A fireplace that kicks up smoke is a classic sign of a weak draft , which can result in a fire that quickly dies out or fire by-products “back-puffing”—getting backed up in the firebox or flue and issuing into the room as smoke and harmful vapors, including carbon monoxide.
How do I stop the fireplace from smoking in my house?
- Use A Fireplace Grate. ...
- Build Fires Towards The Back Of The Fireplace. ...
- Build Fires Using The Top-Down Method. ...
- Burn Dry & Low Moisture Content Firewood. ...
- Open The Damper Fully Before Each Fire. ...
- Preheat The Chimney To Start The Draft. ...
- Build Smaller, Hotter Fires.
Why is my fireplace filling my house with smoke?
The most likely reason that your house is filling with smoke when you light a fire is that the damper is closed . The damper should be fully opened when the fireplace is in use, and closed when it is not. All indoor fireplaces have a damper that must be opened before you light a fire in your fireplace.
What causes a fireplace not to draw?
The main reasons why your wood stove does not draw can include: The stove or flue is too cold. The flue or chimney is dirty . The room or house is too airtight.
How do I improve my chimney draft?
- Have The Chimney Swept. ...
- Open Any Air Vents Or Windows. ...
- Fully Open The Damper. ...
- Leave Glass Doors Open Before Each Fire. ...
- Prime The Chimney Flue. ...
- Build A Fire Using The Top-Down Method. ...
- Use Low Moisture Content Logs. ...
- Burn Smaller, Hotter Fires.
How do I stop my fireplace Backdraft?
- Shut Off Exhaust Fans: When your fireplace is in use, turn off your exhaust fans, as they naturally increase negative pressure by pulling air out of the house.
- Adjust Your Damper: If your damper is warped, you might need to adjust it slightly to get the right airflow.
How do I know if my fireplace is open?
Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney , it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.
What is the 2 10 rule?
This rule means that they must extend 3 feet above the roof penetration on the shortest side, and the top of the chimney must be 2 feet higher than any portion of the building structure within 10 feet .
How do you know if your chimney is clogged?
Use your flashlight to determine where the debris and blockage is located in the flue liner. Using your wire brush, clean out the chimney until it appears clear of any blockage. Any debris will fall to the floor of the fireplace; clean these up when you’re finished.
What is the vent at the bottom of my fireplace for?
Bottom Air Vent – The bottom air vent on Old-Style Heatilator Fireplaces are where cool room air is drawn into the fireplace . The air is then routed around the firebox and exits through the top air vent where it returns to the room as heated air.
How do you slow down a chimney draft?
If you’re finding that your chimney is drawing too well on your fireplace, a fireplace damper can be used to help reduce the draft and therefore the air supply to the fire. If your fireplace has a damper is will typically at the top inside of your open fireplace, at the base of the chimney.
Does a chimney cap Reduce draft?
Chimney caps with baffles can improve chimney draft no matter from what direction or speed the wind approaches the chimney. This type of chimney cap has a design that consistently creates a driving pressure at the top of the chimney to help pull the byproducts of combustion out of your chimney and home.
What causes a backdraft in a fireplace?
When a chimney for a fireplace or wood stove is functioning normally, a hot fire creates an updraft that sweeps waste gases from the fire up through it. ... Such a backdraft can be the result of a fire that isn’t burning hot enough, an obstructed chimney or air pressure differences .
How do you fix a drafty fireplace?
This can be accomplished by holding a safely burning log or other source of heat such as a tightly rolled newspaper high up in the flue to heat the air. Once the flue is heated, warm air will rise and when your main fire is lit the smoke will continue to rise up and out of your chimney.
Is it OK to block off a chimney?
Plain and simple, DO NOT seal off a chimney or fireplace because you will get a flue full of condensation problems! Even when your fireplace is blocked off airtight you’ll still end up with “hidden” water issues.
