How to Clean Creosote from a Fireplace | Ask This Old House

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In this video, This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner remove stubborn creosote from a brick fireplace.
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Fireplaces offer a lot of charm and utility, but they can be dangerous and an eyesore when they’re covered in creosote. Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner solve creosote issues with a simple process.
Creosote is a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, and it’s common in fireplaces. If the fires aren’t hot enough or the wood is wet, creosote can build upon the sides of chimneys and fireplaces. A little bit is normal, particularly the sooty, flaky stuff. However, if it’s shiny and oily, it can be very dangerous and cause a chimney fire.
When a homeowner realized that her best efforts cleaning her own fireplace weren’t working, she called mason Mark McCullough for help.
Where to find it?
Mark recommends wearing eye protection [homedepot.sjv.io/eKBrvD], gloves [homedepot.sjv.io/3eO9PX], a respirator mask [homedepot.sjv.io/B0AzXx] and opening the windows whenever disturbing creosote.
Results may vary depending on the amount and age of creosote buildup.
To get started use a metal putty knife [homedepot.sjv.io/zNqeNe] to chip away as much of the stage 2 creosote as possible. Stage 2 creosote can be identified by its flaky texture.
Next use a handheld grinder with a wire wheel brush [homedepot.sjv.io/xkb29d] and rust stripper attachments to continue to remove Stage 2 as well as Stage 3. Mark advises to start with the wire wheel brush to take off the more stubborn wax-like build up, which is Stage 3.
To remove the remaining creosote, Mark recommends saturating the brick with water
using a scrub brush [homedepot.sjv.io/zNqeNe]. Apply brick and stone cleaner [homedepot.sjv.io/9gQMGj] of your choice. (Follow product instructions for application). Rinse the treat area with scrub brush and repeat until satisfied with the results.
All supplies are available at your local home store.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Materials:
Brick and stone cleaner [homedepot.sjv.io/9gQMGj]
Tools:
Respirator mask [homedepot.sjv.io/B0AzXx]
Safety glasses [homedepot.sjv.io/eKBrvD]
Gloves [homedepot.sjv.io/3eO9PX]
Putty knife [homedepot.sjv.io/y2LeRv]
Grinder with a wire wheel [homedepot.sjv.io/xkb29d]
Drill with an abrasive blade [homedepot.sjv.io/jr2nWv]
Wet/dry vac with HEPA filter [homedepot.sjv.io/Gmq0jr]
Stiff-bristled brush [homedepot.sjv.io/zNqeNe]
Bucket [homedepot.sjv.io/WqK6qG]
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/st...
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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Clean Creosote from a Fireplace | Ask This Old House
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21 окт 2023

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Комментарии : 104

@glen511 8 месяцев назад

Mark is covered in it ! Nice job

@mtwain1674 8 месяцев назад

This is a great video. I shared it with my wife so she has an easier time with this job next spring. 😂

@jonnylemons420 8 месяцев назад

Bruh!😂

@lathamgreen 8 месяцев назад

That’s one hell of a fireplace

@c0mputer 8 месяцев назад

Mark put in the work, love it.

@b_uppy 8 месяцев назад

Love that house. So cozy! And really practical in a blizzard.

@jakeh4175 8 месяцев назад

There was a study done that showed burning pine doesn’t create more creosote. Burning wet wood and low temperature fires create more creosote.

@kenfromnj6929 8 месяцев назад

After having the fireplace professionally cleaned, I clean the back wall and sides with scrubing bubbles. Comes in aresol spray can. It's amazing

@user-sm9hh9hz8j 8 месяцев назад

منزل جميل . Beautiful house .

@poeticthoughts06 8 месяцев назад

Great job!

@tycovie 8 месяцев назад

I hope they gave Mark hazard pay for that one. He came out looking like Tiny Tim 😂😂

@cdchcs 8 месяцев назад

Great video amigo

@Corvid- 8 месяцев назад

I love that house

@b_uppy 8 месяцев назад

Me too. It's at the top of my list.

