Our Company Blog

Resolving Chimney Smoke and Drafting Problems

Your chimney should work for you. Like other systems in your home, you may take it for granted until it doesn’t work. Your chimney will work fine for a long time, venting your fire as it should, smoke escaping out the top of the flue. As long as it’s working, many homeowners don’t worry about scheduling routine services. The biggest thing to remember about the chimney system, however, is that when it works, it’s good. When it doesn’t work, it’s very bad.

Dangers of a Smoky Fireplace

If you find that your fireplace smokes when you’re lighting the fire, especially in a cold chimney, it’s not a huge deal. If a little smoke escapes your stove when you open it to load in more wood, that isn’t a huge deal. When you have a persistent smoke issue and the damper is in the open position, it’s a problem. When the smoke pushes into your room consistently, and visibly, you have a problem. Your inefficient chimney isn’t just a fire hazard at this point. It’s also a hazard to your health.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes a smoky fireplace is a simple problem with a simple solution. If the chimney is cold, it can be difficult for the smoke to rise up the chimney. If the fire is hot and has been burning for an hour or more, this is likely not the issue. It may be that you have a draft problem, meaning your house is too tightly sealed and cannot draw air from it to create a draft. If this is the issue, it can be resolved simply by cracking a window or opening a door on an opposite side of the house. Other appliances may also interfere with the chimney’s draft. You may also try shutting these off to see if there is a difference in the chimney’s performance.

If you have tried troubleshooting with no luck, are burning dry, seasoned wood, and your damper is in the correct position, and you still have a smoky fireplace, it’s time to call a professional.

Chief Chimney Services Offers Diagnostic Inspections

At Chief Chimney Services, the safety and comfort of our customers in Suffolk County is our #1 priority. Fire is not the only safety concern when it comes to fireplaces. Smoke inhalation can cause respiratory issues over time, sudden respiratory distress in asthmatics, and carbon monoxide poisoning in people of all ages. If you think you or a family member has inhaled too much smoke, seek medical attention.

If you haven’t resolved your smoky chimney/fireplace yourself, you can count on Chief Chimney Services. One of our technicians will come in and assess the entire chimney system for failing parts. It may be a simple issue that was overlooked during construction or something that occurred over time. If it’s a chimney sizing issue, it can be resolved with a new, appropriately-sized liner. We can replace it if it’s a faulty damper. If there is a solution to your chimney problem, the Chief can resolve it.

Contact Us

Call Chief Chimney Services to handle your smoky fireplace in Suffolk County. Call 631-863-2460, or schedule online.

The Importance of a Clean Fireplace for Valentine’s Day

We are halfway through the cold season, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s still important to maintain the chimney properly, however—even if you’re using it less, and even if it is working fine. If your chimney system is broken or damaged, you may not notice it until it’s too late, and serious damage has occurred. Besides the obvious safety perks of a clean chimney, you may also find that a clean chimney is just what you need to make your Valentine’s Day warm, comfortable, and romantic.

Why Sweep Your Chimney

In order to keep your family and property safe, it’s important to keep up with routine maintenance. Both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend routine sweeps and annual inspections for the most efficient and safe chimney system possible—year-round. When your chimney is cleaned, there isn’t anything in the flue to obstruct airflow, so the smoke rises out as it should. The alternative is that the air slows, and smoke stalls, depositing soot and creosote on the flue walls and even pushing smoke back into the house. Carbon monoxide is very dangerous. Carbon monoxide poisoning often goes unnoticed. If you have a smoky chimney, and you’re troubleshooting to no avail, contact a chimney professional and schedule a chimney sweep today.

Most chimney sweeps include a level 1 inspection that assesses the readily accessible portions of your chimney system. This inspection will identify any hazards that may put your family and home at risk. A level 1 inspection is recommended annually and may be required by your homeowner’s insurance. Kill two birds with one stone, and have your chimney sweep completed now.

The Danger of an Unclean Chimney

If your chimney continues to work while dirty, there are many things that can occur.

You may experience:

• a smoky fireplace while the fire is lit,
• a drafty or stinky fireplace while it’s not lit,
• or may even have a fire that devastates your household with injuries and loss of property or life.

A dangerous chimney is no laughing matter, but it can also cramp your style for your big Valentine’s date.

Dirty Chimneys Stink

When the chimney is dirty, it can stink—actually smell! If you notice your chimney has an odor, you may have a dirty chimney or a bigger problem. The best solution is to schedule a chimney sweep with a professional. If the chimney isn’t cleaned, you may also have difficulty lighting or keeping a fire burning, reaching the desired temperature, or burning too much wood. All of these issues can be avoided completely with a chimney sweep, and there’s still time.

You can schedule a chimney sweep with Chief Chimney Services now, and we’ll have your system cleaned before Valentine’s Day!