What is creosote?
Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky...tar-like, drippy and sticky... or shiny and hardened. All forms are highly combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities, and the internal flue temperature is not hot enough, the result could be a chimney fire.
Though the majority of chimney fires go undetected, they can cause extensive damage to your chimney. And more often than not, they also result in restricted airflow that will not allow smoke to escape the chimney but will instead release into your home.
If you suspect you've had a chimney fire, please contact a licensed chimney sweep (me) to clean and inspect your system and get it ready for the burning season.
The pictures on the left and top show a clogged chimney, and then the cleaned chimney on the bottom.
