TEXAS, USA — If you're looking forward to sitting by a warm fire, you may want to use one of those Creosote Sweeping Logs to clean your chimney. The commercials claim they are effective and non-toxic.
Viewers say it burns like a standard fire place log, all while reducing dangerous creosote build up. That's why many people are stocking up on the fire logs.
Still some are skeptical, though, wondering if the logs work like they claim.
THE QUESTION
Do creosote chimney sweeping logs really work?
OUR SOURCE
Russ Dimmitt, Director of Education, Chimney Safety Institute of America
THE ANSWER
Fireplace cleaning logs work to an extent, but they are not meant to replace professional fireplace cleaning. These logs just make it easier to remove creosote from your chimney.
WHAT WE FOUND
Dimmitt said creosote logs will do some work at making creosote more removable.
"What they do is loosen the creosote and can make it fall," Dimmitt said.
But it's important to understand that they are not a replacement for having a chimney professionally cleaned; It won't actually remove or stop creosote from forming.
"It's easier to sweep but can also fall and plug your chimney if there's offsets or anything like that in the chimney," Dimmitt said.
Wood stoves are the most prone to chimney fires because people typically burn more wood.
"As a consequence, it gets too hot, so they start choking down the air supply to the wood stove which produces a lot more creosote," Dimmitt added.
That's why it's important to go to the professionals, Dimmitt said.
"That does not eliminate the need to have your chimney swept by a CSI certified chimney sweep," Dimmitt said.
It's crucial to have something like this done, he said.
The National Fire Protection Association said chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be inspected at least once a year.
"A chimney fire that creosote can ignite will burn at temperatures over 2,000 degrees," Dimmitt said. "What can happen is it can cause your chimney to be damaged. In extreme cases, it can communicate to the structure. It's very important that creosote be removed on a regular basis."
OTHER HELPFUL FIREPLACE TIPS
Don't throw wrapping paper in the fireplace. What can happen is hot embers will float up to the chimney from the paper. If the chimney is not swept and cleaned, it can ignite creosote in the chimney.
Another tip, don't use your Christmas tree as firewood. They burn hot and fast and could ignite a dwelling fire.
Hanging stockings on the mantel could also ignite a fire. Depending on the size of the opening, it's best to keep them at least a foot away.
"What happens is the chimney fires tend to occur later in the season," Dimmitt said. "As people have been burning, the creosotes builds up in the flue, so we're just really getting into creosote season right now. I would definitely recommend getting a CSI certified sweep. You can find one in your area at www.csi.org, just put in your zip code, and they'll give you a list of certified folks in your area."
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