Trusted Masonry, Concrete, Brick & Stone Services in Libertyville, IL

Mechanical Chimney Cleanings are recommended when routine cleaning will not remove the creosote build up from the interior of the chimney flue. This is often seen when a wood burning fireplace is not maintained as often as necessary for the burn habits of the homeowner. This can cause a dangerous build up called Glazed Creosote on the flue walls and other areas inside the fireplace. Glaze creosote is very dangerous due to the fact that it can ignite at a really low temperature leading to a chimney fire.

A Level I inspection is a minimum requirement for your fireplace and/or appliance flue inspection. Level I fireplace & chimney inspections are recommended if your appliance or venting system has not changed. This is not recommended if appliances have been removed or added to the ventilation system or any other changes/adjustments to usage have occurred.

A Level II inspection, which includes all things covered in a Level I inspection, does delve deeper into the venting structure of your fireplace and/or appliance flue systems. Level II inspections often include a visual assist from a camera system to scan the interior of the flue system and inspect for defects such as deteriorating mortar joints and cracked flue systems. A Level II Inspection will determine if proper clearances from combustibles are met where accessible. Our Level II fireplace and chimney inspections cover the exterior chimney, as well as the interior, including but not limited to attics, basements, and crawl spaces.

Located above the firebox, your smoke chamber is what funnels the smoke and gasses from your fireplace into the lining system of your chimney. Often, these smoke chambers are constructed of brick in a step formation (corbeled) to create the transitional space. Unfortunately, when the smoke chamber is not parged smooth, it allows the smoke and gasses to cool within the smoke chamber area before it makes its way up the chimney. This causes the bi-products of combustion (creosote) to form on the walls of the smoke chamber and flue system at a greater rate. Creosote, being highly combustible, is the cause of the majority of chimney fires or high heat events we diagnose.

When you have a wood burning fireplace, the bi-product of combustion that we are most concerned about is creosote. Creosote is formed as the smoke travels through the system, cooling as it goes, creating condensation deposits that include unburned wood particles. It will appear as a black or brown residue on the walls of the chimney flue system appearing to be a tar like substance, crusty/flakey, and will become shiny as it hardens. With each fire you have in your fireplace, the deposits will continue to build, causing a glaze of creosote.