Scott County’s Creosote Crisis: How the Rising Popularity of Wood-Burning Stoves is Making Professional Chimney Sweeping More Critical Than Ever

With residential wood burning increasing in Minnesota and nearly half of Minnesota households burning wood in either a heating appliance or recreational fires, with an estimated 288,000 wood-burning units such as stoves, furnaces, and boilers in the state, Scott County homeowners are facing a growing challenge that could put their families and properties at serious risk. The surge in wood-burning stove popularity is creating unprecedented levels of creosote buildup, making professional chimney sweeping services more essential than ever before.

Understanding the Creosote Threat

Creosote is a tar-like substance found almost anywhere in a wood heating system, from the top of the chimney to the stove or fireplace itself. At temperatures below 250°F creosote will condense on the surfaces of stove pipes or chimney flues. When the temperature gets below 150°F the creosote deposit will be thick, sticky and similar to tar. This dangerous substance occurs when creosote deposits on the inner surfaces of chimney tiles, flue liners, and stove pipes ignite. The process begins with the incomplete combustion of fuel in the attached appliance, usually a wood or coal stove, or open fire. Particulate from this incomplete combustion rises in the chimney and condenses on its walls, creating fuel that can support a chimney fire.

The problem is particularly acute with wood stoves. A creosote problem is more likely with wood stoves than fireplace since the exhaust gases from stoves are cooler than those from the fireplaces. As more Scott County residents turn to wood-burning stoves for heating, the risk of dangerous creosote accumulation increases dramatically.

The Growing Wood-Burning Trend in Minnesota

Several factors are driving the increased popularity of wood-burning stoves in Scott County and throughout Minnesota. Wood burning stoves are a popular option for vacation properties and smaller spaces. Some consider wood to be the most renewable resource available and choose a wood burning stove for that reason. Additionally, residents can receive up to $750 for switching to an EPA certified energy efficient wood stove or up to $1,500 for an EPA certified wood pellet stove. These incentives increase for income-qualified households to up to $3,000 for an EPA certified wood stove or $3,500 for an EPA certified pellet stove.

However, the increase is concerning because 57% of direct fine particle emissions in the state come from wood burning, highlighting the environmental and safety challenges that come with this trend.

Why Professional Sweeping is Critical

The frequency of chimney cleaning has become more critical as wood-burning increases. Some authorities recommend cleaning the chimney after every third cord of wood is burned and most recommend at least once a year. Any time you observe excessive soot and creosote, the chimney should be cleaned. After you once have cleaned the chimney, you may want to check it after 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, etc., to determine how often your chimney needs to be cleaned.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) code 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” Annual inspection with a fireplace chimney sweep is required. This is the national safety standard!

Professional chimney sweeps provide essential services that go beyond basic cleaning. In addition to cleaning your chimney, a good chimney sweep can act as a safety inspector for your installation. They are primarily to remove “creosote deposits” that accumulate on the inside of your wood-burning flue.

The Dangers of Neglecting Chimney Maintenance

The consequences of inadequate chimney maintenance can be devastating. Every year, thousands of homes go up in flames because of a chimney fire, causing millions in damage and ruining livelihoods. Chimney fires occur when a flue has accumulated an excessive amount of creosote, often due to lack of regular maintenance or the use of unseasoned (wet) firewood.

Warning signs that homeowners should watch for include reduced fireplace performance, a strong smoky or burnt smell near your fireplace, dark oily stains inside the firebox, and excessive smoke while burning wood. If you suspect creosote, it’s best to stop using your fireplace until it’s been professionally inspected and cleaned. Continuing to burn wood can ignite creosote deposits, potentially leading to a dangerous chimney fire.

Suburban Chimney Solutions: Your Scott County Partner

For Scott County residents facing these growing challenges, chimney sweeping Scott County services from Suburban Chimney Solutions provide the expertise and reliability needed to keep homes safe. This local, family-owned and operated company is focused on caring for customers. Their team relentlessly works to improve their service, products and value which is what customers deserve, servicing the Twin Cities and local surrounding areas.

Patrick, the owner and field operations manager has been in the construction and trades business since 2009. Prior to starting his own company, he gained many years of hands-on experience, perfecting his workmanship and abilities in a variety of different home services. Patrick handles all of the daily operations starting with taking all incoming phone calls, scheduling appointments, quoting new projects, and can be found out in the field day to day doing what he loves to do with a passion, helping others.

The company’s commitment to excellence is evident in their approach. With years of experience in the industry, they have established themselves as trusted experts in residential chimney work, delivering high-quality services and solutions to valued customers. Their team consists of professional and certified technicians who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of workmanship and safety, ensuring that your chimney receives the care and attention it deserves. They strive to exceed expectations by providing exceptional service, transparent communication, and reliable solutions that leave customers fully satisfied with the results.

Prevention and Best Practices

While professional cleaning is essential, homeowners can take steps to minimize creosote buildup. Burn dry, seasoned wood. Making sure your firewood is properly seasoned and stored is one of the best things you can do for your fireplace or woodstove. That means cutting or purchasing dry wood and letting freshly cut wood sit in a sheltered space where air can move through it for at least six months before use.

The most effective way to minimize creosote naturally is to burn hot, efficient fires using well-seasoned hardwood. Hotter fires help prevent condensation of flammable particles. However, even with ideal conditions, creosote can still form—so annual sweeps are essential.

Taking Action

As wood-burning stove popularity continues to rise in Scott County, the importance of professional chimney maintenance cannot be overstated. Your chimney’s temperature will inevitably drop below 250°F at some point, and creosote will form. This simply comes with the territory of using wood heat, but as long as you burn seasoned wood while maintaining proper airflow, at the end of every season you should be able to quickly and easily clean away a small amount of first degree creosote.

However, professional intervention is necessary to ensure complete safety and proper maintenance. Don’t wait until warning signs appear – schedule regular professional chimney sweeping to protect your family and your investment. The growing creosote concern in Scott County makes professional chimney services not just recommended, but essential for every wood-burning household.