A homeowner in Tacoma argued with me about creosote logs, said they're a full replacement for a sweep

I was finishing a job last Thursday when the customer showed me a box of those chemical creosote logs. He said his brother-in-law told him using one every month means he never needs a professional cleaning. I explained that while they can help reduce some glaze, they don't remove the existing buildup or check for blockages and cracks. My view is they're a supplement, not a replacement. But he was really convinced it saved him $250 a year. Has anyone else run into this belief, and how do you handle that talk?

3 comments

3 Comments

ramirez.betty1mo ago

My uncle tried that log trick for two seasons straight. When his flue finally got swept, the guy pulled out a solid chunk of creosote the size of a football. How do you even explain the risk of a chimney fire to someone who thinks they've found a magic fix?

seth6831mo ago

Did you ask him what his plan is for when the chimney inevitably needs a real cleaning?

alexc9323d ago

And what's his backup plan when that log trick fails and his house fills with smoke?