Sometimes when we light a fire in the wood burning fireplace, smoke comes into the rooms. My husband never smells it, but I can literally see it settling in the corners of the rooms fartherest from the fireplace. It doesn't do this everytime, but I am thinking mostly when it is raining outside and esp. if there is much wind. I was thinking that maybe the smoke has a tendency to come into the house when someone leaves a door cracked (although i can tell it doesn't come in from the outside.) I figure there must be a logical answer. Thanks for any ideas.
2007-01-27 10:04:52 · 10 answers · asked by DT 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
What is happening is very typical. Even with the flue open, until the fire gets going and is really hot, the chimney just doesn't draw very well. This is especially true during windy conditions. Plus, even with closed doors your central A/C unit comes on and creates a vacuum that draws air to it. Naturally, the open flue is like an open door or window and the path of least resistance and a back-draft is created. That is why wood-burning fireplaces are the least energy efficient feature is a house. That is why I installed gas fireplace in my new home. It is energy efficient and doesn't smoke up my house. Good luck.
2007-01-27 10:29:23 · answer #1 · answered by Turnhog 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there is a venting problem, smoke would tend to come in more when there is low barometric pressure in the atmosphere (rain). Keep in mind also that smoke leaving the chimney will stay low (no float away as readily) in low barometric pressure situations. I would have a chimney sweep sweep the chimney to ensure that the fireplace is not becomming clogged. Be sure the damper is completely opened. Finally, the tip of the chimney (or chimney extension) should extend beyond the highest surrounding point of the roof to get the proper draft. If the smoke tends to come into the house when a door is open, it sounds like there is resistence(clog) in the chimney or poor chimney draft (exterior vacuum). Some causes can be dangerous. Check the damper 1st (the metal flap to open and close the chimney vent, located just inside the fireplace where the fireplace meets the chimney - it normally has a lever allowing it to be opened and closed).
2007-01-27 11:36:20 · answer #2 · answered by Marc T 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some chimney's just will not draw correctly every time. i have had 3 houses, with fireplaces, 2 would not draw during certain weather conditions just like yours, rain, windy overcast day, it would smoke up the house.
the solution is get a wood burning stove that goes in your fireplace. you can keep the door closed and prevent the smoke from getting into your house, and you still get the heat. on days when the chimney is drawing good, leave the door open whereyou can see the fire. my wood stove has glass in the door , so i can see the fire with door closed.
i love my wood stove, burns less wood, doesnt smoke up the house, is safer less chance of catching house on fire, has blower that distributes the hot air.
some people will suggest build your chimney taler, open windows, create a draft. none of this will work, i have tried it all. either have fire on cold clear days only, or get a wood stove.
2007-01-27 10:21:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
More than likely the smoke is coming from a down draft in your flue.If your flue is not as high as it should be there is always a tendency to get down drafts, especially when there is wind. Also first lighting the fireplace before the flue has warmed up sufficiently to draw good you can experience some smoke in the room. You may want to use something to give you a quick blast of heat on the first to warm the flue up quicker that will ensure that it draws much better. you may have to consider not using it on the windy days to avoid down draft.Wood contains many more harmful emissions than most other fuels.
2007-01-27 10:17:15 · answer #4 · answered by ED D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we never have a fire when it's windy out- the smoke is guaranteed to come in the house. Rain is fine as long as it's not windy. Make sure that your fireplace is cleaned once a year.
2007-01-27 10:44:17 · answer #5 · answered by Helena 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard of paranormal activity where people smell things in haunted houses. Sometimes it is like the perfume of the ghost, or the smell of a food. How old is the house? EDIT - Call the county property appraiser's office. They can tell you when the house was built.
2016-05-24 06:36:32 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure damper is wide open. Heat the chimney before building the big fire.
2007-01-27 10:07:52 · answer #7 · answered by up y 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might need your chimney cleaned
2007-01-27 10:36:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
open the flew all the way and dont have any windows or doors open
2007-01-27 10:09:10 · answer #9 · answered by therernonameleft 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you open the damper?!?!
2007-01-27 10:13:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