Nothing is better than sitting around the warm glow of a wood burning fireplace. Cuddling up with loved ones around a fireplace is both fun and relaxing. However, there is nothing fun and relaxing when your fireplace starts to send smoke into your living areas. At Old Smokey’s, we want to let you know why there might be smoke coming from your chimney and what you can do to fix it.
Your home’s airflow system is key to a properly working chimney system. If there are issues within this system it can lead to a number of problems which could cause smoke to come into your home.
Chimney Blockages
Your chimney is designed to take warm air and gases created by your fireplace upwards and out of your home. However, if there is a blockage in your chimney, you may not be getting a proper updraft. Smoke could come into your home as a result. Chimney blockages are caused by any number of different things including:
- creosote build up,
- animal nests,
- or even just a malfunctioning damper.
There are different solutions to blockage issues depending on what is causing the blockage. No matter what the cause is, it is important that you have a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep, like the ones at Old Smokey’s, assess the situation and find a solution that is best for your chimney system.
Negative Air Pressure
Sometimes if a home is sealed up too well a slight vacuum can be created inside your home. This negative air pressure can actually draw from outside through the chimney causing smoke to come inside your home. To cure negative air pressure, simple crack a window open in your home and allow the pressure to equalize.
Improper Burning
Make sure that you are not burning items that shouldn’t be burned in your fireplace. Burning paper, cardboard, or unseasoned firewood can create more smoke than your chimney might be able to handle. Remember to only burn wood in your fireplace and be sure that the wood you burn has been properly seasoned.
Too Much Moisture
Getting too much water in your chimney flue can cause smoke to cool down. Cooled smoke won’t rise as fast as it should, causing smoke buildup. You can prevent a lot of moisture from coming into your chimney by adding a chimney cap to the top of your chimney.
If you are having issues with smoke and can’t determine the cause, Old Smokey’s is here for you. Call Old Smokey’s today at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians today!