Learned today that 90% of chimney fires happen because of creosote buildup from burning unseasoned wood

Was reading through some NFPA stats last night while waiting on a job. Never really thought about how big of a deal the moisture content in firewood actually is. Guy I work with always tells customers to season their wood for at least 6 months but I figured it was just a suggestion. Turns out wet wood makes creosote way faster. Anyone else run into homeowners who swear by burning green lumber?

2 comments

2 Comments

white.alex1mo ago

My buddy Mike tried drying his firewood in his garage one winter. Said it was bone dry after two weeks. His chimney sweep found six inches of creosote in his flue and charged him triple for the cleaning. He burns kiln-dried now if you can believe it.

sean_park81mo ago

Burning green lumber" - man I had a neighbor last winter who was PROUD he was burning wood he cut down that SAME WEEK. Said it saved him money not having to store it. I didn't have the heart to tell him he was basically just making chimney tar while paying extra for a cleaning later.

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