at your side. Contact Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today for Chimney Cleaning Paradise and repairing.