Creosote Buildup in Chimney Causes Fire Damage in New Haven Home?

3/19/2024 (Permalink)

We are leaders in fire damage restoration services in Macomb County.

Our local Northeast Macomb Township teams restore fire damage caused by heating equipment every winter in New Haven. Creosote buildup in a chimney is a potentially dangerous and common issue that can lead to fire damage. Creosote is a black, tar-like substance that forms when wood or other organic fuels are burned in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It consists of unburned wood particles, tar, and other chemicals that are released during combustion.

As hot gases and smoke rise to the chimney, they cool down and condense on the inner walls of the flue. Over time, these condensed particles accumulate and harden, forming creosote deposits. There are three main types of creosote:

Stage 1: A soft and flaky substance that is relatively easy to remove.

Stage 2: A thicker and more tar-like creosote that can be harder to clean and is more prone to ignition.

Stage 3: A hard, shiny, and extremely combustible substance that poses the greatest fire risk.

The danger of creosote buildup lies in its highly flammable nature. When the temperature inside the chimney reaches a certain point, it can ignite creosote deposits, leading to a chimney fire. These fires burn extremely hot and can cause extensive damage to the chimney structure and nearby combustibles, resulting in a house fire.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business in New Haven has fire damage, our Northeast Macomb Township team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your fire damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 586-930-5659. 

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.