Why Does Smoke Come Out of My Fireplace?

Although an open flame inside a house seems like a great danger, modern fireplaces are really no more hazardous than any other heating system you might have installed in your home. Fireplaces are constructed with insulation that confines the spread of heat, and ventilation that keeps any exhaust away from your living spaces. You should only get cozy warmth from your hearth.

However, like any heating system, a fireplace will sometimes need repairs. One of the clearest signs of this is when smoke comes out of the hearth and into places where it does not belong. This means something is wrong with the ventilation that is supposed to remove the smoke and you will need professional chimney repair technicians to look into the problem. Call Celco Heating and Air Conditioning for fast and effective fireplace repair and other heating services in Westport, CT.

Here Are Some Reasons Your Fireplace Smoke is Leaking Into Your Westport Home

Creosote build-up

The most common problem that wood-burning fireplaces face is creosote, the black shiny substance that starts to develop across the hearth and chimney. Creosote is residue from incomplete burning of wood, it is highly flammable. If creosote grows too thickly in your chimney, it will make it harder to properly vent the smoke from your fire. You need to have it professionally cleaned.

Cracking

The lining inside your chimney traps the smoke and heat so it goes nowhere except up and to the outside. If the bricks and mortar start to deteriorate (often because moisture seeping inside), cracks will develop that will permit smoke to start seeping out to places it shouldn’t. Eventually, fire could start escaping as well, so have the chimney repaired as soon as possible.

Broken damper

A damaged damper can become stuck in place. This will block off the flue and send smoke back through the fireplace. The damage can be warping, corrosion, or mechanical failure like a broken counter weight. If you’re unsure about how to fix the damper, call in professionals: you don’t want to take chances. Make certain that your fireplace is a source of joy and warmth for you this season, and not a source of concern.

When smoke starts to enter your home from your fireplace, take action and call for fireplace repair in Westport, CT.

Celco Heating and Air Conditioning has worked on fireplaces since 1976; let us put that experience to work for you.