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Austin Smoky Fireplace Troubleshooting
We Provide Smoky Fireplace Troubleshooting in Austin
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Some people claim that smoke chases them, but when you’re getting ready to enjoy a quiet evening in front of the fireplace, being hit with smoke isn’t on the agenda. But what can you do about it? Actually, quite a lot! At Wolfman Chimney & Fireplace, we provide a range of smoky fireplace troubleshooting services for your Austin area chimney. With certifications, tools, and experience, we’ll find the problem and get to the bottom of all your chimney service and repair needs.
"Our core belief is that true success comes from a balance of humility and confidence. We approach every challenge with the assurance of our skills while remaining open to learning and growth, ensuring we serve our clients with integrity and respect."
"Our core belief is that growth is essential for survival. We continuously innovate, adapt, and strive for improvement, believing that standing still means falling behind in a fast-changing world."
"Our core belief is always to help first. By prioritizing the needs of our clients and community, we build trust and long-lasting relationships, knowing that genuine service creates lasting value for everyone."
"Our core belief is always to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Integrity guides our actions, and we are committed to making choices that reflect honesty, fairness, and responsibility in every aspect of our business."
Why Does My Fireplace Smoke?
A number of issues can cause a smoking fireplace. Here are a few to consider:
Did you open your chimney damper?
A chimney damper seals your chimney when you’re not using it, keeping your home’s heat from going up the chimney. However, if you haven’t opened it, it can cause a lot of smoke. Start here, which is a fast and easy fix that you don’t need a chimney professional for.
Is your firebox too big?
When the firebox is too big for the attached flue, it produces more smoke than it can vent. You can add doors to limit how much air gets to the fire, rebuild the firebox to a more appropriate size, or install a smoke guard.
Is your chimney blocked?
If your chimney is blocked, smoke won’t be able to escape, increasing your risk of dangerous issues such as carbon monoxide poisoning or a chimney fire. A thorough cleaning will often fix this, including humane animal removal if it’s needed.
Do you have negative airflow?
A tightly-sealed home is great to save on utility bills, but it can also cause problems with your fireplace. If your fireplace doesn’t have enough air coming in, smoke backs up into your living space. A fast fix is opening a window, but for longer-term options, give us a call!
Is your flue too cold?
Though this is less of an issue in Texas, a cold flue can be a problem. If you have cold air in your chimney, it pushes the smoke back into your living area until the flue warms up. Preheat your flue by holding a burning rolled up piece of newspaper in your flue until the airflow changes.
Are you using seasoned firewood?
Your fireplace needs well-seasoned hardwood firewood to burn best and reduce creosote buildup. Make sure your firewood has been cut, split, and dried for at least six months so that it can burn more efficiently and effectively.
Do you need a new chimney cap?
A poorly-sized or -installed chimney cap can cause issues, including smoke backing up. If it’s installed improperly, it can prevent smoke and fumes from escaping your chimney system. This is a fairly easy and affordable fix.
Is your masonry damaged?
Masonry work that is cracked or damaged creates channels for smoke to enter your home from the side of the chimney wall. Unfortunately, this is only one part of the damage that masonry issues can involve, so make sure to have these issues handled quickly.
The Dangers of a Smoky Fireplace
Smoke backing up in your home is more than unpleasant, it can be downright dangerous:
- Health Risks: Not only does smoke exacerbate existing respiratory issues, but it can also cause coughing, lightheadedness, and wheezing. It also irritates your throat, eyes, and nose.
- Home Damage: Smoke often leaves a strong smell behind in your carpets, furniture, curtains, and other furnishings. It also leaves residue that discolors floors, walls, and ceilings.
- Fire Hazards: Smoke entering your house means something else is wrong with your chimney system, which can often lead to a chimney fire or house fire.
- Carbon Monoxide: When smoke enters your house, carbon monoxide enters your home. This gas is poisonous and difficult to detect, leading to deadly consequences.
Can I Troubleshooting My Smoky Austin Fireplace?
You can try some of the easy steps suggested above, and we recommend that you understand what’s causing your smoke backup so that you can safely operate your system. However, if things are much more complicated and you need help, it’s best to work with a certified chimney professional.
Though some solutions can seem like an option for a DIY project, chimney repairs need to be left to a chimney professional who understands how to fix the problem properly. If you don’t, you can face more damage and further hazards while thinking that you’re good to go.
What Do I Do When Smoke Comes Out of My Fireplace?
Immediately put the fire out. If you’re using a fire extinguisher, try to close your doors as close as possible to limit the mess. Once the fire is out, open windows and doors, and add fans if needed to remove the smoke from your home.
The next step is getting a chimney professional to check your system and find the problem. They’ll be able to make recommendations on how to best fix the problem. In the meantime, don’t use your fireplace, as the risk of more damage isn’t worth it.
Do Chimney Liner Problems Cause Smoky Fireplaces?
Chimney liners keep your fireplace system operating efficiently and safely. If it’s broken, it can cause numerous issues, including a smoky fireplace. This is because broken liners can back smoke up into your home or provide openings for smoke to otherwise enter your home through broken masonry.
Fortunately, if you have your annual inspection, the chimney professional doing your inspection can spot those issues – often much more easily than you can. Their extensive training and certification means they know how the inside of your chimney should look.
If you suspect a faulty chimney liner is causing your smoky fireplace, put out the fire and don’t use it until you have a chimney technician out to look over your system. We’ll let you know what’s going on with your system and provide a plan for fixing the problem.
Should Gas Fireplaces Smoke?
A properly-operating gas fireplace shouldn’t smoke. They will, however, produce fumes, including carbon monoxide, which can endanger your household. This means they need to be properly vented, maintained, and annually inspected by a certified chimney professional. However, gas chimneys may smell like smoke, even when they don’t produce it. Here are the top reasons why:
- New gas logs. After the manufacturing process is done, sometimes the compounds used in the process need to burn off before the scent goes away. In this situation, the scent should burn off in a couple of hours.
- Dirty gas logs or burners. When your gas logs or burners are dusty or clogged, they can create a smoke-like scent due to incomplete combustion. Thoroughly clean the logs and burners to fix the problem.
- Damage to gas logs or burners. When your burners or gas logs are damaged, they can have ventilation problems that allow smoke-like odors to enter, along with carbon monoxide. Stop using your system and get a professional to look over your system.
- Gas leaks. Though most people link gas leaks to a rotten egg smell, it can also smell smoke-like. This is a serious issue – turn off the gas, leave your home with everyone, and call the authorities to handle the situation.
- Poor ventilation. Like wood-fueled fireplaces, poor ventilation can cause odd odors to come from your gas log or gas fireplace. Have your system evaluated for draft and airflow before using it again.
Wolfman Offers Exceptional Solutions for your Austin Smoky Chimney
The issues related to a smoky chimney often need to have troubleshooting performed before a solid solution can be presented. This is because of the complexities of your chimney system, which is why it’s important to work with a certified, experienced chimney professional.
Once the team at Wolfman Chimney & Heating is able to take a look at your system, we’ll find an effective solution for your smoky chimney problems that keeps your needs and budget in mind. Give us a call today at 512-866-9917 or reach out to our team online.