Enjoying a warm climate during winter days in our home is extremely pleasant and, in places where it is very cold, necessary. To achieve this, we can resort to different heating systems, such as oil-fired boilers, stoves, and, of course, the fireplace.
The fireplace is one of the preferred by many, but sometimes we face a problem when using it: it smokes inside the house. But don’t worry, today we will explain why this happens and how you can solve it with a few simple tricks.
Why does your chimney smoke
There are many different types of fireplaces on the market, but regardless of how they work, they must be properly designed to release the smoke caused by combustion outside the home. Otherwise, we are facing a major problem.
But, before looking for solutions, let’s see what causes the chimney to smoke in our house:
- The chimney does not fit well in its location. The first thing to remember is that to work properly, it is necessary to adapt the flue and the flue outlet to fit correctly in the opening.
- Pipe too wide or too narrow. If the pipe size is incorrect, we can also encounter problems, as the smoke will blow back into the house.
- The smoke extractor is broken. If it is a new chimney, it may not have been installed correctly. In contrast, if it is old, perhaps the extractor has deteriorated due to time and weather, causing certain malfunctions in its operation.
These are usually the most common reasons, although if you have any doubts, we recommend contacting a specialist who can offer you a professional opinion.
3 tricks to keep your chimney smoke-free
Now that you know the causes that can lead to this problem, you must take note of the practices you can carry out to avoid them.
1. Clean your chimney properly
As we have seen above, sometimes, smoke problems with chimneys are caused by poor maintenance of the same, which ends up causing the accumulation of debris and breakage of the parts. That is why you must clean it well every time you use it, not only by removing the ashes but also with the help of a brush to remove all the residues accumulated during combustion.
In addition, it is also important to check regularly that all parts are working properly to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.
2. Use good firewood
The fuel we use is also something that can have a direct influence on how our chimney releases smoke. That is why we must be clear that, in order to burn, firewood must meet two very clear conditions:
- To be dry. Indoor humidity can never exceed 20%.
- Do not contain too much resin. This happens with some varieties, such as pine, which tend to cause a greater excess of smoke when lighting the fireplace.
One of the best alternatives to burn in our fireplace is oak wood, although many other possibilities are within our reach.
3. Be careful when lighting your fireplace
Lighting the fireplace in one way or another can also play a role in reducing smoke generation. That’s why we’re going to give you some tips.
- Use ignition tablets to start the fire instead of paper. In this way, you will already be causing less smoke.
- Use small branches. The best option to start a fire in a fireplace is to use small branches to generate those embers that we will later use as a base to burn other larger logs.
- Let the coals cook well. Especially before including a large piece of firewood; otherwise, you will generate more smoke.
As you can see, keeping our chimney from releasing human waste that could bother our neighbors or us is relatively simple. We must apply a series of good practices and take care of its maintenance. We hope these tips have helped you learn more about it.