Our Company Blog

Don’t Let A Smoky Chimney Ruin Your Holiday Season

by | Nov 5, 2017 | Smoking Chimney

Do you plan on hosting any parties or events this holiday season? If so. then you can count on your fireplace to set the perfect aesthetic for you. A crackling fire lightens up any room, adds a cozy atmosphere, and helps set that festive mood that every homeowner desires. That being said, a fun-filled night in can easily turn bad when smoke starting pouring into your living room.

Avoid this issue by studying some of our tips below! We’ll discuss what causes smoke to back-up and educate you on how to prevent it from happening to you.

Is Your Damper Working?

First things first, if you notice smoke backing up, check your damper. Sometimes homeowners simply forget to open it, but other times it’s stuck or broken. A fireplace can’t run without a properly working damper, so count on us to make sure yours is good to go! We’ll do a thorough inspection and take the appropriate steps to resolve any issues you may be facing.

Need your current damper replaced? No problem! We can take care of that, too. Give us a call and we will set up with an appointment.

Is Your Firewood Properly Seasoned?

Ensuring your firewood has been seasoned for at least 6 months (preferably longer) can make a huge impact on how much, or how little, your fireplace smokes. Wood that isn’t properly seasoned will hold more water, forcing your fire to use up a lot of energy burning through all the excess moisture. This causes smoke to form. Unfortunately, these fumes can easily enter your home and, when they don’t, they cause creosote and other harmful buildup to form in your chimney.

Unfortunately, when creosote accumulates, this too can cause smoke to form! It’s a vicious cycle, so choosing seasoned wood from the start is your best bet. Pick out pieces that are lighter in weight, dark and split at the ends, and that make a hollow sound when smacked together. All of these signs indicate it has been properly dried out, and your fire will smoke significantly less.

Is Your Flue In Need Of Repair?

If your flue needs some tuning up, you may experience drafting and smoking issues, too. Call us in for any and all of your chimney repairs. It’s always best to address these sooner, rather than later, and you can count on us to handle anything that comes our way!

Don’t Waste Time

When smoke and other harmful toxins enter your home, it can cause a lot of stress. If family members inhale these fumes, they could be facing some serious illnesses. The longer you put off repairs, the worse your issues will become. This is why it’s so important to invest in yearly inspections and regular sweepings by a CSIA certified chimney sweep. So, you can depend on the staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to set you up right!

We won’t let you down. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

Why Is My Chimney Smoking?

Why Is My Chimney Smoking?

by | Jan 24, 2017 | Smoking Chimney

If your chimney is smoking, there are many reasons why this may be occurring. Having smoke back up into your home can be a really frustrating experience, especially when all you want to do is enjoy a cozy fire. If you have issues time and time again, try out some of these methods to ensure all of your smoke goes up the chimney like it is supposed to.

Open Your Damper

Your damper should be opened all the way before starting a fire. Oftentimes, homeowners forget this step, which means the smoke has no way of escaping out the chimney! As your fire burns, you can adjust it accordingly, so that you get the most efficient burn possible.

If the damper is stuck, a good cleaning may be in order. Which leads to another reason as to why your chimney may be smoking…

Check For Build-Up

As creosote and other debris accumulate in your fireplace, blockages will start to form. The smoke will enter your living room if there is not a clean pathway for smoke to escape. If you think a cleaning is necessary, call in a professional to check things over and remove any build-up throughout the chimney. A certified tech will have all of the appropriate tools and chemicals that are necessary for a thorough and complete inspection and sweep.

Inspect Your Fuel

Burning unseasoned wood will produce much smokier fires. You should purchase wood that has been dried for at least six months (but one to two years is ideal). Or, better yet, dry your own wood, so you know you are working with the best possible fuel. Unseasoned wood burns much less efficiently and uses up a lot of energy when burning through the excess moisture. This results in more smoke output.

Check Out Your Chimney Dimensions

Chimney height, flue size, and more can all affect how well your chimney functions. A certified pro will know exactly what dimensions your set up needs to be in order to run efficiently. Schedule an inspection today, so you will know whether or not your chimney is in need of some adjusting.

Adjust Your Windows

Sometimes, all it takes is opening a window or two to help the airflow adjust accordingly. A well-insulated home is good for many reasons, but it does mean your fireplace may struggle. Air needs to circulate through your home to keep a fire running, but if not enough air can work its way back in, your fire will start smoking up the house. Opening a couple windows will help get things flowing normally.

On the opposising side, your home may not be insulated enough! Too much air can also mess up your fireplace. If this is the case for you, ensure that all windows are tightly closed, especially those on the higher levels.

Call Us!

For more chimney help, call on the staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps today!