Understanding and Preventing Chimney Fires

Most reported chimney fires are started by creosote that ignites in the flue, and this happens more often than most people realize.

Mercer County Chimney Services of Hamilton, NJ, would like to share some helpful information about creosote and chimney fires and give you some tips on preventing a disaster.

What is creosote?

Creosote starts as smoke moving up the chimney. Inside the flue, it condenses into the oily, acidic substance we call creosote.

As little as 1/8 inch of creosote can start a chimney fire, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Some fires are big, but others are small and quick, extinguishing before anyone in the house even knows they’re happening.

But even a “little” chimney fire can start a cycle of damage to the chimney liner, masonry, and other parts of the system.

Prevent creosote to prevent chimney fires

You can’t keep creosote from forming in your chimney flue if you use a wood-burning fireplace, but you can significantly reduce its amount. Doing so will significantly reduce the likelihood of both major and minor chimney fires. Here are five tips.

Dry firewood

Burn only dry, seasoned firewood, which produces less smoke than damp, unseasoned wood. In addition, oak, hickory, maple, and other hardwoods tend to be less smoky than softwoods like juniper, fir, and pine.

Plenty of air

Make sure your flue is unobstructed and that your damper is fully open when starting a fire. This will allow for the necessary air that causes wood to burn efficiently and with less smoke.

Heat of the burn

Within the flue, temperatures should range from 600 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal burning and minimal smoke production. A probe thermometer will allow you to gauge this.

Burn only firewood

Never burn furniture pieces, wallboard, treated wood, plastics, metals, fabrics, or anything other than actual firewood in your fireplace. These items create huge amounts of smoke, and they also produce dangerous toxins that you don’t want to breathe.

Proper fire-starting

Stack your logs with some space between them, then add kindling and tinder to the top or the bottom of the stack. This is the natural way to start a fire. The unnatural way is with lighter fluid, kerosene, and other accelerants, which could cause flare-ups and make the fire way too hot.

Signs of a chimney fire

Let’s look at the signs of an active chimney fire and signs that there has been one.

Active chimney fire signs

• Tapping or clicking sounds coming from the fireplace
• Large amounts of dense smoke from either end of the chimney
• A rumbling sound, like from a train

These signs tell you that you should call 911 and evacuate the house. Do not use your fireplace again until it has been properly inspected.

Previous chimney fire signs

A licensed chimney inspection may discover these signs that a chimney fire has taken place:

• Excess puffy creosote in the flue
• Chimney cap that’s distorted or discolored
• Warping of metal chimney components
• Broken, cracked or missing clay liner tiles
• Flakes of creosote on the roof or ground near the chimney
• Masonry cracking
• Black stains around the top of the chimney

The importance of chimney sweeping and inspections

Along with implementing the tips given here, you should schedule annual chimney sweeping and inspections. Professional chimney technicians use specialized tools to remove creosote and debris from the flue. Licensed chimney inspectors can determine creosote levels in a flue and spot signs of past fires. They can also alert you to a wide range of damage and malfunction issues.

If it’s time to have your New Jersey chimney cleaned and inspected, the experts at Mercer County Chimney Services are ready to help. Call us, or reach out with our handy contact form.