Cre-Away Tar Removal

Creosote builds up inside chimneys in three stages:

Stage 1: Black dust or fine black powder.
Stage 2: A harder, rock-like substance.
Stage 3: Tar – viscous and sticky before hardening into a glazed finish. This is a highly concentrated fuel that can easily catch fire, leading to a potentially devastating chimney fire.

Stages 1 and 2 can be removed with T P Chimney Sweep’s rotary power sweeping. Stage 3 requires a specialist chemical treatment called Cre-Away.

Why does creosote form?

• Burning unseasoned wood (over 20% moisture content). Always buy from a reputable supplier and store under cover.
• Incomplete combustion from slumbering or cutting off air supply.
• Inadequate airflow to the fire.
• Cold or uninsulated chimneys.
• A flue that’s too large for the fire.

The Cre-Away Treatment
Cre-Away is a four-component powder that modifies glazed Stage 3 creosote so it can be removed by rotary power sweeping. It:

• Neutralises acidic creosote, making it less flammable and less corrosive.
• Dehydrates moisture and oils.
• Reduces chimney fire risk.
• Uses a magnesium catalyst to break down tar when the flue is heated.

We preheat the chimney, coat the flue with Cre-Away using a compressor, and leave it for one week. Once treated, the build-up can be removed safely, and we’ll issue a chimney sweeping certificate for insurance purposes.