@russofamerica 8 месяцев назад

06:34 - Mark looks bad-ass caked in soot!

@Jsuttar 8 месяцев назад

I noticed all this creosote……wow thanks for pointing it out 😅😅😅

@Begreen9 8 месяцев назад

Creosote does not come from fossil fuels (like wood). Also, pine is fine to burn as long as it is fully seasoned. It's commonly burned out west. Burn any wet wood and one is going to see creosote accumulating on a cold surface.

@bryan__m Месяц назад

Wood's also not a fossil fuel. He knows what he's talking about for cleaning but could use some work on the details.

@ashtreejr 6 месяцев назад

appreciate the show and content. At minute mark 01:34-01:36 you can see the flue tiles are gapped and cracked. This will allow heat to enter into undesigned areas to cause bad things to happen. A visual inspection picks up many defects but we always recommend to have your fireplace scanned with a designated fireplace camera or professional chimney scanning tool to uncover what a visual inspection misses. This should be done annually if fireplace is new, used, or have no history on the system before operation.

@davebutler4959 8 месяцев назад

Lovely fireplace but I could live without needing to do that job each year

@joshuabennett723 7 месяцев назад

That is one cool ass fireplace

@mjfm4 8 месяцев назад

That house is oooollllddd. Colonial era. Early 1700s. Wow

@kennyw7453 8 месяцев назад

Might be worth mentioning it would be safer using non-sparking grinder wheels or discs.

@b4lt4z4r85 8 месяцев назад

you didn't make a tent around fireplace? dust had to be substantial

@box0car 6 месяцев назад

I can feel the spirit of Mike Row Dirty Jobs in this episode.

@Techmatt167Official 8 месяцев назад

Wow

@danr7996 8 месяцев назад

WOW what a house! I would love that fireplace in my back yard. Did Mark upset a few producers to get that job? :)😀

@geraldkaupp5380 4 месяца назад

Wood is not a fossil fuel,if you don’t know that what do you know? To break down creosote buildup,which is unburnt terpines (oil) establish a 2’ layer of red hot embers, then add enough split seasoned wood to cover embers. Wait about a minute for strong,steady fire. Then add a small handful of salt. (a half cup or less) Then put up fireplace screen as salt will pop a bit. The heat will carry the salt to mineralize the surface of the creosote ,which will then act as a wick to burn the creosote. Same as a candle wick. This happpens gradually during the burn so it is barely noticeable. The creosote will be reduced to a fine ash that is easily swept away after letting fireplace completely cool. You know you have enough salt by observing the flame turning a deeper yellow. This technique has been used by my family for generations. As for rust forming you have to have liquid water for that to happen. Cheers from Sunny Alberta 😎

@robwebnoid5763 5 месяцев назад

Our chimney stove is 4 decades old & has never been cleaned, we probably stopped using it after the first 2 decades, or maybe even the 1st decade. That means it probably has not been used in 20 years or more, idk. We really need this stove these days because of increasing economic inflation, increasing electric bills & colder winters. We do not live in snowy areas, but it can get below 32F sometimes & our heatpump has to work harder. The problem is possibly the cost of a professional service. I wish I can do it myself but its chimney top side, aka crown/cap/wash is 2 stories up on a spanish clay tile roof & then the chimney itself extends another 5-6 feet up above the roof, so that probably means needing a short ladder resting on top of a pitched tile roof propped against the wash, which could get slippery. And I am scared of heights. I have been on top of our roof a couple times before, but to then have to bring a short ladder there to get to the chimney cap & then work on the cap is even scarier.

@TheJackl317 8 месяцев назад

Can you use a laser to remove creasote like they do with rust

@matthewvaughn8474 4 месяца назад

I was taught to start at the to and work your way down.

@patrickkayser 8 месяцев назад

Isn’t there always a draft with so many large holes in the house? You can even see daylight coming down that chimney he is working on

@dgrblue4162 7 месяцев назад

Hate to see their hearing bills. That fireplace is massive

@Farm_fab 8 месяцев назад

Where's the handle for Mark's angle grinder? It's a safety issue not having that, and for this job, it's a requirement.

