Creosote Leaking Around Pipes Where They Connect Together

How Creosote Forms

• Creosote is a volatile gas formed as a byproduct of wood burning. This corrosive, highly combustible compound coats the inside of any pipe, flue system or chimney it passes through as part of rising smoke. According to Hearth.com, this coating occurs whenever wood smoke cools below 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the creosote to liquify from the rest of the smoke and congeal on passing surfaces. Over time, repeated exposure to cooling wood smoke causes creosote to build up in the interior walls of ventilation systems.

Creosote Consequences

• Creosote building up in the interior pipes and shafts of a ventilation system presents a dangerous fire hazard. This substance can burn easily, setting off a chimney or flue fire that a homeowner may not detect until the flames do significant damage to the house's interior structure. When creosote acts as the fuel for a fire, it allows the blaze to burn longer and show a higher resistance to fire-fighting techniques, according to Hearth.com. The substance also can cover cracks or crevices in a ventilation system, making it difficult for a homeowner to notice if a fire may have occurred before the current problem.

Metal Pipe Problems

• Metal flue systems, including pipes and joints, are at high risk for creosote buildup because these components have cooler surface temperatures than similar ceramic chimneys and flues. These cooler temperatures encourage creosote to form in larger amounts. Homeowners noticing creosote leaking from flue openings and pipe joints may have serious clogs in corresponding ventilation systems. These clogs can cause thick smoke to back up into homes. Smoke from wood burning carries dangerous chemicals that cause lung complications and death when inhaled in large amounts.

Flue System Maintenance

• Regular maintenance is necessary to clean chimneys and flue systems to prevent creosote buildup. This is especially important for metal ventilation systems because these components are at greater risk for buildup. Homeowners discovering significant accumulations of creosote must not attempt to clean up without professional assistance. Discontinue the use of all wood burning appliances until licensed chimney or flue cleaners can assess the affected areas and remove the noxious compound from affected pipes and air shafts. Schedule seasonal cleanings to avoid buildups in the future.