I have a wood-burning fireplace, and most of the time the smoke does what its supposed to do and heads right up the chimney. But how do I reverse the draft when I light a fire and all the smoke comes pouring out into the living room? I rent a townhouse and I'm not going to invest any money in a place I don't own, so one of those chimney cap things isn't really an option. Thanks for any help you can give me!
2006-12-01 06:22:04 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Is the flue open? That's the lever inside the top of the fireplace - you can reach it with your hand, and if it's closed you won't feel air coming in, when it's open you should feel a draft.
Next, has it been cleaned this year? Chimneys need to be cleaned; ask your rental agency when it last was. This is for safety!
Finally, sometimes I just roll up some newspaper into a 'branch', light it, and hold it up in the chimney from inside the fire. This works sometimes to help draw the smoke up.
2006-12-01 06:26:35 · answer #1 · answered by Cobalt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you open a window to let some air into your room it may help. You may also try and start the draft by lighting a paper torch and holding it into the chimney opening to get some warm air moving up and out the chimney as you go to start the fire.
My thoughts!
2006-12-01 14:28:00 · answer #2 · answered by MB Funtry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All these are good answers, but I hope you have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
If the smoke isn't going up the chimney, the CO may not be either, which can be deadly.
2006-12-01 14:35:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jerry J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a guy check the pitch of your flu.
Start only a small fire at first to be sure.
2006-12-01 14:27:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be a lever on the side; switch it the opposite way.
2006-12-01 14:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by Big Mac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