FAQs

Wood is never burned completely. The smoke contains some unburned gases and a vapor-like fog of unburned tar-like liquids. These condense along the sides of the stove pipes or chimney and become a flammable, crusty buildup called creosote. For more information about how a professional chimney sweep in Portland, OR can remove this substance, contact Chimney Sweep Specialist today.

We know from our experience that it would help if you cleaned your chimney regularly to remove creosote from the lining of the flue. Creosote is a highly flammable residue that builds up over time from combustion in your chimney. Chimneys should be cleaned when any noticeable creosote buildup occurs. The Chimney Safety Institute of America claims that as little as 1/4" of buildup is enough to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading elsewhere. Cleaning your chimney also reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. Creosote is black or brown in appearance, and it can be crusty and flaky, tar-like, drippy and sticky, or shiny and hardened. Call today to learn how our chimney cleaning service in Portland, OR can assist you.

It is recommended your chimney be cleaned frequently. The National Fire Protection Association recommends cleaning and inspecting chimneys at least once a year, more if you use your fireplace regularly. This applies to both wood-burning and gas fireplaces! Even if you do not use your fireplace, your chimney should still be cleaned and inspected because animals may build nests in the flue. For more information, call our chimney cleaning company in Portland, OR today.

A chimney or firebox left unrepaired can lead to the following dangers.

• Releasing dangerous, toxic, and unhealthy gases into your home
• Becoming a fire hazard, allowing flames and sparks to escape and come in contact with potentially combustible materials in your home
• Allowing loose masonry materials to fall and potentially cause damage to your property or people
• Increasing costs dramatically by being left unfixed

Call our chimney sweep in Portland, OR today to improve safety and save money right away!

Creosote presents at least three significant problems with the wood burner. First, creosote is corrosive to many surfaces, including steel and mortar, which are common chimney materials. Second, creosote buildup acts as an insulating material and reduces the efficiency of your wood stove or fireplace. Finally, and most critically, creosote is highly flammable and presents a potential fire hazard. For more information about the severity of creosote buildups, call our chimney cleaning service in Portland, OR.

Many factors affect the rate and amount of creosote buildup, including the following.

• The type of wood burned
• The amount of moisture in the wood
• The size of the fire burned
• The efficiency of the stove
• The location of the flue
• The type of stove or fireplace
• The amount of use the stove or fireplace gets

Contact our chimney cleaning company in Portland, OR today to learn more.

Because of the various factors involved, there isn’t a general answer appropriate to most cases. We've found that some locations and certain states have laws requiring yearly cleaning, but each wood-burning unit is different. If you notice back-drafting, smoking, or the loss of heat, you certainly should check for creosote buildup immediately. Periodic checking is essential for safe, efficient wood burning. A good rule of thumb we recommend is that, if it's your primary source of heat, you need to have your fireplace or woodstove cleaned and inspected yearly. According to Forbes, if you estimate that you use your fireplace four or more times per week, that's also a good indicator that your chimney will need to be cleaned each winter. As the chimney cleaning company Portland, OR residents can count on, we'd be happy to help you schedule a cleaning.

To check for creosote buildup, carefully open the damper and, using a flashlight, look up the flue for signs of a buildup along the walls. We recommend wearing goggles for this. According to our team, if the buildup is 1/4" or more, a cleaning is needed. It only takes approximately that much buildup to become a fire hazard, so contact our chimney cleaning service in Portland, OR if that's the case.

We understand fireplaces and chimneys and how to clean them. We will scrub your fireplace from floor to roof using tools specifically designed for that purpose. We are professionally trained and fully licensed and insured. We guarantee a mess-proof job and, finally, we are a local business! Our roots are here in the community, and we take pride in this work. If your chimney needs cleaning, then we act like a good neighbor and tell you so. If we think your installation is unsafe, we think you'd like to know that too! Call our chimney sweep in Portland, OR today and have peace of mind knowing your family and home are safe this winter.

We really don't know, but, according to folklore, they do. We can, however, prevent bad luck by helping you schedule a chimney cleaning service in Portland, OR. It never hurts to avoid the bad luck and misfortune of a chimney fire!