Before and after on a 3-year-old creosote log problem

Did a cleanout on a house that had been using those creosote removal logs for 3 years straight. The difference from the first year to now was scary - thick brittle glaze coating the whole flue. Told the homeowner those logs just mask the problem, they don't actually stop buildup. Anyone else seen this pattern with long-term use?

2 comments

2 Comments

simonp4013d ago

Oh MAN, this hits close to home. I remember the time I tried using one of those logs myself and thought I was being the SMARTEST homeowner alive until my chimney sweep showed me the crusty mess I'd created. That brittle glaze is a NIGHTMARE, I ended up having to use a chisel and wire brush for hours because my standard brush just bounced off like it was polished concrete. Honestly, those logs should come with a warning label that says "This just makes your problem harder to fix and way more EXPENSIVE.

the_fiona14d ago

Those creosote logs give people a false sense of security for sure. The homeowner probably thought using them every month meant they were being responsible, but really they just dried out the top layer while the gummy stuff underneath kept building up. That brittle glaze you describe is exactly what happens when you treat symptoms instead of the root cause. The logs don't actually remove the creosote, they just change its form so it's harder to spot until it's already a thick crust. Did you have to do a full mechanical cleaning or were you able to break through it with standard brushes?