Complete this lesson by:

Stages of Creosote

1. Watch the short video discussing the stages of creosote build-up.
2. Read the English description that summarizes what you'll need to know. Explaining Creosote Build-Up in English is an essential part of making a sale and connecting with a customer. TAKE NOTES!
   
   

Types of Cleanings

1. Read about the different types of cleanings.
2. Watch the short video discussing sales strategies for cleaning.
3. Take the quiz!
   

STAGES OF CREOSOTE BUILD-UP - OVERVIEW

Creosote is a carbonaceous chemical produced in any combustible when you burn anything. When present in a chimney or a wood-burning appliance, this chemical is a fire safety hazard. You will be expected to identify and clean all stages of creosote build-up.

How to explain this to a customer: "creosote is the black substance that can coat the inside of your chimney and leave you at risk of a chimney fire. If you burn wood, you will have creosote build-up in your chimney. There is no avoiding it! This is why it is important to have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once per year according to NFPA Code.

Always take or have pictures ready of the inside of the chimney to show the customer!

There are THREE STAGES of Creosote Build-Up in a Chimney:

Stage 1 - A fine layer on the inside of your chimney. The chimney can be used when stage 1 creosote level is present.

Stage 2 - A texture or fuzzy accumulation. In this form, the chimney begins to become a fire safety hazard due to the flammability

Stage 3 - This is typically found when you have a chimney fire and is the most dangerous form of creosote build-up due to its high flammability. This build up is identifiable when the crystallized form of creosote reflects back light, or is shiny during an inspection.

There are multiple solutions to removing creosote within a chimney. Most often, you will encounter Stage 2 or 3 Creosote Build-Up. Depending on the level and build-up of creosote on the chimney, the solutions and steps require intense cleaning!

TYPES OF CLEANING - OVERVIEW

1. Many customers will call in advance for an inspection + basic sweep, and you will see this in the Job Description in Workiz, as you can see below.

a. If there is a "tag" on the job that says "FLAT $299", you cannot upsell to a deep clean. It will look like this in Workiz:

Always take pictures during the inspection to explain to the customer what you saw! If the chimney has not been cleaned in years, chances are it will be very dirty, and a basic sweep will not be enough to bring the chimney back to a suitable working condition.

IF THERE IS A "FLAT $299" TAG, YOU CANNOT UPSELL TO A DEEP CLEAN. You can only add on a Chemical Treatment, if needed.

b. If there is NO "Flat $299" tag, then the progression to upsell looks like this: