PTP Insurance Agents of Naperville, IL, an independent insurance agency

Use Care Burning Debris In Fireplaces As cleanup continues from ice storms, homeowners might be tempted to turn their fallen trees and branches into firewood. Certain safety considerations should be observed before using this "free fuel" in woodstoves and fireplaces. The Creosote Problem Volatile gases and vapors are formed when debris is burned in a stove or fireplace. As these gases are carried up the chimney or smokestack, some will condense as acidic water onto the cooler surfaces inside the chimney, eventually creating an oily black residue called creosote. Creosote is combustible and may cause chimney fires if it builds up. Chimney fires can cause structural damage to the chimney or ignite nearby combustible materials. Pine species tend to have a higher resin content that can accelerate creosote buildup. A smoldering, low-temperature fire will produce more creosote than a roaring, high-temperature fire because the hotter fire burns more of the volatile gases. Pine should not be used in most wood burning devices. Green Wood Homeowners also should not burn recently cut wood, known as green wood. Because of its higher moisture content, green wood will deposit more creosote than wood dried for at least six months. Burning wet wood likewise boosts creosote production. Homeowners can minimize creosote problems by: Burning only seasoned hardwood; Making small hot fires instead of large smoldering fires; and Cleaning the chimney and smokestacks frequently. Care also should be exercised when burning wood scraps. Although wood scraps can be very good fuel for stoves or fireplaces, some wood is treated with chemicals that can be toxic when burned. Never burn wood scraps that have been treated with wood preservatives or inorganic salts. Treated fence posts should not be burned for the same reason. Return to Articles Home Page.

People to People Insurance Services Inc. - 1240 Iroquois, Naperville, IL, DuPage County - Serving Chicagoland (630) 355-2355

Naperville Illinois personal and commercial independent insurance agents, PTP Insurance Agency, serves clients throughout the metropolitan Chicagoland area which includes Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County and Will County; including, but not limited to, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Aurora, Batavia, Barrington, Berwyn, Bedford Park, Bloomingdale, Brookfield, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Countryside, Darien, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elmhurst Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hickory Hills, Hoffman Estates, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lemont, Lisle, Lockport, Lombard, Lyons, Mokena, Montgomery, Oak Brook, Oswego, Romeoville, St Charles, Schaumburg, Shorewood, Sycamore, Warrenville,West Chicago, Westmont, Woodridge and Yorkville.