Soot is the enemy of stoves and chimneys.

Soot is formed during the combustion of all types of carbon: gas, oil, coal, and wood. However, it is during the burning of solid fuels that the most soot is produced. When coal and wood burn, mechanical destruction of fuel pieces occurs, accompanied by a familiar crackling sound. As a result of this process, large and small residues, like dust, are formed. The light particles that are carried away with the smoke flow are soot. And it would be fine if the soot simply flew away: it accumulates on the surfaces of chimneys and boilers.

Accumulated soot in the pipe reduces the chimney's cross-section and can completely block it. Accordingly, the draft in the stove or boiler will be weak or, in fact, smoke will enter the room. The most concerning issue is that accumulated soot in the pipe can ignite from sparks in the firebox. And this is a temperature of over 1000 degrees! Such high combustion temperatures of soot lead to the destruction of the chimney channel or overheating and ignition of nearby structures or objects. Even if the flue connection at the stove is sufficient, at such temperatures, large layers of brick and other materials can overheat. In most cases, the combustion of soot in the chimney leads to a fire in the house.

To prevent such situations from occurring in your household, do not forget that the chimney should be cleaned at the beginning of the heating season. Subsequent cleaning should be carried out no less than:

• once every 3 months — for heating stoves;
• once every 2 months — for stoves and continuous operation fireplaces;
• once a month — for kitchen stoves and other devices.

Ignition and combustion of soot is one of the greatest misfortunes for homeowners. One should not rely on "maybe" and allow such cases, as one cleaning of the chimney can cost you an entire house.