Chimney Damper Causing Smoke Problems - Smokey Fireplace In Home

Chimney & Fireplace Smoke Problems

When you burn wood in your fireplace or stove, you know the smoke should travel up your chimney and out of your house. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If smoke from your fireplace is escaping into your home, this can happen for a variety of reasons. Most likely, you have either failed to open your flue or you are experiencing a drafting problem.

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Drafting Problem Sources

Your chimney flue is the most common culprit when it comes to drafting problems. The flue runs from the top of your fireplace opening through the chimney to outside air. Here are some of the most common issues that cause drafting problems:

  • Blockage – If your damper is open, but your chimney still smokes all of the time, there is likely something blocking your chimney. This could be an animal nest (birds, bees, raccoons, squirrels, etc.) or extreme creosote buildup.
  • Damper malfunction – Perhaps your damper is open, but it isn’t opening all the way.
  • Improper chimney height – If your chimney is less than 10 feet at its highest point, it may not be able to draw air properly.
  • Chimney size – If the chimney is too small for the firebox, smoke cannot draft up through the chimney.

Damper and Chimney Flue Inspection

If you have a drafty chimney, Fluesbrothers can help. For example, if you have a problem with the size of your flue, we can install a stainless steel liner to remedy this situation. We can inspect your damper to make sure it is functioning the way it should, and inspect your chimney flue to make sure there are no blockages.

If you have a smoke problem, the first thing to do is call us. Your problem should be diagnosed by a chimney care professional. Sometimes it is easy to determine why your chimney is smoking—but not always. Give us a call today and we’ll help track down the source of your smoke problem.

Sweeping your chimney can help with other problems, too. Let Fluesbrothers' chimney and fireplace expertise come to the rescue!

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