Chimney
Creosote Removal: What Every Homeowner Should Know
February 1, 20265 min read
What Creosote Is and Why It's Dangerous
Creosote is the tar-like residue left when wood smoke condenses inside a chimney. It is highly flammable — a chimney fire can reach 2,000°F, cracking flue liners and igniting your roof or attic.
Roughly 25,000 chimney fires occur in the U.S. every year, causing over $125 million in damage.
The 3 Stages of Creosote
Stage 1 (flaky soot): easily brushed off — normal for well-burned fires.
Stage 2 (hard, tar-like): requires rotary tools; forms when fires are slow or damper is restricted.
Stage 3 (glazed, shiny): dangerous, highly flammable, chemically bonded to the flue. Requires professional chemical treatment (Cre-Away, PCR, or ACS) or mechanical grinding to remove.