Why is my fireplace smoking so much?

Question

I live in a house built in 1950, I have not had it sweept since I did not want to waste $$ if it is something else. The smoke comes in the room some and smells up the room and makes the front of the fireplace black so I do not use it.

Of course the flue thing is open.

Answer 1

check your screen at the top of your chimney it may just be cluttered with leaves and such
in the older houses a chimney sweep is a waste of money you can do the same thing with two Sterno logs just put them in light and the crud will literally fall out (not recommended for newer homes with wood framed chimneys) (unless you want to burn down your house) but for the older real brick ones.

Answer 2

Oh my! For safety sake you should have your fireplace chimney swept at least once every two years. Since you say the flue is open, there could be debris in the chimney (possibly even a bird's nest) or a build up of creosote could narrow the chimney so the smoke doesn't draft upward properly. Chimney fires can be devastating and sweeping is never, ever a waste of money.

Answer 3

Having the chimney swept is not a waste of dollars -- it's the only way you could avoid the smoke going back into the room. Because it hasn't been cleaned for a long time, the chimney's probably clogged with soot. Because it's clogged, there's no place for the smoke to go out except back down the fireplace and into your room.

Maybe you can start looking for a cheap chimney sweep service if you don't know how to do it yourself?

Answer 4

Check to make sure the flue is open. Stick you hand/arm up there to see. If it's open then you can ruled that out. Then go outside and climb up on the roof and look in the chimney. If there is a birds nest on top of it take it down.

If it still smokes after all this, then call a chimney sweep and have him check it out.

Answer 5

First check to see if the flue is opening properly.
Getting it swept is not a wast of money, if you don't get it cleaned the soot can build up and catch on fire. If that happens your house will go too, it's a safety issue.
Not optional. You should have it cleaned at least once a year.

Answer 6

Sounds to me like you should spend the money to have a chimney sweep come out and look at it. You may have a block in it also. I would light a piece of paper and see whether the smoke goes up the chimney well before you have another fire.

Answer 7

Chimney needs to be cleaned, it should be cleaned or at least checked two to three times a burning season. The damper will adjust the amount of smoke coming into the house.

Answer 8

There is a lever you have to open called the flue. Look up near the chimney opening and pull. That should do it.

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

Your chimney needs sweeping now, it will catch fire if you neglect this, I am an ex firefighter, and have seen the consequences of people who neglect this to save money.