What Causes Chimney Soot Damage?

As a homeowner, extensive damages are the last thing that you want to think about. However, they should be on your mind! One of the biggest things that you can do to help avoid these damages revolves around understanding how they can come about in the first place. This way, you can enact preventative measures that decrease your chances of having to suffer the consequences! This is especially the case with chimney soot damage, which can take a lot to amend. So, what causes chimney soot damage? We break it down for you below!

Slow-Burning Wood

Did you know that the speed at which your wood burns can affect the way chimney soot forms? Wood-burning chimneys and stoves all produce a substance called creosote, which comes in stages and plays a big role in the development of chimney soot. The longer that your wood burns throughout the fireplace, the longer the smoke will linger in the chimney and lead to creosote developing. Look for dried wood at the store; this wood tends to burn faster than most other types.

Improper Maintenance

Remember how we said that creosote comes in stages? The first stage involves small gray flakes left over after burning wood. It is by far the easiest to get out, only requiring a few standard household cleaning products to remove. If you leave these flakes unattended, however, they start to harden, leading to the second stage of creosote. This substance has tar-like qualities and will require professional help to remove fully. The best way to prevent this is to clean your chimney when you can!

Water Intruding From Outside

The very foundation of a chimney could be causing it problems if it’s not set up correctly! If you suspect that water may be running in from your chimney, the best way to check for it is to take a look outside. Examine the foundation of your chimney. Do you notice any cracks or mold growth on the masonry? It could be a sign that water is leaking in from the outside! The quicker you deal with this problem, the less likely it is that you’ll have to deal with chimney soot later. A masonry contractor should be able to get the necessary repairs done.

Chimney Soot Restoration at Soil-Away

Chimney soot can be a frustrating problem to deal with. What if there were a way that we could revert it back to its working order without any signs of damage? With Soil-Away, we can do just that for chimney soot damage! We’re the experts at cleaning up a home’s most devastating messes, and you’ll never even know it happened by the time we’re done with our work. To repair any damages caused by chimney soot, click here to contact us directly!