@dgrblue4162 7 месяцев назад

They say in the credits that some safety equipment is removed for television purposes.

@johnsn10 8 месяцев назад

No plastic covering everything? No air scrubber to catch the dust?

@clarkrichards1907 8 месяцев назад

Chim chiminey Chim chiminey Chim chim cher-ee! When you're with a sweep You're in glad company Though I'm covered with soot From me 'ead to me toes A sweep knows 'e's welcome Wherever 'e goes. I can't believe no posted this yet.

@MrsOveata 8 месяцев назад

Poor Mark. He's a mess. She should have baked him a pie for all his hard work. With that liquid cleaner, I'd wear coveralls, hat, and respirator.

@Pyth110 8 месяцев назад

Lol baked him a pie, nice sexism, woman = kitchen right?

@TheAavelar007 7 месяцев назад

Forgot to have a vacuum with you

@dougclem7711 8 месяцев назад

Looks like a barbeque pit.

@TheArtKemist 8 месяцев назад

I have two fire places but we are new to this house. On is in the living room the other is in our bedroom room the fire places are small anything I should know .and question how long dose it take for a house to settle?

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Your entire life and Beyond. Just the Nature of well the Earth. but if its drastic movements or your seeing damage all over the place get it checked out by pros.

@thomasrobbins1171 8 месяцев назад

A fine video! Is wood really considered a fossil fuel?

@scottmcphee7730 8 месяцев назад

No. Coal is technically, but not wood.

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Wood is Carbon neutral, Dont believe Big Oil on that bullshit.

@ncooty 8 месяцев назад

@2:03: Mark thinks wood is a fossil fuel? I guess the ATOH editors don't check facts.

@beardy7124 8 месяцев назад

Probably misspoke.

@c0mputer 8 месяцев назад

He says a lot of things.

@claywagoner6713 8 месяцев назад

How did they clean up the liquid at the end?

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Its a form of Acid so Wet Dry Vac that you DON'T care about and MANY MANY fabrics that you DON'T care about. You want to be conservative with Acid wash due to its damaging effects if dribbled anywhere else. Its why Acid washing is done as a last resort. The Dry usually is all most need, They don't say it but 1$ metal wire brushes gets rid of a ton with just hand labor To the point I would recommend them over the Putty knife. The grind and buff is good too. But I highly recommend masks Creosote is a carcinogen, think a far worse cigarette Cloths masks may not keep covid out but they keep Dust and ash out but a charcoal filtered mask is best. Also have a VERY strong vaccume just sucking up the air where all of that is falling to help dust control, Ironically opening all your windows during the DRY cleaning will guarntee a dusting, DRY+Vac= Closed windows, Wet=Open Windows. Also the Three Stages are Creosote, Paralysis, Glaze. Cresote is normal, Paralysis is Cresote that has been on fire(Typically a chimney fire), and Glaze the Rock hard Plastic looking crap is even further. When it gets to Glaze it can go INTO the brick itself and chemically bond. Not all Stage three comes off this example sows a light glaze believe it or not. It also is Very Important to Remove glaze in the Smoke Shelf as well right above the Damper door and make sure the lead into the flue is pared smooth instead of Cobbled The Creosote will hit every bump on its way up and stick. The Flue was well cleaned from the little they showed but another area it will build up in is the Cap or if you don't burn hot enough mid way in the flue, And well good luck getting anyone to acid treat up there.

@MegaRiffraff 8 месяцев назад

👍🏻

@bryan__m Месяц назад

Watched this to see if it would be worth it to do myself. Nah, I'm going to pay someone to do it 😅

@mpmarvin999 8 месяцев назад

That's some dirty work. Got me thinking about checking out my fireplace. I probably would tape off the immediate are though. I can't imaging getting that dust all over the couch , chairs , rug etc.

