Fireplace Smoke Problems

Dirt and Creosote

• One of the most common causes of smoke entering the home from a fireplace is dirt or creosote buildup in the flue. Known as "flue gas," creosote is vaporized carbon-based steam that builds up and causes condensation on the interior sides of the chimney. Creosote often occurs from the burning of wet or rotten wood, which creates limited heat that is unable to burn off the condensation, thus leaving creosote buildup behind. Inspect and clean your chimney once a year to prevent buildup and odors that come from a dirty chimney.

Blocked Damper or Flue

• A damper is an apparatus that allows smoke to escape the chimney, and a flue is a small duct that allows smoke to escape. If the damper or flue is blocked, smoke will build up and return down to enter the home from the fireplace. This issue can fill a home with smoke very quickly, which is not only a fire hazard, but a safety hazard as well. If the damper or flue is blocked, rusted or damaged, replace it immediately.

Weather

• The weather outside can affect how smoke escapes from a chimney. During high winds, a downdraft can push the smoke back through the chimney and into the home. Prevent this by using a chimney cap, which deflects high winds and allows smoke to escape from the top of the chimney. It is best to have a professional install a chimney cap, because one that is too small will cause the flue to become undersized and increase the smoke within the home.

Household Activities

• Certain household activities can affect a fireplace's ability to release smoke from the top of the chimney. Open windows, fans, dryers and exhaust fans can suck smoke from the inside of a fireplace and chimney and disperse it throughout the room. If smoke is entering the home, make sure that windows are closed, fans are turned off and the door to the laundry room is closed to see if that stops the smoke from coming back down the chimney.