Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

How to Start a Fire with Less Smoke

Sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold day can be one of life’s simplest pleasures. Even the most idyllic scenes in front of the fireplace can be interrupted by smoke blowing back into the room.

Many homeowners are baffled by what causes excessive smoking in the fireplaces, choosing instead to avoid using their fireplaces altogether or switch to an alternative fuel source. However, there are a number of ways to reduce the amount of smoke starting a fire causes, most of which can be easily implemented the next time you build a fire.

Use seasoned firewood

Using seasoned firewood is one of the easiest ways homeowners can reduce the amount of smoke their fires produce. Fresh cut firewood can have a moisture content of as high as 45%. This water must be evaporated out of the wood before it can burn; fresh cut wood will often make loud popping sounds and smoke excessively. Seasoned firewood, on the other hand, has a moisture content of between 15-20%. The reduced moisture content allows the wood to ignite faster, burn hotter, and produce less smoke.

Build a top down fire

Most people grew up with or were taught the “log cabin” style of creating a fire, which involves stacking the wood with the smallest sticks and kindling at the bottom. While this method does end with a fire, it can be a frustrating process. Large logs shift and fall on the small fire, lots of smoke is produced, and homeowners are forced to tend and stoke the fire often to get it started.

In the top down method, the largest logs should be stacked at the bottom of the firebox with the ends at the front and back. Placing wood this way allows better air circulation through the fire. Next, continue stacking gradually smaller pieces until about half the firebox is filled, topping the stack with wood shavings, small sticks, or other kindling. As the kindling ignites, it will warm the flue and continue to ignite the wood underneath it. This means that homeowners no longer need to stoke or tend the fire and there is less smoke produced.

Open the damper

While this may seem obvious, some homeowners do not open the damper when they are trying to start a fire, falsely believing downdrafts from the chimney will extinguish their fledgling fire. Instead, keep the damper open the entire time your fireplace is in use, including while staring the fire and while waiting for it to completely extinguish. Closing the damper at any time may cause smoke to backup into the room.

Avoid fires on windy days

On an extremely windy day, there is often little you can do to avoid smoke blowing back into the room. If you can hear the wind “whistling” in or rattling the chimney, even the best technique may not prevent a smoky fire.

Call a chimney sweep

If you’ve tried the above techniques and are still having issues with smoky fires, you may need the assistance of a certified chimney sweep. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, our highly trained expert staff can help identify the cause of your smoking issues and get you back to enjoying your fireplace again!

I Think my Chimney is Leaking!

In addition to hearing a dripping sound, there are many signs that may indicate that your chimney is leaking. You may notice that your fireplace develops a musty smell, especially after rain or snow. You may also notice water in the firebox or drips on the walls or ceiling. You might even see that pieces of the brick, mortar, or masonry of your chimney are cracked, chipping, or falling apart. All of these are symptoms that your chimney has developed a leak.

Luckily, a leaky chimney or water damage does not have to mean your chimney is unusable. By identifying the source or the leak, stopping the water entry, and repairing any damage the water caused, your fireplace and chimney can continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

What causes chimneys to leak?

Because chimneys are complex structures with many different components, finding the source of a leak can sometimes be difficult. However, once you notice that your chimney is letting water in it is important to find and stop the leak as soon as possible to prevent costly or extensive damage.

One of the most common causes of water entry is an uncapped chimney or a damaged chimney cap. When there is nothing covering the entrance to the top of the flue water from rain, hail, sleet, and snow are all able to enter the chimney. Likewise, cracks or damage to the chimney crown can also cause leaking and water entry.

Another way that water can get in is if the chimney flashing has lost its watertight seal. The flashing, or the sealant that connects the chimney to the roof, can lose its seal due to age, damage, improper installation, or even the house structure settling. Flashing that was nailed in may even allow trace amounts of water in through the area surrounding the nail holes.

Can my leaky chimney be fixed?

Once the cause of the chimney leak has been identified, the cause of the leak as well as any damage the leaking has caused should be able to be repaired. For homes with a damaged or missing chimney cap, installing a new cap will protect your chimney from water entry as well as prevent animals or debris from falling into the flue. Chimney crowns can also be patched, sealed, or replaced to prevent water entry into your home.

If damaged or aging flashing is the cause of the leaking, it should be replaced as soon as possible. As flashing protects both the chimney and the roof from water entry, leaky flashing can also cause damage to the ceiling, framing, or roof below.

How to prevent a leaky chimney

One of the best ways to prevent water damage is by having your chimney inspected annually. A yearly chimney inspection  will alert you to any changes or damage to your fireplace system. These inspections often uncover small problems that can be quickly and inexpensively fixed before their turn into large and costly issues.

If you suspect that your chimney is leaking, the best thing you can do is call a certified chimney sweep to assess the condition of your chimney. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan we perform a 25 point leak inspection in order to find and fix the areas of water entry. Let our expert staff stop your leaking chimney today!