Glazed Creosote Removal Near You: Comfort Class Services Tulsa & Skiatook
If the creosote in your flue is hardened or glossy, special removal tactics are required. For glazed creosote removal services near you, trust our team of experts for a job done right. We’ll ensure all hazards and buildup is removed, without damaging your chimney in the process.
Is Glazed Creosote More Dangerous Than Normal Creosote?
In short, yes. Creosote, in general, is dangerous because it’s both flammable and destructive to your chimney, but glazed creosote is the most harmful version, as it’s more likely to catch on fire, and it’s especially hard to remove.
Glazed creosote removal should always be handled by a team of experts who are trained in to do the job right. Normal chimney sweeping tactics can’t be used here – not only will they be unsuccessful, but they could increase the risk of chimney damage occurring.
Regular chimney maintenance is crucial for preventing the buildup of creosote and reducing the risk of chimney fires. This includes having your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney sweep. A chimney sweep will remove any creosote buildup, clean the chimney flue, and inspect the chimney for any damage.
How Do I Remove Glazed Creosote From My Chimney?
When air can’t easily flow through a dirty, creosote-filled chimney, smoke can’t be properly vented outside your home, which can affect indoor air quality. In addition, the combustible creosote residue that forms can make a chimney fire more likely. What you need to do is have a certified, insured technician remove the creosote, sweep the chimney flue, and clean out the smoke chamber.
When it comes to glazed creosote, though, the removal process might look a little different, as it cannot be removed with standard sweeping tools and products. Instead, the creosote must be removed using a product called Poultice Creosote Remover (PCR). This product completely breaks down and absorbs the creosote, removing its sticky properties so it can be brushed away.
No matter what’s in your chimney, our techniques to keep your home protected remain steadfast. Our technicians arrive equipped with shoe covers to prevent any dirt from being tracked into your home. We take the time to carefully lay down tarps around the work area, shielding your floors and furniture from any soot or debris that may fall during the cleaning process, and we utilize a high-powered commercial vacuum to capture all loosened creosote and soot.
We understand that having work done in your home can be disruptive. That’s why our team is committed to providing respectful and considerate service. We treat your property with the utmost care and leave your home as clean as we found it.
What Are the 3 Stages of Creosote?
You may have noticed a dark buildup inside your chimney the last time you burned a fire. It could have been in the form of hardened flakes or soot, or you may have detected a sticky, tarry material clinging to the flue liner and smoke chamber.
This is creosote, and when left alone, it can become a serious fire hazard: All it takes is 1/8″ to 1/4″ of creosote buildup to ignite and start a rapidly spreading chimney fire.
There are three stages – or levels – of creosote. Our chimney specialists can determine what type of creosote buildup exists in your chimney and remove it safely. All degrees of creosote need to be removed for your chimney to work flawlessly – here’s what you need to know about each level:
- First degree: It is typical to have some creosote in your chimney if you’re burning wood. What forms initially is a light, feathery soot that’s easily removed with a dry chimney brush. For those that book yearly inspections, this is usually what we’ll find.
- Second degree: This buildup is going to be darker, more tar-like, and a bit hardened, and is best tackled with a stiff chimney brush or a rotary loop. We typically see this with fireplaces that have glass doors or with fireplaces that haven’t been cleaned regularly.
- Third degree: This is glazed creosote, the most dangerous and stubborn of the three types, appearing as a hard and shiny substance that is adhered to the walls of your chimney flue. As stated above, specialized products must be used to remove it from your flue walls.
How Does Creosote Form in My Chimney?
Creosote forms every time you burn wood in your fireplace, so avoiding it is inevitable. That said, it’ll form more quickly when any of the following is true:
- There isn’t proper air supply in the flue, so smoke and its byproducts aren’t promptly expelled.
- The chimney is cooler than normal.
- Unseasoned (green or wet) wood is being burned.
- The firebox is overloaded with wood to get a longer burn time.
- You’re burning slower, smoldering fires.
- Trash, treated wood, plastic, paper products, etc. are being burned.
While there are commercial self-cleaning logs on the market, they’re no substitute for a thorough cleaning with a licensed, trained, and insured chimney professional. Removing creosote safely, thoroughly, and without mess or toxic chemicals is our specialty. Reach out now to get started.
How Do I Know if My Chimney Has Excess Creosote Buildup?
A couple clues that there is a buildup of creosote in your chimney include smoke billowing into your home while burning a fire and dark flakes of debris drifting down your flue.
There’s also the tar-like smell – and the odor is worse in summer’s heat. Some homeowners use commercial chimney deodorants, baking soda, or kitty litter to combat the smell, but this only masks the problem, which is not always detectable by the nose.
Don’t wait until you smell it. Having a professional thoroughly inspect your chimney each year is the safest way to keep ahead of dangerous creosote levels and have it completely, safely removed.
Creosote Removal Done Right: We’re Tulsa & Skiatook’s Trusted Chimney Experts
Is creosote a problem in your chimney? Let Comfort Class’s licensed and insured team remove it, so you can enjoy a safer fireside experience, every time. Our experts are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), led by Oklahoma’s first and only Master Certified Chimney Specialist, and we maintain membership with the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
We’ve served Skiatook and Greater Tulsa Area since 2006, which means your neighbors can vouch for our work and commitment to ultimate customer satisfaction. Call us today or schedule an inspection online.
How Can I Stay Safer When Using Gas Logs?
To minimize the risk of CO exposure, follow these safety precautions:
- Ensure proper ventilation. If using vented gas logs, keep the damper open while the fireplace is in use. For ventless gas logs, make sure there is adequate airflow in the room.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors. Place carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and common living spaces to alert you of dangerous gas levels in the room.
- Know how to respond to carbon monoxide detectors. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, leave the space immediately and call the proper emergency authorities.
- Schedule regular fireplace inspections. Have your gas fireplace, venting system, and chimney inspected annually by a professional to ensure there are no leaks or blockages.
- Never use gas logs as a primary heat source. Prolonged use can increase the risk of carbon monoxide buildup, especially in small or enclosed spaces.
- Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you or your family experience symptoms, leave the home immediately and seek medical attention.
Book Your Next Gas Log Inspection or Service With Us
Are your gas logs overdue for service, inspection, and/or repair? Keep the fire burning safely and comfortably by calling Comfort Class or by requesting an appointment right here on our website. From our family to yours, we pledge ultimate customer satisfaction.
Are there birds or other critters in your flue? That’s covered in our chimney sweeping services.