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Get a powerful Vacuum ,Hepa filtered if possible, one you wont mind see dying Point the Hose slightly off the ground up to the flue and run nonstop, get a tarp for the immediate area and one to stick your head into the tarp covering the entrance. Take Frequent breaks during the clean wear a chacoalfiltered mask full eye protection clothes that you can junk. and Close your windows Airflow around the house will draw the dust and Creosote everywhere. You want your flue to suck it away up or the Vaccum to take it. Dusting is HELL to clean so Prevention is the Biggest thing.

@boostedbadboyzx12r31 8 месяцев назад

Jesus thats one of the largest fireplaces I've ever seen

@dgrblue4162 7 месяцев назад

Just think, this is how people cooked back in the day. Plus, houses were built to breathe.

@JimDean002 7 месяцев назад

It did make it easier to clean since they could stand up in it

@veronicaaugust5853 6 месяцев назад

What was the liquid cleaning solution he used? Anyone know?

@anonymously241 5 месяцев назад

Zonrox bleach 👨‍🔬🏴‍☠️

@anotherhuman21 4 месяца назад

The orange ones looks like a concrete/ stone cleaner they sell at stone supply yards/ some landscaping yards.

@BastrdMcQueen 8 месяцев назад

Dick Van Dyke is proud, I'm sure! (Yes he's still around, 97 years old!)

@lorddiablo8575 8 месяцев назад

How about using Hi-Pressure Washer ?? And if Hi-Pressure Washer not doing the job, I would sealed up the area and do Sand Blasting ! !

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Would work if outside.. They are inside and a flooded house of Sand or water is more of a detriment.

@lorddiablo8575 8 месяцев назад

I've considered before submitting my comments. If Hi-Pressure Washer is used, we can make a temporary containment by sand bags with water pump to drain water to outside. If sand blasting, we can use thick plastic sheet or tarp to seal a small area and vacuum the sand into bags or large containers. What do you think ?? @@snintendog

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

@@lorddiablo8575 Your not the first to try. We have seen what happens afterwards of DIYers trying it... lets just say it removed the glaze at the cost of their floor. and dusting their whole house with sand. Water damage in the basement. Containment is never 100%.

@lorddiablo8575 8 месяцев назад

Well, I've done this before and I used Hi-Pressure Washer as it is NOT DUSTY ! I don't have wood floor, but ceramic tiles instead ! The most important thing is preparation before cleaning, and I would say different environment, different method .... @@snintendog

@dgrblue4162 7 месяцев назад

You want the house flooded?

@wowzers0_070 5 месяцев назад

10 fireplaces!? Why? How?

@kylemeissner7228 8 месяцев назад

Make sure to neutralize any chemicals you use before cooking !

@ShirleySerious 8 месяцев назад

That house looks very nice but having to scrape off creosote every year would keep me from even using the fireplace.

@SashaXXY 8 месяцев назад

I don't get it. Why is this a problem? The inside of a fireplace is built to contain a fire. Shouldn't the creosote just harmlessly burn off even if it lights? Will it not just reach an equilibrium at some point, whereby the amount deposited is equal to the amount burned off?

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Creosote Burns Hotter than you expect, When it gets to Glaze levels its bonding to the Clay Liner/Brick.. and well have you ever seen a clay fire? Beautiful but good luck stopping it.

@adamdejesus4017 8 месяцев назад

yeah creosote burns houses down. It isn't ashes, it's a highly flammable compound like gasoline. Imagine that fireplace spitting bits of napalm into your living room...

@billb.2673 8 месяцев назад

Creosote burns at super high temperatures.....enough to crack the mortar joints and allow the heat and flame to reach the interior framing of a house. It's bad. Really bad.

@phonedave 8 месяцев назад

Not to mention your chimney turns into a blowtorch shooting flames and burning embers out - onto your roof, lawn, car, etc. Chimney fires are no joke.

@JimDean002 7 месяцев назад

Somehow I don't think Mark had a stand in that did the hard work on this one...

@mjfm4 8 месяцев назад

Thats fireplace was probably built by Samuel and his cousin John Adams. Way before our time.

@WoobieLT 8 месяцев назад

Should have masks for chemicals, stuff is nasty. Fossil fuel huh? lol anyways good work!

