Creosote buildup: brush or chemical treatment for heavy tar?

I've been sweeping chimneys in Portland for 6 years now, and last month I had a job where the creosote was nearly an inch thick - brushed it for 2 hours and still left some behind. A buddy swears by those chemical logs for heavy tar, but I worry they just mask the problem. What do you all think, is there a time to skip the brush and go chemical?

2 comments

2 Comments

emery_lopez1mo ago

Honestly, chemicals just turn glazed creosote into a fire risk.

nathanj561mo agoMost Upvoted

Mike from work used those spray cleaners and had a chimney fire three weeks later, @emery_lopez.