Why is My Fireplace Pushing Smoke Into the House?

Back puffing is what is happening when your fireplace is pushing smoke into your house. A smoky fireplace is frustrating and potentially dangerous (because combustion gases are toxic). Back puffing is also among the most common reasons homeowners in Dubuque IA schedule professional chimney sweep services with Dubuque Fireplace & Patio. The following issues are among the leading causes of smoky fireplaces.

Dirty Chimney

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, creosote builds up inside the chimney every time you light a fire. The tar-like substance is highly flammable. The longer you go without scheduling chimney cleaning services, the more layers of creosote there are in your chimney flue. It is not unusual for a dirty chimney to cause an obstruction in the flue liner. When combustion gases cannot get out through the chimney, the fireplace starts pushing smoke into your house.

Downdrafts

Wind-driven downdrafts are also causes of back puffing. Downdrafts can drive up energy costs because they blow cold air into the home. Powerful downdrafts can even blow hot embers out of the fireplace. If there is no chimney cap installed at the top of your flue, there is a good chance back-puffing is wind-driven. To stop your fireplace from being smoky on windy days, all that may be needed is to schedule chimney cap installation services.

Incorrect Construction

To ensure a strong draft, there are certain formulas that guide the building of fireplaces. Unfortunately, during construction, those formulas are sometimes neglected. For example, in larger fireplaces, the size of the flue is often insufficient. As a result, fireplaces end up pushing smoke into the house. One of the clues that incorrect construction may be the reason for your smoky fireplace is that the fireplace has never worked correctly or it has always been temperamental.

Negative Pressure

These days, negative pressure is often the reason for a smoky fireplace. Negative pressure occurs when the existing chimney venting is insufficient against the air pressure inside the home. Bathroom fans and kitchen exhausts, for example, cause negative pressure. Modern homes are often sealed off tightly and, as a result, there is not enough air to supply oxygen for a fire or to create a strong chimney draft to bring the smoke up and out of the chimney. A temporary solution for negative pressure is to open a window by just a little bit near the fireplace.

Animals in the Chimney Flue

Blockage inside the chimney can be caused by animals. Chimney swifts are federally protected birds that build their nests inside hollow trees and chimneys. Snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and bats are also among the animals that tend to venture inside chimneys. The best solution for an animal problem with your chimney is to have a chimney cap with mesh installed on top of your flue. Even better, schedule installation of a custom outside-mount chimney cap because it is a more aesthetically pleasing style and helps keep moisture out of the entire chimney system.

Contact Dubuque Fireplace & Patio for Chimney Cap Installation

The chimney sweeps at Dubuque Fireplace & Patio are NFI-certified and have the experience to help you out if your fireplace keeps pushing smoke back into your house. The toxic gases produced by fires include deadly carbon monoxide. Don’t hesitate to contact us here or by calling (563) 582-5156 to schedule a chimney inspection, chimney cleaning services, chimney repairs, masonry rebuilding, and any of your chimney and fireplace needs. Our chimney professionals are also trained to identify the cause of smoky fireplaces. In and near Highland WI, Chimney Specialists, Inc., our sister store, is the place to call. The number at the Wisconsin location is (608) 929-4887.