Black Chimney Stains

Year one: You have purchased your brand new dream house and on your first family winter you keep your wood burning fireplace at work! Year ten: Your tenth winter in the house, seemingly no issues with the fireplace, but as you step outside, look up, you notice black chimney stains near the top. Cosmetic issue? Yes. Safety issue? Potentially.

Black Chimney Stains

 Black Chimney Stains – Explained

Your chimney turning black is most likely due to soot flying out of the chimney flue and landing onto the concrete chimney crown. As the soot settles here, with enough time and rain, the soot will spread further and further down the concrete chimney crown and eventually brick. This is the cause often for black stains.

Black Chimney Stains – Prevention

How can this be prevented? The question is answered when you ask why is this happening. Soot and creosote is created when a fire is not combusting perfectly. The three things that should be in sync are heat, fuel, and oxygen. The heat is obvious, as modern day man starts fire with fire. The next item is fuel. A perfectly dried and seasoned set of fire logs is recommended. When using imperfect wood or wet wood, much more smoke is created because it is hot but not hot enough to ignite at times. This smoke created will eventually build up as soot and creosote. Finally oxygen should be steadily flowing with no disruption. When could this be an issue? If your chimney liner size is too small it limits the amount of oxygen feeding the fire, therefore, creating smoke as all three aspects are not in perfect sync.

Coast to Coast Masonry, Local Chicago Chimney Waterproofing Experts

At Coast to Coast Masonry Group (CTC), we repair, restore, protect, and preserve masonry including brick, stone, or even a chimney crown. Whether it is a necessary chimney rebuild, a broken glass block window, or a stainless steel chimney liner installation our expert masons are here to help. We use the latest masonry technology techniques to restore brick and protect your home.

We at CTC Masonry are the complete solution to your masonry needs and making your chimney last longer. We highly value our clients and seek to gain their confidence by offering the highest level of customized chimney tuckpointing services and masonry products at a competitive price.

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