17
“Creosote and Soot - Formation and
Need for Removal”
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING OF
THE CHIMNEY:
The need for chimney maintenance depends on the kind of
appliance and how it is operated. Gas and oil-burning appliances
need very little, but wood-burning appliances may need a great
deal of chimney maintenance.
How you burn wood in your stove or fireplace directly affects the
formation of creosote. Use more dry kindling and paper first to
warm up the chimney system to a temperature between 350 to 500
F. Burn hot, bright fires and fire each load hot. It is important to
load your appliance properly and to avoid smoldering fires. Fast,
effective start-ups are important, as is the moisture content of the
wood being burned. If your wood is not completely seasoned, split
your wood in smaller pieces instead of larger ones. Ideally, the
moisture content of your firewood should be between 18 to 22%.
A good investment in assisting you in monitoring your system is
a surface thermometer for single wall stove pipe or a probe
thermometer for double wall stove pipe. Ensure only low sulphur
content coal (1% or less) such as anthracite is burned.
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic
vapors, which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote.
The creosote vapors condense in the relatively cool chimney flue
of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates
on the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote creates a chimney
fire with extremely high temperatures.
With a new installation, the chimney should be inspected
frequently (every 2 wks) to determine the rate of creosote formation.
When familiar with the appliance and chimney characteristics, the
chimney should be inspected at least once every 2 months during
the heating season to determine if a creosote or soot build-up has
occurred. Check spark arrestor screens at least every 2 to 4
weeks. If the spark arrestor becomes clogged with creosote, it
should be cleaned or replaced.
If creosote or soot has accumulated, it should be removed to
reduce the risk of chimney fire. Depending on the rate of buildup
(as little as 1/16") and as you learn what is going on in the chimney,
you can adjust your cleaning schedule accordingly. Every
chimney flue and flue pipe shall be inspected annually and cleaned
as often as may be necessary to keep the chimney and flue pipe
free from dangerous accumulation of combustibles.
Chimney and flue pipe are particularly susceptible to off-seasn
condensation. The incomplete combustion of wood produces
acids which, when combined with moisture, are corrosive. During
the heating season, corrosion tends not to occur because the heat
in the system evaporates the condensation of any water vapour
that may be formed.
Warm, moist air during the summer months passes slowly
through the heating system. It makes any remaining ash or
creosote moist and soggy. Corrosion of steel occurs where these
deposits remain.
Off-season corrosion can be reduced considerably if the system
is thoroughly cleaned after the last fire of the heating season.
Where coal is burned, the system must be thorougly cleaned
within 48 hours of shutting down the system for the season and all
soot be removed from the chimney system. this should be the
Contact a professional certified chimney sweep for chimney
cleaning services and advice if you have any doubts about your
ability to clean your chimney system or if the task is too large.
If chemical cleaner is used to assist in cleaning your chimney,
make sure it is a product which is non corrosive. Selkirk will
assume no liability for damage resulting from the use of chemical
cleaners. It does not replace the need for a mechanical cleaning.
The optimal method for cleaning a chimney is by a mechanical
brushing of the chimney in conjunction with a complete evaluation
by a certified chimney sweep.
CHIMNEY FIRES AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Your CF Sentinel chimney is not intended or designed for use as
a combustion or fire chamber. It is very easy to over fire your
woodburning appliance with kindling, scrap lumber, brush or any
fast burning fuel. This can produce flames and high temperatures
all the way up the chimney,and may cause chimney damage. If
you see your appliance or the stove pipeglowing red, you are
risking chimneydamage, or a fire. The creosote may be burning
inside the chimney.
If you see flames coming out the top, you are either overfiring or
there is a chimney fire. The following materials should not be
burned in your woodburning appliance: pressure treated lumber,
rail road ties, salt water driftwood or plastic. Burning such
materials may lead to severe corrosion of the appliance and the
chimney system.
If the fire in your appliance has gotten out of control, or if you
suspect a chimney fire for any reason, follow these steps:
1. Immediately close all dampers and/or air entrance openings to
your appliance.This includes doors on Franklin type stoves. Block
off fireplace openings.
2. Alert your family to the possible danger.
3. Inspect your appliance and chimney surroundings for possible
fire. If in doubt, alert your Fire Department.
4. Do not continue to use your appliance until it and your chimney
have been thorougly inspected. Overheating can cause metal
parts to expand, buckle and crack. If you are not certain, have a
certified wood technician or certified chimney sweep disassemble
all parts so they can be inspected and replaced.
5. Do not use salt or water on the fire in your appliance. Salt is
corrosive and water will cause a dangerous steam explosion. You
might be able to control the fire by using ashes, sand or baking
soda, since baking soda is an ingredient used for dry chemical fire
extinguishers.
6. After a chimney fire, when it is safe to do so, check internal
locations such as the attic and under the roof and keep watching
for two or three hours. There may be delayed smoldering and
subsequent ignition, even if the fire inside the chimney has been
controlled.
To visually inspect the chimney, remove the Round Top by
loosening the the nut and bolt from the securing band. This will
permit the insertion of a flashlight for inspection and a properly
sized plastic chimney cleaning brush. A metal brush may scratch
the liner and lead to premature corrosion.
The Tee Plug can be removed by turning the lugs to the side. Be
sure to replace the Round Top and the Tee Plug when you are
finished inspecting and cleaning the chimney.
WARNING:
DO NOT USE FUEL MATERIALS CORROSIVE TO
THE CHIMNEY LINER SUCH AS DRIFTWOOD,
PLASTICS, CHEMICALLY TREATED WOOD, ETC.
most careful cleaning the system receives all year. Air inlets
should be closed and sealed if necessary to prevent the constant
flow of air through the system.
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