It is important that homeowners understand why chimney sweeping is an essential component in the burning of carbon-based fuels like coal and firewood. After all, both of these materials release carbon and soot during combustion which pass through the flue of a chimney in order to be removed from a property. Overtime, they will cool and condense on the walls of the flue and create a thick, tar-like substance known as creosote which is both dangerous and difficult to detect without regular maintenance. Read on as we go over everything there is to know about it…

The Different Types of Creosote

Many people are actually unaware that creosote can be separated into three different categories based on the amount of build-up that has occurred within a chimney flue. For example, 1^st degree creosote is the most desirable because it is soot-like and therefore very easy to remove. It is produced when the heat of a fire warms up the flue and is thin enough to ensure that a fire receives regular oxygen. When the airflow that a chimney is receiving is reduced, it provides the perfect condition for 2^nd degree creosote to form; this has the texture of hardened tar and is much more difficult to brush away. Finally, thick, tar-like deposits are evidence of 3^rd degree creosote and this builds-up when old creosote is reheated and then hardens repeatedly without being removed.

The Dangers of Creosote

As the thickest variety, 3^rd degree creosote is considered the most dangerous because it is incredibly difficult to remove. In addition to this, the deposits are highly flammable which means that a chimney with this type of creosote build-up is at constant risk of a fatal chimney fire. Furthermore, creosote also creates what is known as a ‘compounding’ problem and this prevents sufficient airflow from entering and existing a property via the flue. As a result, dangerous gases like carbon monoxide can build-up inside the home and put homeowners at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning whilst also reducing the efficiency of a fire drastically.

Here at Pearson Fuels, we want our customers to burn their fuel safely without having to contend with the problems that can arise from a build-up of creosote. By using our blogging platform, our experts are able to provide high-quality, reliable information directly to the consumer. To find out more information about chimney sweeping, get in contact with the best coal merchants on the market and speak to a member of the Pearson Fuels team today!