Why Does My Fireplace Smoke Up My House?

A fireplace can be a wonderful addition to any home. It adds warmth and is an elegant touch to the space, whether you’re using it as a focal point or just for decoration, plus there’s the familiar, comforting scent of firewood. But there’s one problem with them: they have the potential to smoke up your house! Keep reading to find out some common causes for the smoky fireplace, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

What is Up With All That Fireplace Smoke? 

The saying goes that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Concurrently, where there’s fire, there’s smoke. But even though smoke coincides with fire, there’s a serious problem when smoke starts billowing out of your fireplace and into your home.

When your fireplace and chimney vent as they should, fire by-products (such as smoke, vapor, or unburned wood) are pushed upwards in the flue (the vertical passage the smoke and air exits through) while the outside air is pulled into it.

This vital exchange of gases keeps flames alive and, at the same time, pushes the process to keep smoke out.

Fireplace smoke in the house can occur for various reasons. The fireplace itself could be the problem, or it might indicate that you need to update your chimney. Either way, the smoke is not only an irritant but also a hazard to your health and home.

Closed Damper

The most common reason for smoke coming into your house when you light a fire is that the damper has not been opened. A damper is a small mechanism that seals the chimney when it’s not being used.

When you start a fire in your fireplace, the damper should be open to allow smoke out. Unfortunately, many people get a little too excited when that first cold day comes, and they forget to open the damper.

If the damper is closed while your fire is burning and there is no other way for outside air to get in to keep cool or heat conditioned air inside the house (or both), a thick black cloud of smoke will result, filling up all interior spaces.

Always check to make sure your damper is fully opened, as even partially opened dampers can push fireplace smoke into your home.

There are two main types of dampers: throat dampers and top-seal dampers. Most fireplaces have cast-iron throat dampers that are easy to check for openness. They are located above the firebox at the base of the smoke chamber.

You can see if it’s open by shining a light into your fireplace to check. If you forgot to open it before lighting a fire, be very careful when touching it, as it will be hot and can cause severe burns. 

The other type of damper is the top-seal damper. This type goes over the chimney, completely sealing it off. You can open or close this damper from the outside using a handle located on the side of your chimney. The handle is attached to a cord or cable, allowing you to open the damper.

Chimney Blockage

A blocked chimney happens when something blocks the passage of air between your fireplace and outside air sources. If you have already checked that the damper is open, there could still be some other culprits – anything from animal nests to creosote buildup – causing the fireplace to not vent properly. 

Each year you should have your chimney inspected and professionally cleaned. This will help avoid blockage that can cause a chimney fire or smoky fireplace. A certified chimney sweep from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) will be able to perform this vital service for you properly.    

Insufficient Venting

If the fireplace is not vented properly, it will fill your house with smoke. Your chimney needs to be large enough and correctly installed for air to flow up and out of it at a rate that can support clean-burning fireplaces and stoves.

If you have an older home in the Chicago suburbs like Woodridge, Sycamore or other nearby areas, or one whose fireplace was not designed for modern appliances, then there’s a chance you might need additional venting materials added to your existing setup. This is because today’s wood-burning appliances produce more gases than ever before.

These appliances require larger flues than those originally built into homes decades ago when such things were partnered with small furnaces or boilers rather than independent heating systems like those we see now. 

To address insufficient fireplace smoke venting, have an outside air supply vent installed or an exhaust fan with a power supply that’s large enough to handle your fireplace. If you’re using propane, a gas fireplace, or have an insert in your old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace, you will need to do this to avoid more smoke in your home. 

Seasoned Firewood

“Seasoning firewood” is the process of drying it out, which helps to make it burn more efficiently. If you keep your wood in a shed or outside where there isn’t enough airflow around it, the wood won’t season properly and will smoke up when burning inside. Seasoned wood should be kept in a dry place with good airflow, as wet firewood will cause a smoke problem.

It is important not to store wood inside a home or garage, where there is little to no airflow. Not only can wood smoke, if not seasoned properly, but also it will create a moist environment for mold and mildew, which can cause health problems in your home, so it’s best to keep wood outside where there is good airflow. Also, be sure to keep the wood off of the ground, as this will help to reduce any moisture.

Convection

Convection is the transfer of heat caused by the movement of hot, which allows it to rises up through a chimney and out. If your fireplace’s opening is covered on the outside with vinyl siding or other materials, this can lessen the airflow into your home, causing smoke to build up inside when you have a fire going.

It will appear that there is insufficient venting in the system if your fireplace becomes smoky while burning because these materials are blocking proper airflow from occurring. 

There should be enough room between any covering on an exterior wall and where your flue enters, preferably six to eight inches (but no less than four) above for good convective heat flow necessary for clean wood burning without producing a smoky fireplace.

Solutions to Prevent Fireplace Smoking

Fireplace smoke can be a significant issue, causing discomfort and potential health hazards in your home. To ensure a pleasant and safe experience with your fireplace, consider implementing the following solutions to prevent fireplace smoking.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial in preventing fireplace smoke. Ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a professional. This helps remove soot, creosote, and other debris that can obstruct airflow and cause smoke to back up into your home. Additionally, check for any structural damage or blockages that might hinder proper ventilation.

Improving Draft

Improving the draft in your fireplace can significantly reduce the occurrence of fireplace smoke. A good draft ensures that smoke is drawn up the chimney and out of your home rather than lingering inside. To improve the draft:

• Ensure the chimney is tall enough to create an effective draft.
• Install a chimney cap to prevent downdrafts and keep debris out.
• Warm the flue before starting a fire by burning a rolled-up newspaper or using a hairdryer.

Using Proper Firewood

Using proper firewood is essential for preventing fireplace smoke. Avoid burning wet or green wood, as it produces more smoke and less heat. Instead, use seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months.

Properly seasoned wood burns more efficiently, producing less smoke and more heat. Additionally, avoid burning materials like treated wood, cardboard, or trash, which can produce harmful fumes and excessive smoke.

Adjusting Dampers and Flues

Adjusting the dampers and flues correctly can help control airflow and reduce fireplace smoke. Make sure the damper is fully open before starting a fire to allow maximum airflow. Once the fire is burning steadily, you can adjust the damper to control the flame and heat output.

Proper adjustment of the flue ensures that smoke is efficiently directed out of the chimney. If you’re unsure about how to adjust these components, consult a professional for guidance.

Home Modifications

Sometimes, home modifications are necessary to address persistent fireplace smoke issues. Consider the following modifications:

• Air Vents: Install air vents or windows in the room to increase airflow and help the fireplace draw properly.
• Chimney Liner: Install a chimney liner to improve the efficiency of your chimney and reduce smoke buildup.
• Fireplace Doors: Adding glass doors to your fireplace can help control airflow and prevent smoke from entering your home.

Contact PuroClean Romeoville If Your Fireplace is Causing Smoke to Fill Your Home

When you first light a fire, it should be free of smoke. But if the fireplace is not venting properly, bad things happen. If you’re using propane, a gas fireplace, or have an insert in your old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace, you will want to avoid smoke filling up your home.

Also, if you are using a Ventless Gas Fireplace, be aware that they can emit noxious gasses into the room they are operating. Make sure to install Cardon Monoxide or ‘CO’ Detectors in the home. Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses.

Finally, if you have a room or house that is full of soot and smoke, it is important to call a professional like Puroclean Romeoville immediately to inspect the situation. Breathing in soot or smoke is not healthy and can cause damage to your textiles and other surfaces.

If you are struggling with any of these symptoms, want more information about how to keep your house fireplace smoke-free, or would like a free inspection due to smoke that has filled your home, contact us today at (815) 905-2225!