9 Causes of a Fireplace Draft Problems (Homeowners Guide)

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Learn about the most common causes for fireplace draft problems and how you can fix them.

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Fireplace draft problems are a common issue that can occur in any home with a fireplace. Drafting is how well air flows in and out of your fireplace. It ensures that your fireplace has proper ventilation and that smoky air isn’t seeping into your home.

But if your fireplace draft isn’t working correctly, it can cause a fireplace to smoke or even backdraft. In this article, we’ll discuss nine common causes of fireplace draft problems and how to fix them.

What Causes Fireplace Draft Problems?

There are a few different things that can cause fireplace draft problems. The most common causes are:

1. Temperature Difference

A temperature difference is when the temperature outside is significantly colder than the temperature inside your home. This causes a pressure difference between the two areas, which forces air to travel from the warmer area (your home) to the cooler area (outside).

The negative pressure will pull cold air into your home from outside, making your fireplace smoke. In some cases, the fireplace may even cause a backdraft.

Prevention Tips

To solve this issue, ensure your fireplace is properly insulated. You can do this by installing fireplace doors or a fireplace insert.

2. Chimney Location

If the chimney is too close to the house, the warm air inside your home can heat the chimney and cause fireplace drafting problems.

There’s also the drink threw a straw analogy. The fireplace is like the straw, and your home is the cup. When a straw has holes, it’s hard to drink from it.

If your chimney has cracks or gaps, your draft won’t be able to facilitate proper airflow, and you’ll get smoke and soot in your home.

Moreover, suppose your chimney is exposed to the elements outside the house. In that case, it may be considerably chillier than usual, which prevents the flue gases from cooling and allowing for a draft suction.

Prevention Tips

You can do a few things to prevent fireplace draft problems caused by the chimney’s location.

  • First, you can make sure that the chimney is at least 10 feet away from your home.
  • You can also insulate the chimney to keep it from getting too cold.
  • Finally, you should check for cracks and gaps regularly and seal them up as soon as you find them.

3. Airflow Issue

The most common culprits of airflow problems are:

  • Ashes: Too many ashes in your fireplace can block the airflow and prevent proper drafting from occurring.
  • Debris: Leaves, twigs, and other debris can also get caught in your fireplace and block the airflow.
  • Creosote: If there’s too much creosote buildup in your fireplace, it can restrict the airflow and cause fireplace draft problems.

When our homes are air-tight and insulated, this can also limit the fireplace draft. The fireplace has to share the same air supply as the home, and if there’s not enough airflow, it can cause fireplace drafting problems.

Prevention Tips

  • Clean out your fireplace and chimney at least once a year to remove any creosote buildup.
  • Install a fireplace insert or doors to help improve the airflow in your fireplace.

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4. Wrong Flue Size

The flue liner is the pipe that goes from your fireplace to the outside. It’s essential for proper venting of fireplace gases. If the flue is too small, it can cause fireplace draft problems.

The correct flue size should be at least one-tenth the size of your fireplace opening. So, if your fireplace is 10 square feet, the flue should be at least one square foot. This is to ensure that the fireplace has enough airflow.

Prevention Tips

  • Schedule an annual chimney inspection to ensure the flue is the correct size and in good condition.
  • Open the damper all the way when using your fireplace.

5. Cold Chimney Flue

A cold chimney flue means the fireplace gases aren’t hot enough to rise the chimney and escape. This can come from different things, including:

  • Wet wood
  • Improperly seasoned wood
  • An improper fire laying technique

These factors can cause the fireplace gases to be cooler than they should be, preventing proper drafting.

Prevention Tips

To avoid a cold chimney flue, make sure to:

  • Use dry, seasoned wood
  • Place burning cardboard or paper inside your firebox, right under the flue, until the draft reverses to flow correctly up and out of the chimney
  • Stack the wood properly in the fireplace

6. Strong Wind

Wind can contribute positively or negatively to fireplace draft. If the wind blows in the right direction, it can help draft the fireplace gases up and out of the chimney.

However, if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, it can block the fireplace gases from escaping and cause fireplace draft problems. Strong wind can be a significant fireplace drafting issue, especially in the wrong direction.

Prevention Tips

  • Install a wind guard and fireplace screen like a chimney cowl to help block the wind blowing into the fireplace opening.
  • Make sure the fireplace flue is open before lighting a fire.
  • Build a smaller fire if strong winds are blowing.

7. The Chimney’s Height

A chimney should be 3 feet higher than the point it enters a roof and at least 2 feet taller than any portion of a structure within 10 feet of it.

The height of the chimney is essential for proper drafting to occur. If the chimney is too short, the fireplace gases may not be able to rise high enough and escape. And if it’s too tall, the fireplace gases may rise too quickly and cause a backdraft.

