A darn good job you do of it for sure. David Ferrin Life is what happens after you've already made other plans. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Boyce, Ray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 4:40 PM Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Fireplace Safety: Avoiding the Dangers ofCreosote Buildup
> 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. 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