Your lovely fireplace has been working fine until suddenly it starts to produce strange smoke in the house. A smoky fireplace is a sign that your chimney is not working efficiently, and there is something problematic about them. The real question here is that what exactly is the cause of the smoky fireplace?
The article will share the common causes of smoke in the fireplace. But before we start, you should know that calling the chimney experts is essential to troubleshoot the fireplace problems and fix them immediately. Any malfunctioning component in the chimney can lead to dangerous hazards, which makes it crucial to have the annual chimney inspection with the professionals.
Common Causes of Smoky Fireplace
1) Extremely Dirty Chimney
The leading cause of smoky fireplace is the extreme accumulation of creosote on the flue walls that further restricts your chimney. Therefore, a blockage in the flue causes the fireplace to have poor draft and smoke.
Calling the professionals to sweep your chimney will remove the restrictions and prevent your fireplace from producing excessive smoke.
2) Scorching Temperatures
Did you know that your fireplace can wonderfully draft when there is a temperature differential between the inside room and the outdoors?
In other words, when the temperature is warm inside and cold outside, the fireplace will draft ideally. However, when the temperature is similar, they will draw poorly and produce smoke in the home.
3) Damper is Closed
It is a common and slight mistake that usually people forget to open their top-sealing damper before burning fire in the fireplace. However, even a partially closed damper causes fireplace smoke. Therefore, check if you had opened the top-sealing damper before lighting the fireplace.
4) Wet Firewood causes Smoky Fireplace
Honestly, wet firewoods are not efficient to burn gracefully or generate enough heat for the chimney to draw correctly. Hissing sounds or fire smolders are the signs of extra water content in the firewood.
Therefore, check it by breaking it into two pieces before burning firewood. Crisp, sharp sound will reflect the wood is dry enough to burn. On the other hand, a dull thud sound signifies that firewood is wet.
Why Is Smoke from A Fireplace Bad?
Smoke coming from the fireplace affects your health by irritating your eyes and respiratory system. In the worst scenarios, heavy smoke inhalation can provoke serious health problems, including:
- Asthma attacks,
- Heart attacks,
- Stroke,
- Irregular heart rhythms, and
- Heart failure.
Final Words
A smoky fireplace is not a sign that you can ignore or avoid noticing. The best way to get rid of excessive smoke coming from the fireplace is to call the professional chimney sweeping company. While CSIA advises having the annual chimney inspection, any malfunctioning in between requires immediate assessment. The fireplace experts can inspect and analyze the leading cause of smoky fireplace and treat it accordingly.
Connect with Smoky Sweeper today if you are looking to solve your chimney and fireplace problems efficiently! We always make sure that your fireplace is clean and functioning efficiently.
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