Why Is There Smoke Coming Out Of The Chimney?

White smoke coming from your chimney flue is actually

steam produced from condensation as a byproduct of fuel burning

. It’s common to see the smoke and think there’s something wrong with your chimney, but this is not the case.

How do I stop my chimney from smoking?

1. Use A Fireplace Grate. …
2. Build Fires Towards The Back Of The Fireplace. …
3. Build Fires Using The Top-Down Method. …
4. Burn Dry & Low Moisture Content Firewood. …
5. Open The Damper Fully Before Each Fire. …
6. Preheat The Chimney To Start The Draft. …
7. Build Smaller, Hotter Fires.

Why does smoke come back into house from fireplace?

A cold flue or cold air in the chimney is also a common cause for fireplace smoke in the home. When the air inside your flue is too cold, it forces smoke back down into your home

because colder air is more dense

. … Doing this will warm up the flue and make way for smoke.

Should smoke come out of chimney?

A

modern chimney should produce little smoke when the heating system runs smoothly

. White smoke coming from your chimney isn’t necessarily a bad sign. Depending on the heating equipment installed in your home, wispy white smoke could be a normal byproduct of operation.

How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?

1. Your fireplace smells like a campfire. …
2. Fires burn oddly. …
3. It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going. …
4. Smoke fills the room. …
5. The fireplace damper is black. …
6. Fireplace walls have oily marks. …
7. There’s evidence of animals.

Is it safe to have a fire in the fireplace when it’s windy?

Never use a fireplace during high winds

, especially if you have a wood shake roof. Make sure tree branches are cleared at least 10 feet from the chimney opening. Store paper, kindling, and other flammable material at least three feet from the fireplace. … Never burn trash, paper, or green wood in your fireplace.

How can I improve my chimney draft?

1. Have The Chimney Swept. …
2. Open Any Air Vents Or Windows. …
3. Fully Open The Damper. …
4. Leave Glass Doors Open Before Each Fire. …
5. Prime The Chimney Flue. …
6. Build A Fire Using The Top-Down Method. …
7. Use Low Moisture Content Logs. …
8. Burn Smaller, Hotter Fires.

Is it safe to leave fireplace burning at night?

Sparks and ashes can pop, potentially starting a fire outside the fireplace and causing fire damage. Keep your fireplace burning for extended periods of time. Leaving a

fireplace lit overnight

or even over 5 hours can damage your fireplace and increase the risk of a house fire. Keep flammable items near your fireplace.

What are the signs of a chimney fire?

A loud, crackling or popping noise from the chimney flue

(imagine the sound of a large bonfire) A lot of dense, thick smoke coming into the fireplace or out of the top of the chimney. Flames or things that are on fire (pieces of flaming creosote) coming from the top of the chimney. A strong, intensely hot smell.

What does white smoke from a chimney mean?

The smoke coming out of your chimney should be almost colorless and thin. Thick, white or black smoke indicates

that your fire is not receiving enough air

. … Increase air to the fire for cleaner burning. Burn small hot fires and allow plenty of air to reach the fire.

How often should you get chimney cleaned?

How often should I have my chimney swept? This a tougher question than it sounds. The simple answer is: The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected

at least once a year

for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances.

What happens if you don’t clean your chimney?

When your chimney is not cleaned for a long time,

a substance called creosote keeps building up in the flue during the use of the fireplace

. This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire (an uncontrolled 2000 degree fire burning inside 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 wind speed is safe for a fire?

The

minimum 20-foot windspeed for burning is about 6 mph

and the maximum is about 20 mph. These are the most desirable winds for prescribed burning, but specific conditions may tolerate other speeds. As a general rule higher windspeeds are steadier in direction.

How do you stop wind from coming down a flue?

1. Use a Chimney Balloon. A chimney balloon is one handy solution in fighting noise and thermal leaking. …
2. Put chimney Flueblocker. When not in use, you can put chimney flueblocker in order to prevent the air coming down through your chimney and some unnecessary noise. …
3. Place a Chimney Cowl.