Dear CSL Customer:
In purchasing a Creosote Sweeping Log, you have taken a step to greatly reduce the risk of a chimney fire in your fireplace, a potential serious hazard. Each time you burn a wood fire, tar and creosote are formed and over time, this will build up on the inside of your chimney. Creosote is a highly flammable compound, which can ignite from the flames of future fires, and cause a chimney fire. The Creosote Sweeping Log contains a mixture of special minerals that are dispersed during the process of burning this product, and those minerals will coat and adhere to the creosote. A catalytic action will then start taking place, lasting up to 15 days, which will cause the creosote to become very brittle. As you use your fireplace, the heat from the fires will then cause this creosote to break away from the wall of the chimney and fall back into the fireplace, in the form of small particles. Tests have shown that the burning of a single Creosote Sweeping Log can reduce this build-up by up to 60%! Also of enormous importance, is that any remaining deposits will be much less flammable. In order for you to use this product as effectively as possible, we are listing below a serious of Questions and Answers that we hope will give you all the information you require. We thank you for making this purchase and we hope you will continue to use CSL, The creosote sweeping log as a regular chimney maintenance product.
Recommandations / Tips to know.
Non-corrosive, non-toxic, The creosote sweeping log helps you
keep your chimney cleaner when used regularly. It inhibits the rate of creosote
buildup and reacts with most chimney deposits to reduce the adhesiveness.
Removal of creosote and deposits reduces the chance of a dangerous chimney
fire.
We recommend using the Creosote Sweeping Log for wood stoves, inserts, fireplaces
and other wood-fired equipment.
If you use your fireplace frequently, we suggest that you burn a Creosote Sweeping Log at the beginning and middle of each season, for optimum results.
In case of an angled flue, it is possible that falling creosote may cause
some blockage.
We suggest that you carefully inspect the flue after using The Creosote Sweeping Log to ensure that it is free of debris.
Dont forget, The Creosote Sweeping Log will not tell you if your chimney is
blocked or has any kind of structural damage.
A professional who is able to determine its condition, should always inspect
it on a regular basis.
Q) Does CSL replace the need for regular chimney inspections?
A) No. The Creosote Sweeping Log will not tell you if your chimney is blocked
or has any kind of structural damage. A professional, who is able to determine
its condition, should always inspect it on a regular basis.
Q) How often should my chimney be inspected?
A) For cleaning, it depends on the age and condition of your fireplace. The
CSIA recommends annual inspection to check for blockage and structural damge.
To find a certified chimney sweep in your area, visit www.csia.org/csl.
Q) Is CSL as effective as using a mechanical wire brush?
A) CSL works through a catalytic action to remove it. If you still plan to
use a mechanical cleaning device, we strongly suggest that you burn a CSL
approx. 14 days prior, which will greatly improve the cleaning action, by
causing the creosote to become brittle and therefore break away easily.
Q) Will I see immediate results from CSL?
A) No. This catalytic action takes place for up to 15 days. As you continue
to use your fireplace, you may not even notice the remnants of the creosote
as they fall and mix in with the ashes. The heat from the fires will ensure
that CSL will continue to work on the buildup of dangerous deposits within
your chimney, and reduce flammability.
Q) Can I burn a fire immediately after using CSL?
A) Yes, leave any CSL remains into your firebox and simply make a wood fire upon it.
Q) Is CSL safe for a wood or air tight stove?
A) Yes! Simply ensure that you burn it alone or onto hot ambers (without any flames). You will
want to make sure the dampers are fully open until the log has completely
burned and finished smoking. Close the air intakes if you burn the CSL onot hot ambers.
Q) I noticed that CSL smokes for quite some time after the flames are
out. Is this normal?
A) Yes! This is part of the process that allows the minerals to flow up the
chimney and coat the creosote.
Q) Are the emissions from CSL safe?
A) Yes! The standard components of the log are made up of wax and sawdust,
much like a regular firelog. Tests have shown that these produce significantly
fewer emissions than even firewood. The minerals in CSL are non-toxic and
non corrosive for both nature and your fireplace!
Q) Can CSL be used in a combination wood/oil-burning furnace?
A) Yes! But make sure that you turn off the fuel heating system first or the
treatment will not be as effective. Also ensure that you put CSL in the wood
burning part of the furnace. (You can cut CSL into smaller portions if need
be to fit).
Q) Can CSL be used in a pellet stove fireplace insert?
A) NO!! you cannot use the CSL in a pellet stove. Pellet stoves are intended to produce very few smokes. However, it requires regular visual inspections.
Q) Can CSL be used in a zero clearance fireplace?
A) Yes you can use the CSL in a 'zero clearance' Fireplace. Simply follow the instruction for use.
Q) Can CSL be used in a catalytic woodstove?
A) Yes you can use the CSL in a catalytic woodstove. Specials cares to take if needed:
Q) If I burn 2 CSL logs, will I get better results?
A) If you have a large fireplace or an excessive build up of creosote (1/4
inch or more), then 2 logs will be more effective. For standard fireplaces and woodstoves,
one log is sufficient.For large open fireplaces, we suggest to use 2 CSL at the same time . Do not put 2 CSL at the same time on hot ambers. Clean your firebox from any debries and put them directly into it.
Q) I noticed some smoke coming into the room after the CSL stopped burning.
Why?
A) Although this rarely occurs, it only will happen if your chimney cools
too much after the flames have gone out, which may allow a downdraft, forcing
air back down the chimney. This can happen with any type of fire. If this
occurs, you want to get an updraft restarted so we suggest adding some newspaper
to the firebox, carefully light them and the heat should start the air flow
back up the chimney. To avoid this problem, we suggest you burn CSL on the
hot embers following a regular fire.
Q) Does CSL burn hotter than a wood or standard fire log?
A) No. The heat from a CSL log will be much the same as a fire log will produce.
Q) My CSL did not ignite when I lit the paper. Why?
A) Sometimes poor airflow can make it harder to start. If this happens, you
can use newspapers placed underneath, to start or restart the burning process. You can also put the CSL onto hot ambers (wihtout any flames). Follow the instructions for use for further explainations.
Q) Can I use CSL with my gas or propane fireplace?
A) No! There is no need for using CSL in these instances and it could be hazardous.
Q)When I checked my chimney 2 weeks after using CSL, I could still see
black sooty material.Did CSL not work?
A) Yes it worked. But CSL is designed to remove the dangerous creosote that
is the cause of chimney fires. It will not always remove loose dust that often
forms further up the chimney. That would require a mechanical cleaning that
you should consider doing when it builds up to levels that interfere with
the draft of your fireplace.
