Tips on Troubleshooting Fireplace Backdrafts

If you have a smoky fireplace that may also smell bad, something isn’t right and it’s time to start troubleshooting the cause of fireplace backdrafts. The way fireplaces and wood stoves are supposed to work is that the combustion gases go up and out of the chimney. Other than a problem with chimney construction, there are several common causes of fireplace backdrafts.

Common Causes of Fireplace Backdrafts

Backdrafting can create health threats, and it’s important to stop smoke from coming into your home. The following are the most common causes of fireplace backdrafts plus troubleshooting tips.

Negative Air Pressure

Negative air pressure is a common phenomenon these days caused by new homes that are typically sealed tightly. Fires need air, and it is not unusual for fireplaces in new homes to be starved by a lack of air. An easy way to determine if your fireplace is backdrafting because of negative air pressure is to open a window near the fireplace. If that solves the problem, you can work with expert chimney sweeps to find a more permanent solution. Keeping your window open is only a temporary fix, and it has a negative impact on heating efficiency.

Inefficient Fires

A strong draft going up the chimney is best achieved when the fire is hot enough to cause combustion gases to travel up the chimney. A strong updraft doesn’t occur if, for instance, you are burning green firewood, which can only produce a weak draft and backdrafting. Burning unseasoned or green firewood should never be done, but it often happens, especially when buying small bundles of firewood, which are sometimes available at various stores in winter.

It’s a good idea to buy a moisture meter, which is inexpensive, and test firewood to ensure that the moisture content is below 20%. Another potential solution is to use more tinder and good kindling so that fires are hotter and more efficient from the start.

An Obstructed Chimney

If you don’t open your damper all the way, it can have the effect of an obstructed chimney. The idea of avoiding a blocked chimney is really about creating an unhindered path for the chimney draft so that there is no backdrafting. Blocked chimneys are common and dangerous because they send toxic fumes back into the home. The following are the most common causes of chimney obstructions:

• The chimney hasn’t been cleaned in a long while, and layers of creosote have clogged the chimney flue.
• There is no chimney cap at the top of your flue pipe. As a result, your chimney flue is clogged with a buildup of debris such as leaves, tree limbs, and possibly birds’ nests or a critter who has gotten stuck in the chimney or had been enjoying a warm getaway from the cold weather outside.

A Clogged Chimney Cap

The chimney cap is often the first place chimney experts look when there seems to be a chimney obstruction. The mesh on chimney caps can become clogged from frequent use of the fireplace, environmental debris, and major weather events. No need to climb on the roof, though. Stay safe and contact a trusted chimney sweep service like Dubuque Fireplace & Patio to get to the bottom of your backdrafting problem and, as needed, to clean your chimney cap.

Contact Dubuque Fireplace & Patio Today

For trusted chimney services such as help with eliminating a backdrafting issue, contact the chimney sweep experts at Dubuque Fireplace & Patio. Located in Dubuque IA, we offer the full range of chimney sweep services throughout the tri-state area. If Highland WI is more convenient for you, contact our sister store, Chimney Specialists Inc., at (608) 929-4887. Don’t know what’s causing the backdraft in your fireplace? Call Dubuque Fireplace & Patio today at
(563) 582-5156 for answers and complete solutions.