Keeping your chimney clean is essential for the safety of your home. Creosote, a by-product of burning wood, can build up in the chimney and cause a fire hazard. To minimize the risk of creosote buildup, you should use a chimney sweeping log every 60 fires. However, chimney cleaning logs should never replace a professional chimney sweep and inspection. Chimney cleaning logs, also known as creosote scavenging logs, contain chemical additives that rise through the chimney and adhere to creosote deposits.
These chemicals dry creosote into a flaky substance that is less flammable and easier to remove. To use the log, place it over the hot embers after the fire has been extinguished and leave it for a week or two. This will help loosen the creosote in the chimney so it can be easily removed. In addition to using chimney sweeping logs, you should also inspect or clean your chimney at least once a year for all types of chimneys. If you regularly burn wood or charcoal in your fireplace, you should sweep the fireplace every season.
A good rule of thumb is to use logs to sweep chimneys to minimize creosote buildup only. They should never replace a professional chimney sweep. It is also important to adopt sound safety practices when using chimney cleaning logs. There may be other blockages in the chimney, such as bird nests, which can increase the risk of starting a chimney fire. If you only use the log of the chimney sweep, the chimney may look cleaner and you could scrape off some of the remaining creosote, but you won't be able to clean the entire chimney. For UK residents, the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) points out that factors such as the type of chimney, the type of fuel, the length of time the chimney has been used, the type of appliance and the moisture content of the wood will determine how often your chimney needs to be swept.
Keeping abreast of your chimney cleanliness will help prevent any unwanted problems in the future and may prove to be the most cost-effective and safe solution for your home. Chimney cleaning logs are marketed as an easy way to deal with creosote buildup. However, they should never replace a professional chimney sweep and inspection. Even if they can help loosen creosote, they cannot replace all of the benefits of having a professional sweep and inspection. By disposing of the tank, you can keep your chimney running efficiently and can reduce the chances of chimney fires. Using a chimney sweeping log regularly can work well but you should also do a professional cleaning.
Not only can a chimney sweep remove creosote from the first stage, but a professional can also clean stages two and three. To minimize the risk of downdrafts, burn a fire with normal wood and then use a log afterwards. For best results, you should use one log for every 60 fires. If you are not sure how often you use the chimney, keep a record of each fire. There could be 60 fires in two months or it could take longer.
Make a record and you can remind yourself to use one of your creosote registers when you reach 60. Because it is highly flammable and is a common cause of chimney fires, it must be cleaned every year. Using a chimney sweeping log is an easy way to deal with this sticky problem but it should never replace a professional sweep and inspection.
