If you are typing into your search bar, do chimney cleaning logs really work, you must have heard about chimney logs. Many companies market them as an alternative to hiring chimney sweep services. Are they really a replacement? Let’s find out.
What are chimney cleaning logs?
Before we proceed, we need first to understand what they are. CSL are logs impregnated with a potent chemical mixture that can alter the adhesive composition of the creosote layer, turning it into a brittle or powdery texture.
The smoke from the logs contains active minerals and additives that flow up the flue and settle on the creosote deposit.
As you keep on lighting more fires, the active chemicals in the vapors alter the glazed nature of the deposits, making it easy for the chimney sweep to break down the stubborn creosote and clean the chimney.
To answer your question, yes, the logs work, but you shouldn’t use them as an alternative to hiring a chimney sweep.
Why are so many people attracted to the logs?
While the chimney cleaning logs have been around for a long time, their popularity recently shot as many people thought that they could replace them for chimney cleaning professionals or cleaning the chimney by themselves.
The logs are extremely easy to use. Instead of finding a ladder and going up the chimney, you only need to unwrap the log from its package and place it in a lit fireplace.
Every homeowner is out there to save as much money as possible. Chimney logs are reasonably priced, making them cheaper than hiring a cleaning contractor. They also have a long shelf life so you can buy the logs in bulk at wholesale prices (which sees you saving more money) and store them for a long time.
Since the logs are marketed as an alternative to cleaning the chimney, homeowners find them as a great solution to their bent, lengthy chimneys. If you have a fireplace with a bent column, it’s difficult to clean it as the broom can’t reach the creosote deposited along the hard to reach angles.
The smoke produced by the sweeping log easily penetrates the creosote depositions making it easy to clean the chimney.
Chimney sweeping logs can’t replace a professional chimney sweep
When you think about the adverts, the chimney cleaning logs sound like excellent alternatives to hiring a chimney cleaning professional, but this isn’t the case. If you only use the logs, you will be doing more harm to your fireplace.
Using the logs instead of having the chimney professionally cleaned is like chewing gum instead of brushing your teeth. It won’t get the work done, will it?
Even if the logs help in loosening the creosote, they can’t replace the benefits of having the chimney cleaned by a professional. In addition to the professional cleaning the chimney, he/she also inspects the chimney for any signs of damage and deterioration.
When the contractor identifies the problem early enough, you prevent severe damage from coming about, that might be too expensive to repair.
While the logs do work, their effectiveness is limited. For example, you can only use the logs on fireplaces that only burn wood. You can’t use most sweeping logs in propane fireplaces or fireplaces powered by natural gas.
The logs also can’t remove more significant obstructions in the chimney. Dead animals, bird nests, and other obstacles will still require you to hire a chimney cleaning services Columbia MD to get rid of them.
Conclusion
Chimney cleaning logs do really work, but they are limited to wood-burning fireplaces. You should never use them as an alternative to hiring a chimney cleaning professional as they aren’t.