Your fireplace is a source of comfort and adds a wonderful touch of architectural detail to your home. However, without the proper care your fireplace can be a very dangerous fire hazard. A big contributor to household fires is the build-up of creosote in your flue and chimney. It is imperative you maintain your chimney properly to clean out creosote build-up with an annual Chimney Cleaning Columbus, OH home owners use for safe operation of their fireplaces.
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What is Creosote?
Creosote is a build-up of unburned wood chips and gases that are released as your fire is burning. Creosote is created when gases are released into the flue which is much colder than the fireplace. This results in condensation which then solidifies forming creosote.
Why is Creosote Dangerous?
Creosote can cause many issues. The danger of creosote builds as it is allowed to develop. There are three stages of creosote:
1. Soot: Soot is a light particle consisting of both ash and small particles of unburned wood. The ash cannot burn however the wood particles can.
2. Creosote: Creosote is formed as tar, smoke and vapors can become trapped in your flue and chimney. It forms in a curly, flaky or bubbly coating and is highly flammable.
3. Glaze: When creosote is allowed to build up it turns into glaze which is a sticky, tarry substance. It is shiny in appearance and is a very dense substance that can burn and therefore is a high risk for chimney fires.
How do I Avoid Creosote and Glaze?
The only way to avoid creosote and the development of glaze is to have an annual Chimney Cleaning Columbus, OH home owners can arrange with a professional cleaning company. These companies have the proper tools to clear out soot and creosote before it is allowed to form into glaze. You can also ensure the wood you are burning is well-seasoned and completely dry. Many people buy wood and allow it to season for several months in a dry location in order to keep their fireplaces in tip top condition. However, even if you burn only well-seasoned wood, professional cleaning is still required.
Be sure you are keeping your fireplace safe with the annual Chimney Cleaning Columbus, OH savvy home owners use.
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