what is creosote ?
Creosote is a by-product of wood combustion that consists mainly of tar. Traces of creosote are found in smoke that rises from open flames; when the smoke travels upward and mixes with cold air and water near the top of the chimney, it solidifies and sticks to the chimney liner or, if the chimney is unlined, the brickwork itself. Creosote has 3 stages. As each stage increases, they become more hazardous and are increasingly difficult to remove from the flue.
The three stages of creosote are:
STAGE 1
The First Stage of creosote is like a flaky soot that is easy to brush away with basic chimney sweep equipment.
STAGE 2
Creosote in the second stage can be described as shiny, hard black flakes. The flakes contain hardened tar that is not easily brushed away, but it can be removed without extreme measures. The most popular method for removing creosote in the second stage is with a rotary loop.
STAGE 3
Third-stage creosote is something to be avoided. Not only is it extremely difficult to clean, but it is also an extremely concentrated fuel and looks like glazed tar running down the inside of the flue. As the creosote hardens, it often repeatedly recoated.
A hot fire can easily ignite this type of creosote, which is extremely hazardous as a chimney fire can too easily lead to a house fire because the intense flames often cause a fire on the roof or damage the flue, causing combustible parts of the home to ignite.
CREOSOTE TREATMENTS
We offer a number of different treatments to help clear creosote from your chimney.
GLAZED CREOSOTE PREVENTION BURN BAGS
Glazed creosote prevention treatment is used if your chimney has passed stage 2 but not at the point of stage 3 creosote build-up, if left untreated your chimney will eventually become unsafe to use and will be at risk of a potential chimney fire. GCP works by rising into the chimney on flue gases when being burnt. GCP targets wet and sticky tar/creosote deposits by turning it into a fine granular powder, so that it will loosen and eventually fall to the bottom of the chimney or can be removed more easily by sweeping.
7-day treatment includes 2 chimney sweeps and 2 CCTV inspections.
14-day treatment includes 3 chimney sweeps and 3 CCTV inspections.
GCT CHEMICAL TREATMENT
Glazed Creosote Treatment is used if your chimney is at stage 3 creosote buildup. if this has been identified do not use your appliance until treated as it is now unsafe to use and at risk of a potential chimney fire. GCT is a powder that safely and effectively modifies glazed or third-degree creosote so that it can be more easily removed by chimney sweeping. The time it takes to chemically modify third-degree creosote will depend on many variables such as type of wood, moisture content, burning habits, air flow, flue size and amount of existing build-up. In some cases, the reaction time can be fairly fast, within a week or two but in extreme circumstances can be three to four weeks and we may have to repeat the process.
