Have you ever experienced a chimney fire? They are pretty common and more damaging than you might think. The solution lies in deep cleaning the chimneys by professionals to remove creosote buildup and soot.
The Chimney & Stone Masonry team is well-trained to perform specialized chimney cleaning using the best log cleaners and special tools and ensure double safety checks in Connecticut. Please schedule your appointment with us before the next season arrives and finish the cleaning quickly.
What are Cleaning Logs & How They Work?
The cleaning logs are called the chimney sweeping logs, which contain chemicals to loosen up the creosote buildup. Mostly, the logs are directly thrown into the fireplace and left to burn like a wood log.
Studies reveal that well-maintained chimney stoves and fireplaces improve indoor air quality. Log cleaners simplify the chimney cleaning process and remove all the buildup within a few hours. If you are looking for professional cleaning, only a log will not help.
Although a sweeping log unwinds the creosote buildup, only a professional cleaner can dispose of it, as you don’t want to risk it catching fire.
Does Chimney Cleaning Logs Work?
In residential and commercial settings, soot buildup is a common issue that is hazardous to health. Initially, the creosote is soft and easy to clean by simply brushing it off. Over time, it gets sticky and hardens into thick glaze, which is tough to remove. At this step, the cleaners take manual help from hand tools.
With more time passing, it becomes dense and will come off slowly. A cleaning log is handy for sweeping the chimney multiple times to eliminate this glaze.
Here, the log works to remove this dense debris, but only some know how to use a creosote sweeping log properly.
One pro tip is to clean the chimney and replace its liner to get rid of everything. A professional cleaner can help with multiple log cleaning sessions and replace the inner to kick start a new season with healthy effects on your family.
Is Chimney Cleaning with Log Safe?
Many people need clarification about whether the cleaning logs are toxic. The logs are safe to use for sweeping and cleaning, and they are much needed before the arrival of fall every year.
These logs are made up of chemicals that loosen up the creosote, but you can use them to burn wood fire.
After burning one, do not remove the creosote; use a broom to sweep it. It is much safer as it won’t be able to catch fire.
Moreover, the best way is to use these logs with professional sweeps. Only a professional can use them correctly, ensuring your chimney is clean and has no side effects.
How Often Should You Clean Chimney?
Every single time you use a chimney, the creosote buildup occurs. Practically, cleaning the chimney after every single use is impossible.
There are times when there is significantly less use and insufficient debris buildup. Hence, the best approach is to wait until a layer ⅛ of inch thickness appears.
As per the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a proper inspection is needed once a year. Even if you don’t use the fireplace much, it must be inspected yearly, as many animals take shelter in the chimneys in winter.
Why You Need to Hire Chimney Cleaning Services?
A chimney cleaning performed by certified and licensed individuals results well. You need to hire cleaning services to prevent any blockage in the chimney that can be very dangerous for safety and health reasons.
The experts in this industry work by operating the following tasks:
- Remove highly combustible creosote usually built up in the hood by burning wood.
- To ensure proper functioning, evacuate the debris accumulated on the shelf, baffle, combustor, and offset.
- Inspect the chimney’s condition, any cracks, and the repairs needed.
- Remove bird nests or leave deposits that can create a blockage from the emission flow.
- Eliminate the buildup of byproducts in coal and oil-fired systems.
Another advantage of hiring a professional company is that their process includes thorough inspection that can early diagnose and reveal potential hazards such as breaches and breaks. So, it’s always the best decision and worth it.
5 Safety Tips for Chimney Cleaning Logs
Here, we share a few tips for homeowners about what to look for when hiring someone or performing the annual cleaning at home.
1: Check chimney blockages
When cleaning the chimney, the best way is to perform an early inspection to look for the blockages. Unblock the clots and keep the damper open if you want to use a log for the chimney.
2: Follow the manufacturer’s instruction
Looking for the manufacturer’s safety precautions is always a good idea for safety and health reasons. Take help from the instructions on the packaging or the manual and keep it clean.
3:Verify compatibility
There are different logs made for various fireplace types. Make sure to check the compatibility of the log before purchasing it for your fireplace chimneys.
4: Burn a log early
Before kick-starting heating seasons, burn a log early to perform a performance test. For people using the fireplace weekly, they can increase the log spacing for daily fires.
5: Hire professional services
Hiring professional cleaners is best if you cannot use logs for cleaning purposes, making this process efficient and less time-consuming.
The Bottom Line:
By hiring chimney cleaning specialists, you can get extensive services such as cleaning the flue, damper chimney compartments and inspecting.
The annual sweeping and cleaning is helpful for individuals to provide a safe and warm environment for their families and enjoy peace of mind.
FAQ
Do chimney cleaning logs work?
If you regularly use chimneys for the fireplace or have a setting in a commercial space, keeping them clean is an absolute need. A pro can clean them annually without any damage; it is worth it for the whole winter season.
How often should you use a chimney cleaning log?
It is usually recommended to use for cleaning after approximately 60 fire sessions. Burning wood heats the creosote and helps the chemical mix adhere to it. Logs are helpful for wood-burning fireplaces.
Is there a log you can burn to clean your chimney?
The creosote sweeping logs (CSL) are made to work on this principle. They reduce the creosote buildup and reduce its deposits to approximately 50%.