Creosote Removal in Independence, MO
Creosote is the flammable residue wood smoke leaves in a flue. Jake And Son Chimney Sweep removes all three stages of creosote in Independence, MO and 20 nearby towns.
The three stages of creosote
Creosote forms in three stages, and each needs a different method to remove.
| Stage | What it looks like | How it is removed |
|---|---|---|
| Stage one | Loose, dusty or flaky black soot | Standard chimney brushes |
| Stage two | Hard, shiny black flakes | Stiffer brushes and rotary tools |
| Stage three | A thick, tar-like glaze, sometimes dripping | Rotary chain tools or a chemical treatment that breaks it down so it can be brushed |
What causes heavy creosote
Heavy creosote comes from smoke that cools too quickly in the flue. The usual causes are burning wet or unseasoned wood, letting fires smolder with the air turned down, and a flue that is too large for the stove or insert connected to it.
Why it has to come out
Creosote burns, and enough of it will sustain a fire inside the flue. A chimney fire can crack the liner, damage the masonry and spread to the house. NFPA 211 calls for a yearly inspection, and for sweeping when the inspection finds combustible deposits.
Shiny black buildup in your flue?
Call (816) 239-8989How we remove glazed creosote
Glazed creosote is removed mechanically where the liner can take it, and chemically where it cannot.
- Inspect. We identify the stage and how much of the flue is affected.
- Choose the method. Rotary tools suit stainless liners and sound tile; chemical treatment suits fragile clay tile.
- Remove. The glaze is broken down and brushed out, with a vacuum controlling the dust.
- Check. The flue is inspected afterward, because glaze often hides cracked tiles.
How to slow creosote down
Burn dry, seasoned hardwood in small, hot fires, and never close the air supply so far that the fire smolders. If you have an insert or stove venting into a large masonry flue, a liner sized to the appliance makes the biggest difference; see chimney liner installation.
What creosote removal costs
A chimney sweep starts at $199 and covers stage one and most stage two creosote. Glazed stage three creosote takes extra time and materials and is quoted after the inspection. Starting prices are on the pricing page.
Common questions
What does creosote look like?
Creosote ranges from loose, dull black soot to hard, shiny flakes to a thick tar-like coating. Look just above the damper with a flashlight. A matte, dusty layer is stage one. Anything glossy, hard or dripping is stage two or three and needs a sweep.
How much creosote is dangerous?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America advises cleaning when soot buildup reaches one eighth of an inch, and sooner if there is any glazed creosote. Any shiny, tar-like deposit is a fire hazard regardless of thickness and should be dealt with before the fireplace is used again.
Do creosote remover sprays and powders work?
Some chemical treatments do help by drying out glazed creosote so it can be brushed off. They do not remove it from the flue, and they cannot inspect anything. Used with professional sweeping they are useful; used instead of it they leave the fuel for a chimney fire in place.
Does burning a hot fire clean out creosote?
No, and trying to is dangerous. A very hot fire in a flue coated with creosote is how chimney fires start. Hot fires of dry wood help prevent new buildup, but existing deposits have to be brushed out by a sweep.
Which wood makes the most creosote?
Wet wood of any species makes the most, because much of the fire's heat goes into boiling off water and the smoke stays cool. Freshly cut wood can be half water by weight. Properly dried hardwood such as oak, hickory or ash makes the least.