@SYKOK1LLER 8 месяцев назад

6:40 Just got back from the coal mine.

@anonymously241 5 месяцев назад

Poor Mark 😂😂😂

@Ryansroga-wm6pj 6 месяцев назад

Wood is not a fossil fuel

@KevinKinder-ey9gv 8 месяцев назад

Burn a hotter fire

@dgrblue4162 7 месяцев назад

How about using properly dried wood.

@nickuva6508 8 месяцев назад

Why would you grind/wire wheel a substance that creates fine dust particulate inside your house with no vacuum to contain dust? Very foolish

@billb.2673 8 месяцев назад

Ever wonder why smoke goes up the chimney? There's your answer.

@done591030 8 месяцев назад

By definition, wood is not a fossil fuel? It has not been anaerobically decomposed.

@user-ng2qx4xd1b 8 месяцев назад

I always love how on screen they have themselves & the home owner doing the work but then off screen they bring in the mexicans to do most of the work.

@cstewart7056 8 месяцев назад

Wood...its a fossil fuel...

@wilsonxyz92 8 месяцев назад

Wow, at first I thought that nice hairdo and clean inner white layer that she wore will be a mess. Then I saw Mark at the end of the video, he need to soak his clothes with degreaser and wash his head with shampoo

@donc-m4900 8 месяцев назад

2:01 A fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed naturally in the Earth's crust from the remains of dead plants and animals that is extracted and burned as a fuel. Fossil fuels may be burned to provide heat for use directly, to power engines, or to generate electricity. Wikipedia

@paristo 8 месяцев назад

In the 70's when the Oil catastrophe started, that oil ends... The whole west is based to one man hypothesis that grudge oil is based to Fossil plants and animals. And is located only in specific areas and layers. An so on oil is rare resource. At the time, Soviets had different hypothesis, that oil is not based to fossils, but it is a generation from the earth core itself, and hense is finite resource. So far USA oil companies finds oil every 1 of 10th sampled locations based their hypothesis. Where Soviets, and now Russia, maintains 6 of 10 sampled locations to find oil. And they extrude oil multiple times more from the fields than what western hypothesis claims to be possible, and those ain't from where any plants or animals were living. This Soviets hypothesis is not accepted in west and keeps ignored, while now Russians keep pumping more oil than should be possible...

@keithboyd1157 Месяц назад

I shake my head at every one of these "Old House" Videos, that purport to give so called "good advice," when it comes to old houses and especially old brick. You never, ever use abrasive wheels to clean old brick. All you're doing is hastening the bricks deterioration. By using abrasive methods such as these, you're removing the face of the brick, and the cleaning agent, which is either acidic or excessively alkaline, keeps eating away at the brick. Don't use flap-wheels or wire wheels, ever,, no sandpaper discs either. Start by using the gentlest method to start, water and a soft brush. If you get to the point where you think you need something stronger, then dilute a restoration cleaner with water at a ratio of 10:1, reducing the amount of dilution until the brick is clean. Leave at least 48 hrs between cleaning to allow the brick to dry, before moving on to the next stage. I own a Historic masonry repair company that does this type of work on a daily basis from Boston, to Richmond Virginia. Please stop giving out this bad advice.

@hcurtis77 4 месяца назад

Sort of a useless video if they don't say what cleaner they use. Maybe Rutlands? Who knows??

@candocody 8 месяцев назад

The homeowners in these videos should stick to their day jobs. Acting just isn’t for them.

@samsquires2877 8 месяцев назад

That’s about the most inefficient fireplace you’ll ever see right there. You wouldn’t catch me using it. You’d be better off installing a Wood stove inside that fireplace than using it like it is.

@rottenparts 8 месяцев назад

It's more of a hearth for baking/cooking rather than a conventional fireplace for heating.

@snintendog 8 месяцев назад

Would run 5-9 Grand for the Liner work but good luck working around the EPA red tape on Freestanding stoves in a firebox. And for the love of god NEVER let some one but a Slammer in.