Why is smoke not going up my chimney?

The Flue Needs Priming

Smoke sometimes won't go up a chimney because there is a column of cold air in the chimney flue that pushes the smoke back into the home. It's important to check the draft before lighting a fire, to be sure priming isn't needed.

How do I make sure smoke goes up my chimney?

Why is smoke blowing back down my chimney?

Often times, when smoke is blowing back into your house, it means there is a downdraft and the room is too negatively pressurized. In other words, the easiest way for the makeup air to replace the air being lost or exhausted somewhere else in the house is down the chimney.

How can I make my chimney draw better?

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.

Common Wood Stove and Firplace Backdraft Smoke Issues

How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?

How do you check for chimney draw?

How do you stop Backdraft in a fireplace?

Try opening a window near the fireplace to increase airflow into the home before opening the fireplace door. The area will be exposed to more air, allowing for less to be immediately taken through the chimney. Also, consider using a fan or turning on exhaust fans to troubleshoot this problem.

Why does my chimney have a downdraft?

Downdraft is caused by something called the stack effect, which is when warm air rises, leaving less air closer to the floor. In two-story homes or homes with attics, warm air creates a high-pressure point towards the top of your home. Lower pressure points will attempt to regulate by pulling in air.

Should I see smoke from my chimney?

Smoke is unburned wood particles – if you can see smoke from a chimney, you need to improve your technique. If you see a lot of black smoke, it's a sign you're burning something toxic. a light colored smoke means your fire isn't burning efficiently and you need to adjust your air intake.

Can smoke come down a chimney?

Smoke can blow into your room if your chimney suffers from a poor draw. In other words, the smoke and flue gases are not being pulled up the chimney with sufficient strength. This becomes a problem if the wind outside is drawn into or over the chimney in a way the prevents the gases from exiting.

Why was the smoke coming down from the roof?

Essentially, a negative pressure differential is created in the house independent of the fire. If this negative pressure differential is strong enough, it can pull air in from the chimney, which will include any smoke that happens to be trying to make its way out through there as well.

Should fireplace damper be open or closed?

A fireplace damper should always be kept open while the fire is burning. Furthermore, keep the damper open until all the embers are completely out; since smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can enter the house. Once the ember bed is entirely out, close the damper.

Should I crack a window when using fireplace?

To alleviate this problem, make sure that your basement fireplace damper is closed. The best solution is to crack a window in the basement (about a quarter of an inch) when you use your upstairs fireplace.

How often does chimney need to be cleaned?

HETAS encourage having your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used over a prolonged period.

What are the signs of backdraft?

Common signs of imminent backdraft include a sudden inrush of air upon an opening into a compartment being created, lack of visible signs of flame (fire above its upper flammability limit), "pulsing" smoke plumes from openings and auto-ignition of hot gases at openings where they mix with oxygen in the surrounding air.

Does a taller chimney draft better?

Taller Chimneys Produce Stronger Draft

If draft problems are experienced with short systems, consider adding to the chimney height. If draft problems are experienced with systems higher than the recommended minimum system height, adding to the chimney may have little or no effect.

How much draft should a chimney have?

In the heating industry, traditionally draft measurements around -0.02" w.c. are considered "low", and around-0.06" w.c. are "high" draft levels.

Do chimney cleaning logs really work?

Many homeowners wonder if the chimney sweep logs or creosote sweeping logs really work to clean out fireplace flues and get rid of creosote residue so that the fireplaces are safe to use. The short answer is no, they don't work. At least, not well enough to completely clean out the flue the way it should be cleaned.

What is the easiest way to clean a chimney?

Pour two cups of vinegar over it and sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and salt on them. Fill a tub with hot water and let the filters sit in the solution for 2 hours. Rinse them with clean water and wipe them clean afterward.

How often should you clean your chimney is burning coal?

Clean the chimney every year, regardless of how many of these logs you burn during the season.

Can you clean a chimney yourself?

In many cases, you can clean the chimney yourself and save a few hundred dollars. Removing ordinary chimney soot is pretty simple. But if you have heavy creosote buildup, you'll have to call in a pro.

How do you test a chimney for creosote?

Use your fireplace poker.

Scratch the smoke chamber above your damper to see if there is any creosote. Even if the layer of tar seems very thin, it's time to call a chimney sweep ASAP. If you have more than 1/8 of an inch of buildup, do not use the chimney until it is clean.