FAQ:
Q: My fireplace smokes when I use it. What causes that?
A: Is your damper open? If it is and the smoking continues, open a nearby window a crack for a minute or two until the fire is going well - then you can close it again. If it just smokes when you light the fire, it may be because the flue is cold. Did you warm the flue with burning rolled up newspaper held in the damper region? (If not, that usually works.)
If the Chimney continues to smoke, call a chimney professional. Your chimney may be clogged by animal nests or an accumulation of soot and creosote, or it may have additional problems.
Q: What causes chimney odors?
A: The sour, sickly odor is the smell of creosote. The solution is to call a chimney professional to clean your chimney and install a chimney cap to prevent water from entering and reacting with the creosote. Your chimney professional can also recommend a good chimney deodorant to handle any remaining odor which has been absorbed into the masonry.
Q: How can I prevent creosote buildup?
A: Slow smoldering fires and/or the use of unseasoned woood can create "cool" smoke and weak draft. Under these conditions the smoke condenss and sticks to the chimney's interior, forming highly flammable creosote. The answer is to burn small hot fires, with hardwood which minimizes creosote accumulation. and maximize heat output.
Q: How can I burn more efficiently?
A: Keep fires burning hot with flames, not smoldering with alot o smoke. Be careful not to add too much firewood. In a fireplace, keep the top of the flames visisble below the fireplace opening. In a woodstove, keep the flames confined to the woodstove itself. With glass doors, keep the doors wide open with the screen closed for a good half hour after starting the fire. When you see the fire is burning well, close the doors and set any draft controls. Its better to add smaller loads more often than to cram in alot of wood trying to get an all-day burn. When your ready to put out a fire, seperate the logs by moving them to the sideof the fireplace or stand them on end in hte back of the fireplace. Close the screen or glass doors tightly, but don't close the damper untill you're sure the fire and coals are completely out.
Q: How do I avoid having a chimney fire?
A: Creosote is the main cause of chimney fires. A buildup of creosoteis highly combustible and can result in a chimney fire. To minimize creosote:
Burn only seasoned woods.
Do not burn trash in a fireplace or woodstove.
Dont allow the fire to smolder.
Contact your chimney professionalto clean your chimney regularly.
