Smoke Problems
If a stove or fireplace is letting smoke into the
house first make sure that the flue gas dampers are open.
If the dampers are open, then the best way to solve the
immediate problem is to open a window or door on the
first floor or basement while at the same time close all
openings in the upper parts of the house. If the weather
is windy, the open windows or doors should be on the
windward side of the house. To keep smoke from entering a
room, turn off kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and
close forced air heating registers that are near the
fireplace.
If the chimney serves a stove, move the stove closer
to the chimney and eliminate elbows in the stovepipe
connector. If the chimney serves a fireplace, the only
solution may be to make the fireplace opening smaller.
This can be done by raising the hearth or installing a
canopy hood down from the top of the fireplace opening.
Prefabricated chimneys can be made taller by adding
another section or two. Weather stripping or otherwise
sealing upstairs windows and attic doors can help.
If you tried these remedies and smoking still occurs,
the only remedies are either a smaller stove or
fireplace, or a new chimney. Increasing the diameter of
the chimney is the surest way to get more capacity.
Problem
Smoke coming out of stove while first starting up in
cold weather.
Cause
Temperature differential between outdoors and indoors
causing changes in air movement in the house to equalize
that of the outside pressure. The air in the house
becomes buoyant, drawing air from the chimney (reverse
chimney flow); or not enough air to supply fire.
Remedy
Open a window near the stove (easiest, safest).
Provide a separate air inlet. or Place a lighted
newspaper in the stove pipe inlet.
Problem
Smoke coming out of stove or fireplace when windy.
Cause
Wind currents force air back down the chimney. Nearby
trees, buildings in roof projections often cause
downdrafts during windy periods.
Remedy
Check chimney for correct height in relation to
nearby objects. Remove nearby obstructions. Place a
chimney cap on chimney. If there is an existing cap, try
a cap of different design. Change chimney height.
Problem
Smoke continuously out of stove or fireplace.
Cause
Blocked flow of flue gases or flues partially filled
with soot and creosote; or the flue may not be large
enough to carry the smoke and gases outside; or green or
wet wood can cause smoke since heat is used to dry the
wood, also softwoods can cause smoke because of the
resin in wood; or the flue may be too large (in older
houses which have a large central chimney with several
fireplaces and flue openings, there may not be enough
draft to keep the column of smoke rising if only one
fireplace or stove is used); or not enough air for
efficient combustion; or cracks or leaks in flue lining.
Remedy
Check chimney for obstacles (bird-nests, branches,
leaves, etc.). Clean the chimney. Install a large flue or
attach a smaller appliance. Keep hot fire going; use
seasoned dry wood or split the green wood finer and mix
it with dry wood. Reduce the cross sectional area at the
top of the chimney or install a stove pipe through the
center of the chimney. Provide a separate air inlet for
wood burning appliances. Check flue liners. Install a
smoke shelf in fireplace.
Problem
Smoke coming out of one fireplace while another wood
stove or fireplace is in use.
Cause
Two wood burning appliances sharing the same flue may
result in smoke traveling from one appliance to another.
If each appliance has a separate flue, there may be smoke
leaking from an adjacent liner to the liner serving the
other appliance. If the flue height in adjacent liners is
equal at the chimney cap, smoke can be pushed or sucked
down another liner.
Remedy
Either disconnect one appliance or plug the fireplace
opening if two appliances are sharing same fireplace
flue. Add a separate flue for each appliance. Check for
breaks in adjoining flues or stagger flue joints. Change
height of nearby flues extending out the chimney.