When it is cold outside people want to use their fireplace, but what if it has been smoking. To correct a smoky fireplace there are some easy steps to be followed. When the house becomes filled with black silt smoke for all the wood that came out of your log splitter then these tips can definitely help solve the problem. The problem should be solved so the fireplace can be used again, but also to ensure that walls, carpets, and curtains are not wrecked. It is also very unhealthy to breathe in this smoke and the health risks increase for people with allergies.

First, it is important to stoke up the chimney and open the damper. This is found typically in the front and is an easy switch. The chimney should then be warmed by burning safe material like newspaper. The warmer the chimney is the more likely it will push the cold air out. Cold air pushes the warm air down and this is when the smoky air can happen. The wood used should be seasoned but not green timber. It is also a great tip to use small logs so that they burn off the residue quicker and do not create as much smoke. The firewood storage location should be somewhere that the wood cannot become too moist.

The windows can also be opened in the room to ensure that the fire can catch. However the older the house the less likely that there will not be enough draft for the fire to light. New homes may need to have a couple windows opened because they are build in such a way that is more energy efficient and do not allow enough draft for the fire to catch. Bricks can also be purchased. Sometimes, even though there is a grate, poor air circulation under the logs may not allow it to catch. When this occurs the smoke will funnel into the house. The bricks are built under the grate to allow better air circulation.

The opening should also be scaled down. The larger the fireplace the more difficult it is for the fireplace to heat the area. The cause of this is because the chimney is tinier than the hearth. The size of the chimney should be in balance. If the opening needs to be scaled down, reducers can be found at most fireplace carriers. Shields can also be purchased that will catch the smoke that does enter into the room.

The next tip is to turn down the furnace. When there is a lack of air in the home, sometimes smoky air occurs. When the fireplace is on, the furnace will heat the air in the chimney and return it to the home in the form of smoke. The furnace can even be turned off if this can be withstood. It is also recommended that the pipes are cleaned or raised. Pipes can become blocked by debris or even by bird’s nests. However, sometimes the pipes are just not long enough. It can also help to cut back trees and branches to allow the smoke to exit the home.

It is handy to hire a professional cleaning company. Creosote is a substance that can be found from the smoke as a natural by product. The standard time for the fireplace to be cleaned and checked is about one year’s time. This will allow the fireplace to be enjoyed in the home and not something to worry about. It is essential to remember that just because it does not use electricity does not mean it can be dismissed from upkeep. Having it cleaned and maintained during the off months will allow its use to be enjoyed during the prime fireplace use times. Proper and regular cleanings will alleviate problems during the times the fireplace is being used. It will also keep the house smoke free for this time as well.

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