Do chimney sweep logs work? Here is a guide on this cleaning option for your chimney and fireplace.
Creosotes are known to be a real worry for most homeowners. This is especially true for situations where there’s significant buildup which increases the chances of chimney fires.
Now, lots of approaches have been developed to combat creosote problems and one of them is chimney cleaning logs.
Chimney Cleaning Log Review
So, what’s this about? Chimney logs are basically what they sound like.
These are logs designed to be combusted. Infused with chemical additives, these logs release such chemicals upon combustion which rise and settle on creosotes.
SEE: Items To Burn To Clean A Chimney
Tough creosote deposits are easily dried up, thus making them easier to clean.
This is just a summary of the functions of chimney logs. Further details will be supplied as we discuss in length this chimney cleaning provision.
Do Chimney Cleaning Logs Really Work?
To fully understand how chimney cleaning logs work, it’s important to discuss how creosotes resulted in the first place. Creosotes and soot deposits in chimneys and fireplaces are known to be the main reason why such will require cleaning.
Now, when firewood is combusted, it releases multiple byproducts including certain gases. The cooler flue lining easily condenses these gases. These condensed gases take the form of a soft and crusty substance.
With time, this turns into a thick tar-like substance that later hardens into a glazy substance.
So basically, creosote formation happens in three stages; the light and puffy state when it’s easier to clean, and the flaky but sticky stage that requires a bit more effort in cleaning.
The third stage is where it hardens and becomes difficult to clean. This is known as the glossy hard or glazy stage.
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Where Creosote Cleaning Logs Come in
Given the difficulty or challenge involved in getting rid of creosotes, chimney cleaning logs have been developed to provide quick solutions. As stated earlier, chimney cleaning logs are combustible and infused with certain creosote-loosening chemicals.
These are burned separated to release such chemicals up the chimney. The tough creosote deposits on your chimney walls are engulfed or covered by these chemicals. The chemicals aim to dry out the oily and tar-like creosote.
What results in a flaky and less-flammable substance that’s easier to clean? Before its (chimney cleaning logs) formation, it was difficult to get rid of hardened creosote deposits on chimney walls.
However, this important innovation made it possible to handle the toughest creosote buildup.
How Fast Do Chimney Cleaning Logs Act-On Creosote?
As a known remedy for tough creosote removal, chimney logs have been designed to fully complete their creosote degradation within a span of two weeks. During this time, chimney cleaning logs are burned once and the normal burning of firewood follows.
Creosote Sweeping Log Effectiveness
Just that single combustion of these chemical-infused logs does the job. All this while, there won’t be a need for interruptions as you’re able to continue using your fireplace and chimney.
You’re likely to notice creosotes falling off your chimney walls.
Signs or results are seen around your fireplace. Not all creosotes clinging to your chimney flue will loosen and fall in your fireplace. However, the few you find is a clear sign that chimney cleaning logs have done the needful.
A Drop in Chimney Cleaning Costs
A creosote-laden chimney is one that easily attracts higher cleaning costs when chimney sweeps are called for such jobs. This is due to the difficulty in getting rid of hardened creosote.
However, chimney cleaning logs easily reduce such difficulty by about 60%.
What this translates to is a situation where previously hardened creosotes have transformed into a flaky substance, thus making their removal much easier. The lesser the time spent on the job, the less costly it is.
Also, a less difficult creosote removal or cleaning job cuts down on overall costs.
Will Fireplace Cleaning Logs Solve My Chimney Issues?
Not at all! Chimney cleaning logs are only designed to make a formerly problematic situation less difficult. It’s a response to a problem that seeks to redeem or return a chimney to normal functioning and prevent fire hazards.
As a homeowner, you’ll have to play a bigger role in returning your chimney to normal functioning. This includes basic and frequent maintenance as well as combustion of certain firewood fuels only.
In a nutshell, you need to be able to reduce creosote buildup to a minimum.
Alternative Options To Creosote Burning Logs
There are about six ways to reduce the buildup of creosote in your chimney.
These include the use of dry, seasoned wood, avoiding artificial logs, building cleaning fires, and allowing sufficient air to reach such fires. What more? A little warming up of cold flue reduces condensation.
More importantly, you’ll need to maintain an annual inspection schedule.
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Use of Dry, Seasoned Wood
Dry seasoned wood is best for your chimney as it contains less moisture. High moisture content in firewood is directly tied to increased creosote buildup. Wood should be allowed to dry for a minimum of 6 months to allow for efficient burning.
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Avoiding Artificial Logs
One of the things common with artificial logs in the production of substantially higher combustion byproducts.
This includes creosote. Of course, chimney cleaning logs are exceptions to such artificial logs. Plus, chimney cleaning logs are only used occasionally to treat creosote problems.
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Building Clean Fires
One of the easiest ways to build a clean fire is by creating sufficient open spaces between logs for sufficient air circulation. It’s needless to say that air supports combustion.
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Allowing Ample Oxygen Supply
Combustion is impossible in the absence of oxygen. Only a sufficient supply of oxygen or air makes the fire burn efficiently. You’ll need to check your damper to ensure it’s opened.
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Warm-up Cold Flue
Combustion byproducts are known to easily condense on cooler chimney surfaces. Such surfaces will need to be made warmer. One of the ways to do this is by ensuring that your chimney is adequately insulated.
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Maintenance Schedule
A maintenance schedule is very key to preventing creosote buildup.
It’s important to call for yearly inspection and cleaning as well as general maintenance. Such periodic maintenance does a lot to keep a chimney in excellent condition or state.
Chimney cleaning logs have been the focus. We’ve seen the uses as well as ways through which these chemically infused logs help reduce creosote buildup. More important is the need for scheduled cleaning and maintenance.