Tag Archives: tar glaze

CREOSOTE: YOUR CHIMNEY’S UNWELCOME GUEST

If you have a chimney system, you’ve undoubtedly heard about creosote. Creosote is not ideal for a variety of reasons, including the fact it is highly flammable if it gathers in large volume inside the cozy confines of your chimney system. 

Unfortunately, creosote doesn’t just go away on its own. 

In fact, it accumulates if it is not removed. While a little bit of creosote is both normal and okay, substantial creosote and tar glaze buildup (like the amount I noted during a recent home inspection in Friday Harbor) should be evaluated and cleaned by a qualified chimney sweep. 

If you have questions or comments about heating issues or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

DOES YOUR WOOD STOVE NEED A CREOSOTE ANTIDOTE?

If you’re Dick Van Dyke as Bert in Mary Poppins, you might view this as job security. For the rest of us, it’s a hassle that needs to be cleaned up.

To what am I referring? 

A whole lot of creosote and tar glaze I noted at a wood stove flue pipe during a recent home inspection in Sedro-Woolley. I also pointed out the lack of a rain cap over the open flue pipe. As a result of my review, I recommended further evaluation and cleaning of the wood burning stove and flue by a qualified chimney sweep. 

“Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee…”

Do you have questions or comments about home inspections in general? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).