Sparkling Flues | Female Chimney Sweep Manchester
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​Creosote is a highly flammable tar-like substance that can easily start a chimney fire if it is not removed!

Creosote Removal

Creosote and soot build-up in your chimney can be a fire hazard if your flue is not properly cleaned and maintained. 
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Creosote is a natural by-product of burning wood and its associated products; it can be defined as a combustible deposit which originates from condensed wood smoke. It includes tar vapours and other organic compounds. Tar droplets make up a major component of the smoke from smouldering wood.  These compounds are always present when the combustion process of wood is incomplete.
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There are three stages or degrees of creosote.

Stage 1 creosote is a fine black powder or dust.
Stage 2 creosote becomes a more rock-like formation.
Stage 3 creosote is like tar. It is sticky and viscous before hardening and having a glaze-like appearance. It is a highly concentrated fuel which hardens and can form a thick layer. As such it can easily catch fire resulting in a potentially devastating chimney fire. 

All three stages of creosote are combustible, but the longer you wait to have it cleaned, the greater your chance of a chimney fire.

Third degree creosote cannot be removed by conventional sweeping using a brush. It must be chemically treated.

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Third degree creosote is usually the result of one or more of the following:
  • Incomplete combustion
  • The chimney is not insulated or is cold 
  • Burning unseasoned wood 
  • Insufficient ventilation for the appliance
  • An oversized flue for the appliance

How do we treat this?

We use a treatment called Cre-Away to deal with the third degree creosote.

Cre-Away is a four-component powder that safely and effectively modifies glazed or third-degree creosote.​

Once applied the Cre-Away will  react with the creosote and chemically modify it, changing it to a substance that can more easily be removed.

So how does this treatment work?

First, a reactive agent neutralizes the slightly acidic creosote making it less corrosive to metal components and less flammable.
Second, a dehydrator absorbs the oils and moisture contained in some forms of creosote. A combustion inhibitor helps to reduce the chance of a chimney fire.
Finally, a magnesium catalyst helps break down the third degree creosote when the flue is heated during normal use.

The net effect is that the creosote is converted to a more brittle state that has different expansion and contraction rates than the flue to which it is attached, as a result of the heating and cooling cycles it becomes loose and begins to detach from the flue at which point and can be removed.

Services

Chimney Sweeping
Service and Maintenance
New Homeowner Safety Inspection Report
Commercial and Landlord Safety Inspection Report

Bird Nest Removal
Camera Inspections
​Creosote Removal

Contact Us

Enquiry Form
enquiries@sparklingflues.co.uk​
​0161 327 0103
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​© Living Innovations Ltd t/a Sparkling Flues 2020
  • Welcome
  • Services
    • Chimney Sweeping
    • Service and Maintenance
    • Camera Inspection
    • Commercial and Landlord Safety Inspection Report
    • New Homeowner Safety Inspection Report
    • Bird Nest Removal
    • Creosote/Tar Removal
    • Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Accreditations
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Covid-19 Policy
  • Advice and more...
    • General Safety Information
    • What Fuel to Burn
    • Burnright Campaign
    • Ventilation
    • Chimney Fires
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Landlord and Tenant
    • Industry Standard
  • FAQ's
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Customers Comments
  • Enquiry Form