FAQS

Q:  What is creosote?

A:  Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky, tar-like, drippy and sticky, or shiny and hardened. At first, the buildup may be light and easy to remove. But with each fire you burn in your fireplace, creosote can build up, thicken, and glaze.

Q:   How does built up creosote lead to chimney fires?

A:   Naturally, creosote is corrosive and can damage the flue liner over time, but the real concern is its high flammability. All forms of creosote are highly combustible. If the temperature within the flue is right, the creosote inside could ignite and cause a chimney fire.

Q:   How much built-up creosote does it take to become a fire hazard?

A:   Just an 1/8” buildup of creosote is considered enough to cause a chimney fire.

Q:   At what temperature can creosote ignite?

A:   Creosote can ignite at temperatures as low as 451 degrees F (for context, a fire in your fireplace can burn in excess of 450 degrees F)

Q:   Aren’t chimneys capable of withstanding a little fire?

A:   No, Chimneys are meant to contain smoke, not fire.

Q:   How does a chimney fire become a full-fledged house fire?

A:   If you have a fire in your chimney, within a matter of seconds or minutes, the tile liner could expand and crack, allowing heat and fire to access the attic, nearby walls, and other combustibles in the home through the brickwork.