Prevention Tips

  • Make sure the chimney is the right height.
  • Inspect the chimney regularly for blockages.
  • Keep the fireplace and chimney clean.

8. Blocked Chimney Flue

The following are the common causes of a blocked chimney flue:

  • Creosote buildup: Over time, the fireplace gases can leave behind a sticky residue called creosote. If there’s too much creosote buildup, it can block the chimney flue and prevent proper drafting from occurring.
  • Debris: Leaves, twigs, and other debris can also get caught in your chimney and block the fireplace gases from escaping.
  • Missing or damaged chimney cap: The chimney cap is the metal cover that sits at the top of the chimney. It prevents birds, debris, and water from entering the chimney. If it’s missing or damaged, it can cause fireplace draft problems.
  • Animals: Birds, raccoons, and other animals can sometimes make their way into the chimney and block the fireplace gases from escaping.

Prevention Tips

  • Clean your fireplace and chimney regularly: To prevent creosote buildup and blockages, you must clean them regularly.
  • Have your chimney inspected annually: An annual inspection can help identify potential problems before they become an issue.
  • Repair or replace damaged chimney components: If any parts of your chimney are damaged, they should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
  • Install a chimney cap: A chimney cap can help prevent animals and debris from entering the chimney and causing fireplace draft problems.

9. Burning Green or Wet Wood

Green wood is unseasoned wood that still contains moisture. When you burn green wood, the water inside turns to steam and escapes out of the fireplace, taking heat with it.

Wet wood is simply wood that hasn’t been able to dry properly. Like green wood, when you burn wet wood, the water becomes steam and escapes out the fireplace.

Burning green or wet wood is one of the leading causes of fireplace drafting issues. If you’re having trouble with the fireplace draft, check the type of wood you’re burning.

Prevention Tips

  • Only burn dry, seasoned wood in your fireplace.
  • If you can’t find dry wood, try using a fireplace insert or wood stove.
  • Use a moisture meter to check the moisture content of your wood.

If you’re still having trouble with fireplace drafts, contact a fireplace professional for help. They can diagnose the problem and recommend the best solution.

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What Are the Dangers of a Chimney Draft Problem?

A fireplace draft problem can be more than just a nuisance. Several potential dangers can occur if professionals don’t address the issue.

1. Cold Air Fireplace Problem

The first potential danger is that a fireplace draft can cause the fireplace to draw in cold air from outside. This can quickly extinguish the fire, leaving you with a cold fireplace, which will lead to a cold house and can affect the family’s health.

2. Chimney Backdraft Problems

When your fireplace draft isn’t working correctly, the hot fireplace gases are also not rising perfectly. These gases can get trapped in your chimney and start to build up. This can create a dangerous situation called a chimney backdraft.

A chimney backdraft can cause the fireplace gases to explode out of the fireplace and into your home. This can be very dangerous, so it’s essential to know the signs of a chimney backdraft.

3. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

When the fireplace gases are not vented properly, they can build up in the home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. If you suspect a fireplace draft problem, it’s essential to fix it immediately. Carbon monoxide detectors can also help alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in your home.

4. Fire Hazards

The purpose of a fireplace draft is to keep the fireplace gases moving up and out of the fireplace.

When the fireplace draft is not working correctly, these gases can start to build up in the fireplace. This can create a fire hazard, as the gases are flammable.

Learn about the most common causes for fireplace draft problems and how you can fix them.
fireplace draft problems are a common issue that can occur in any home with a fireplace.

5. Soot and Smoke Damage

Finally, a fireplace draft problem can cause soot and smoke damage to your home and health. When the fireplace gases are not vented properly, they can escape into your home and cause soot and smoke damage.

How Much Draft Should a Chimney Have?

According to wood stove manufacturers, the chimney height should not be less than 15′. Based on their trials, a size of 15′ is when you will start to have an ideal draft.

Several factors can affect how much draft a chimney should have. The size, the type of fireplace, and the weather conditions can all play a role in determining the amount of draft needed.

A stronger draft will occur if there is more distance between the fire and the outside cold air.

Conclusion

If you’re having trouble with your fireplace draft, it’s essential to fix it immediately. Several dangers are associated with a fireplace draft problem, including carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards.

A fireplace professional can help diagnose the problem and recommend the best solution. In most cases, the best solution is to burn dry, seasoned wood in your fireplace to maintain a good fireplace draft.

If you have trouble with fireplace drafts, contact a fireplace professional for help. You can be sure they can diagnose the problem and recommend the best solution.

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Thomas Green

Thomas Green

Thomas has worked in the Chimney & Fireplace field for over 12 years. He is an expert in his trade and loves to help People with their needs. Thomas Write helpful articles so that homeowners can make the most informed decisions about their fireplace and chimney.