Hi Lee I keep an eye out, so to speak for articles I hope of interest. But it is getting increasingly more difficult to find topics we have not already covered in Our Files Area. Thank you for your comments they are appreciated. Regards Ray
________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lee A. Stone Sent: Wednesday, 1 October 2008 4:08 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Fireplace Safety: Avoiding the Dangers ofCreosote Buildup great posting Ray about chimneys. I would be interested to read here how those burning wood are taking care of their chimneys. I do not have a wood stove or fireplace in this house but have burned wood many times in a previous home. due to the highth of the chimney we had a relative or hired someone to clean the chimney. I found it interesting when we hired a professional chimney sweep that he did it all from inside and made no mess at all but he sure did get a lot of crap out of that old brick chimney. again thanks for the very interesting post Ray. Lee On Wed, Oct 01, 2008 at 06:53:51PM +1000, Ray Boyce wrote: > Fuel oil and natural gas prices have soared, and with them so has the > popularity of alternative fuels. Wood stove, pellet stove and fireplace use > are all on the rise, and with each of these comes a hidden danger that every > dedicated "wood burner" needs to keep in mind: Burning wood creates > creosote, and if left untreated creosote can cause fires. > > The "Skinny" on Creosote > > When wood fire burns, it releases unburned gases. These unburned gases > condensate on the walls of the chimney liner or flue tile and form a tarry > or glazed substance called creosote. Creosote becomes dangerous when allowed > to accumulate in the chimney, where it becomes a fuel source for a potential > chimney fire. Creosote buildup can be minimized by burning small hot fires > and using dry, well seasoned wood, but the reality is the formation of > creosote from burning wood cannot be avoided. > > The Dangers of Creosote Buildup > > A chimney fire will occur when built-up creosote deposits are ignited by > extreme heat from the fireplace. For this to occur, the creosote must be > subjected to high temperatures-temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees or > so. Although 1,000-plus degrees may seem a bit extreme, the following quote > from the March 1990 Home & Hearth Magazine puts this all in good > perspective: > > "Creosote buildup, by itself or in combination with other factors, was > involved in 92 percent of chimney fires reported in a study commissioned by > the Wood Heating Alliance. A buildup of as little as 1/8 to 1/4 inch of > creosote is sufficient to create a fire hazard." > > First Key to Safety is Cleaning > > Eventually, every chimney requires a manual cleaning to remove creosote > build-up. Since the formation of creosote is an unavoidable byproduct of > burning wood, cleaning your chimney becomes an unavoidable task as well. > Cleaning a chimney on your own is a dirty job and is somewhat difficult to > do. The proper brushes and techniques should be used to ensure that the > sides of the chimney are left clean from creosote. And, more importantly, > proper inspection should be done at every cleaning to ensure there are no > structural defects, such as cracks or missing mortar joints in the chimney > flue that could lead to eventual safety problems. For these reasons it is > highly recommended that the task of cleaning be left to a CSIA Certified > professional chimney sweep. The frequency for the cleanings can vary, based > on the amount of use that the fireplace receives, but should never be longer > than a year between cleanings. > > "Chemical Cleaning" is a Great Idea, Too > > Understanding that creosote can begin to reform within a few days after > cleaning, a regular method of ongoing maintenance is always recommended. To > accomplish this, chemical cleaners are a great solution. Chemical cleaners, > used during burning, will help to prevent creosote from reforming, as well > as help to reduce chimney odors. These types of cleaners can be found in > several different forms, including powders, liquid sprays, logs and sticks. > When selecting a product to use, keep in mind that the best alternative in > chemical cleaners is one that can be used on a daily basis with every burn. > My experience has been that the liquid sprays, such as ACS's Anti-Creo-Soot, > are the best choice when selecting a cleaner. They tend to be the least > expensive per application, they're extremely easy to use and, since they are > used with every burn, they are the most effective at reducing ongoing > creosote buildup. > > Burning wood, whether in a fireplace or a wood-burning appliance, offers > many advantages to the homeowner, including the lure of heating with wood > and the joy of stoking the fire. The energy savings that can be gained by > wood as an alternative fuel source have motivated many homeowners to become > "wood burners." By taking a couple of steps to keep your fireplace clean > from creosote buildup you will enjoy all of the benefits of natural wood > without the risks of fire. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > -- Your computer account is overdrawn. Please see Big Brother. Come and chat with me at #quietzone on irc.newnet.net ********************************************************************** This message and its attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information contained in it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the e-mail. Any content of this message and its attachments which does not relate to the official business of Eraring Energy must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by Eraring Energy. No warranty is made that the e-mail or attachment(s) are free from computer virus or other defect. ********************************************************************** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
