SERVPRO: The why of a smoky fireplace

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Blog summary: The SERVPRO blog investigates the causes of a smoky fireplace in a house. It also shares how homeowners can prevent this serious problem.

Do not ignore a smoky fireplace 

A fireplace in the cold winter months is a delight and a necessity. However, a smoky fireplace can be disruptive and a serious safety issue in a home. Smoke can easily permeate carpeting, furniture, and other fabrics causing smoke odors that are hard to remove. SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant Co. discusses the causes of fireplace smoke in a home. 

When a fireplace and chimney vent are working well, fire by-products like smoke, vapor, or unburned wood are pushed upwards in the flue (the vertical passage the smoke and air exits through) while the outside air is pulled into it. This exchange of gases keeps flames alive along with keeping the smoke out of the house. 

When the fireplace or the chimney has a problem, the smoke billows into the house and becomes a health hazard besides damaging home articles with smoke odor. Here are the common causes of fireplace smoke:

1. Closed Damper

A damper is a small mechanism that seals the chimney when it’s not being used. One of the common reasons for smoke to enter the house is when the damper is not opened before starting a fire in the fireplace.

When the damper is closed while a fire is burning, the smoke has no exit but the inside of a house. This smoke can fill up all interior spaces. 

It is important to ensure the damper is completely open when the fireplace is in use. 

There are two main types of dampers namely throat dampers and top-seal dampers. 

1. Cast-iron throat dampers are located above the firebox at the base of the smoke chamber. Be careful while opening it as it will be hot to touch if the fire has been burning for a while. 
2. The top-seal damper is placed over the chimney, completely sealing it off. It can be opened or closed using a handle located on the side of the chimney.   

2. Chimney Blockage

A blocked chimney could be caused by anything from animal nests to creosote buildup, which can cause the fireplace to not vent properly. Ideally, homeowners must get their chimney inspected and professionally cleaned to avoid blockages, and avoid smoke entering the house.

3. Insufficient Venting

Old-fashioned chimneys may require additional venting materials to enable the air to flow up and out of them. Since today’s wood-burning appliances produce more gases than ever before, the appliances require larger flues than those originally built into homes decades ago.  

The solution is to install an outside air supply vent or an exhaust fan with a power supply that’s large enough to handle a fireplace. 

4. Unseasoned Firewood

“Seasoning firewood” is the process of drying it out, which enables efficient burning. Wood stored in a shed or garage with little airflow would not allow sufficient seasoning, cause mold and mildew, and lead to more smoke than usual when burning. 

Store the firewood outside and off the ground to ensure sufficient airflow and reduce moisture. 

5. Cold Flue 

A cold flue or cold air in the chimney can force smoke back down into a house as colder air is denser.

This may happen when the fireplace is being used after a long time and it has been a cold few days. Homeowners can prime the chimney before lighting a full fire by burning some newspaper, kindling, or lighting the gas starter before adding the actual logs. This will warm up the flue and make way for smoke.

Slightly cracking a window or door open for the first few minutes of lighting a fireplace can release the negative air pressure within the home that has been tightly sealed. 

In scenarios where the smoke has entered a home and the odor has permeated into the furniture and furnishings, homeowners must contact professional fire damage restoration services such as SERVPRO to make the house free of all odor and smoke. The SERVPRO technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.

Why SERVPRO?

• SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County is always updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, or anywhere else can quickly access the services. 

• With over 1,700 US and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to respond faster to an emergency of any magnitude.

• The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.

For fire damage restoration and odor removal services, contact Team Shaw of SERVPRO of Grapevine / NE Tarrant County today at (817) 595-2506 or e-mail at office@SERVPROheb.com