What is a CSIA Certified Sweep?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is a non-profit organization based in Indiana and is governed by volunteer industry professionals and technical experts across the country. The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep (CCS) credential was established over 30 years ago as a method for homeowners to measure a chimney sweep’s technical expertise. The CSIA is accredited by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education.
In order to become a CSIA certified chimney sweep, a chimney sweep has to be familiar with the Successful Chimney Sweeping Handbook, written by the CSIA to encompass all of the elements involved with chimney sweeping. A chimney sweep also has to attend training classed to know the codes and standards of the chimney industry. These codes and standards include the NFPA-211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances (National Fire Protection Association), International Residential Code (IRC). Once a chimney sweep has passed the certification test, additional Continuing Education Units are required for recertification, which occurs every 3 years. The CSIA maintains an up-to-date searchable database of certified chimney sweeps on its website www.csia.org so that the public can check to see if their chimney sweep is currently CSIA certified.
While some states mandate that a chimney sweep be certified, currently New Hampshire laws do not require this certification.
In addition to certifying chimney sweeps, the CSIA’s mission includes public and professional education with a commitment to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. The CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public and related industries through traditional and social media and it’s relationships with affiliated trades such as home inspectors, realtors, and oil heating service managers.
What is creosote?
When wood is burned, it releases gases and particulate matter. The main product of combustion are Carbon Monoxide (CO) and water. Creosote is a natural byproduct of burning wood. When a wood fire is burning there needs to be enough oxygen to have proper combustion so the wood smoke can go up and out of the chimney flue. Creosote comes from condensed wood smoke, which occurs when wood smolders—when its airflow has been reduced or restricted. This condensed wood smoke is made up of tar droplets, vapors, and other organic compounds. As the tar droplets and vapors rise up the flue, they condense as a liquid onto the inside of the chimney because the chimney flue is not warm enough to carry them up and out.
Creosote deposits are usually dark brown or black in color. They can appear watery or tar-like depending on the mixture of tar and vapors. Once inside the chimney, creosote often changes form because of pyrolysis (the chemical alteration of fuel molecules as a result of heat). What was once a tar-like appearance may change to shiny curled flakes or bubbly deposits. As more residue accumulates and is heated, the creosote may look like flaky granules or hard, rock-like deposits. If there is also soot in the chimney, the creosote may look like soft, dusty accumulations. The dry, flaky black deposits are relatively easy to ignite and can cause a significant chimney fire. The hard, shiny deposits are more difficult to ignite; however, if they do ignite, they would burn with great intensity at extremely high temperatures.
There are several variables that contribute to build up of creosote: Smoke Density, Flue Gas Temperature, and Residence Time. Smoke density refers to the amount of unburned hydrocarbons in the wood gas. Generally, the smokiest fires produce the most amount of creosote. Low air supply causes high smoke density. “Banking” a wood stove (filling the stove with wood and then reducing the air flow so that the fire “burns”/smolders all night) oftentimes results in the accumulation of creosote. Flue Gas temperature refers to the temperature of the gases entering the chimney. The flue gas temperature is influenced by the chimney type, its size and location, and by the appliance type and usage. For example, un-insulated chimneys located on exterior walls of a home are colder than those that are located on the interior walls or those that are insulated. Colder chimneys cool the smoke vapors, which results in the vapors condensing and depositing creosote on the interior of the chimney. Residence Time refers to the length of time the smoke is in the venting system/flue. If the area of the flue is too large, the flow rate of the smoke will be slow. The smoke will remain in the chimney longer, allowing it to cool, condense, and deposit creosote.
The primary reason creosote should be removed is to reduce the possibility of a chimney fire. All chimney fires are extremely dangerous. During a chimney fire, the temperature in the flue can exceed 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Flames can come out of the chimney top or travel through cracks in the chimney walls and ignite the roof or other parts of the house as well as nearby brushes and trees. The high heat of a chimney fire can damage chimney liners, crack chimney walls, and damage factory-built metal chimneys.
Why does my fireplace smoke?
There are many different reasons for smoking fireplaces or wood stoves. Each situation needs to be seen and evaluated for its own unique qualities. Most of the houses today are built very tight to save on fuel consumption and to be more efficient. However, for a heating appliance like a wood stove or fireplace, they need a tremendous amount of air in order for the fire to burn properly. If the home is airtight, then the appliance has to pull in air from another place (usually from the chimney, causing a down draft). We call this type of smoking issue a pressure problem because the inside and outside temperatures are different and there is not enough air inside the home to fuel the fire. This is very common in the newer homes being constructed in New England. One way to find out if you have a pressure problem is to tighten up everything up high in the house, such as the attic vent and any windows upstairs, and open a window down below or near the fireplace or wood stove. If this helps your appliance to work better, then you may have a pressure problem. There are different solutions for pressure problems which depend on the style of the house and the appliance installation. If you suspect a pressure problem in your home, call us for a complete evaluation of your system.
Can I install a wood stove into my pre-fabricated fireplace?
The simple answer is no. This has been an on-going debate between manufacturers of wood stoves and manufacturers of pre-fabricated fireplaces for as long as I can remember. The chimney system in a pre-fabricated fireplace is not tested for temperatures that are necessary for a wood stove installation. The highest temperature rating for a pre-fabricated fireplace is 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. A properly installed wood stove requires a venting system that is tested for 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Lining systems for pre-fabricated fireplaces are a hotly debated topic. The manufacturers of the lining systems say they can be installed into a pre-fabricated chimney while the manufacturers of the pre-fabricated fireplaces say their systems have not been tested for this use. Once you change a pre-fabricated fireplace, the warranty becomes void and may possibly not be covered under your homeowner’s insurance should something bad happen. Therefore, we at Fireside Sweeps recommend that you do not install a wood stove into a pre-fabricated fireplace.
Can I install a pellet stove into my pre-fabricated fireplace?
If you want to install a pellet stove into a pre-fabricated fireplace, the fireplace will need to be modified in order for the pellet stove to operate properly. Modifying the fireplace may void the manufacturer’s warranty of the unit and may not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. However, the pre-fabricated fireplace manufacturers are saying it is possible to install a pellet stove into a pre-fabricated fireplace. Our advice would be to contact the manufacturer of your fireplace and get it in writing from them their authorization that a pellet stove can be installed into their unit and still function properly.
What is this white stuff on my chimney?
Contrary to what most people think, this white stuff is not mold. It is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is the white, powdery scum that can appear on masonry walls after construction, but it can also be brown, green, or yellow. The color depends on the type of salts used in brick and/or mortar. Efflorescence forms when there is enough moisture in the chimney wall to render the salts into a soluble solution. The soluble salts migrate through to the surface of the wall where the moisture then evaporates, leaving the salts to crystallize and cause efflorescence. To solve this problem, we must wire brush and remove as much of the efflorescence that we can. We then apply Chimney Saver to the entire chimney. Chimney Saver is the permeable solution that is sprayed onto the chimney which allows the moisture inside the chimney to escape and prevents more moisture from getting into the chimney. Efflorescence is mainly an aesthetics issue; however, it may also be an indication that your home has a moisture problem (such as groundwater problems) that could cause mold and potentially structure damage.
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