Update: After seeing a dozen homes in Charlotte with the same creosote buildup pattern, I realized most folks think a cold chimney draft is good, but it actually accelerates condensation and makes the glazed stuff way harder to remove.

I confirmed it by checking the flue temps with my probe before and after a cleaning and seeing the difference a proper damper setting makes, so what's the biggest draft-related issue you've had to explain to a customer?

3 comments

3 Comments

lopez.jennifer2mo ago

Used to think cold drafts were fine, but now I know they cause that nasty glazed creosote.

leep892mo ago

My own chimney taught me that lesson the hard, smoky way.

viola_butler29d ago

Wait, isn't it funny how the things we think are harmless end up causing the most trouble? @lopez.jennifer I remember reading your post about cold drafts and it totally clicked for me. It's like how I used to ignore small leaks in my roof cause it's just a drip, right? But then that little drip turns into a whole mess of rot and mold. Same with chimneys, people don't realize that slow burn, low heat, and drafty flues create that sticky creosote over time. It's a pattern I see everywhere - we tolerate a little problem until it becomes a big, smoky disaster.