Chimney cleaning logs, also known as creosote scavenging logs, are a great way to help keep your chimney clean and safe. These logs contain chemical additives that rise through the chimney and adhere to creosote deposits, drying them into a flaky substance that is less flammable and easier to remove. Creosote builds up when green or less dry firewood is used, and chimney sweeping logs are supposed to loosen that thick layer of dirty creosote left after a wood fire. Chimney cleaning logs are marketed as an alternative to a professional chimney sweep, as they burn, the smoke from the logs loosens the creosote in the chimney; as it loosens, the creosote falls and enters the combustion chamber, where it can be easily removed.
However, these logs are not a substitute for a complete chimney sweep. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, creosote logs are effective products when used in conjunction with a professional chimney sweep. To minimize the risk of downdrafts, burn a fire with normal wood and, after the fire has been extinguished, place the chimney cleaning log over the hot embers. Leave it like this for a week or two, as the chemicals in the chimney cleaning log do their job.
If you only use the trunk 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. An experienced chimney sweep does much more than clean the chimney and chimney flue. They also inspect the chimney for things other than creosote and soot. If you want your fireplace to be safe and efficient, you also need the help of a professional chimney sweep.
Whether you use hardwood, softwood, or pressed logs, flammable creosote and tar will build up in the chimney or in the fireplace of the wood stove. This can cause a fire in the chimney. If you burn one or two fires a week, it's enough to burn a chimney cleaning log at the beginning or middle of the season. Chimney cleaning logs are a specially formulated compound that contains chemicals and other additives to help reduce creosote buildup in the chimney.
They have active minerals that help dry creosote while you enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the fire. Chimney sweeping logs advertised as an alternative to a professional chimney sweep make creosote removal easy. They 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. When it comes to professional chimney cleaning and inspection, Vertical Chimney Care is the most trusted company in Chicago and the suburbs. THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR FIREPLACE OR WOOD STOVE IN GOOD CONDITION is by using a combination of regular maintenance and cleaning with professional help.
