Spring is the time to think about chimney services. The weather becomes mild and you use your chimney system less. Many homeowners tend have more money during tax season for home projects. When you’re considering spring cleaning and household projects this spring, don’t forget your chimney system. After a long winter of daily use, your fireplace and chimney will need some serious cleaning to help it stay safe and to prevent stinky odors later.

Dangerous Creosote

sweep cleaning a chimneyCreosote is produced every time a fire is burned in your fireplace, insert, or stove. Other dangerous chemicals are also produced such as soot. Creosote is a sticky, flammable material because it is made of mostly tar. When it isn’t removed on a regular basis, it becomes a difficult-to-remove mass of highly dense, highly flammable material–fuel for a flue fire.

When creosote is left throughout winter, the high temperatures heat it and evaporate the water, leaving behind a hardened mass called glazed creosote. Glazed creosote cannot be removed with simple tools such as brushes and vacuums. Many homeowners try to remove glazed creosote by prying or scratching it off. This method is not effective at all, and it can also damage the liner and masonry.

Professional Glazed Creosote Removal

At Chesapeake Chimney & Co., we only use professional-grade products to remove stubborn glazed creosote, which does not damage your liner or masonry. It’s our goal to keep your system working safely and efficiently, and this means cleaning the flue of glazed creosote. If it’s not removed, it slows the airflow in your system. It also allows high temperatures to ignite it to cause a devastating fire.

Preventing Glazed Creosote

You can prevent glazed creosote buildup by calling our professionals today. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA) both recommend to get your chimney system professionally serviced regularly. Your chimney needs routine sweeps and inspections to keep it in proper and safe working condition. Other ways to prevent creosote buildup include:

  • Burning only properly seasoned firewood.
  • Use the fireplace properly, including the damper.
  • Only hire professionals to insure the flue is properly sized for your fireplace

Call and schedule services with Chesapeake Chimney & Co so that you can rest assured knowing your chimney is safe this winter. You also don’t have to worry about a leaky system this spring, or a stinky chimney this summer. Leaving the creosote and soot in your system will only create smoky and unwelcome odors as summer humidity saturates your system. Let us service your system today, call 410-535-0052 or schedule online now!