Chimney Draft Problems: Causes and Solutions

For everyone with a fireplace, having a functioning chimney draft is essential to safe, efficient burning. A chimney draft is essentially the process of heat rising and fresh air coming in to feed a fire, and in that process, a suction is created that pulls the smoke out of your home. Chimney draft problems can affect how your fireplace functions.

When you think about what makes a fire, you need fuel (this can be anything that burns), heat, and oxygen. When the oxygen is somehow impacted, whether by temperature differences or another cause, it can affect the overall draft, creating airflow issues. This can create problems with smoke backing up into the home, and it can also make it difficult to start a fire or create issues while burning.  

You might not realize you have a draft problem, but if you’re noticing strong smoky odors inside your home and a quicker-than-normal creosote buildup, you might have one. Another strong indicator of a draft problem is if you experience fires that are difficult to start or keep burning, or, worse, a backdraft when lighting a fire. There are common, identifiable causes of chimney draft problems, which can be remedied with practical solutions.

Common Causes of Chimney Draft Problems

There are a few reasons why chimney draft problems occur. Some of them are byproducts of the winter season, and others are issues that can be quickly and easily remedied. Others, however, are more complex and require professional intervention.

Causes With Simple Solutions

Sometimes, chimney draft problems arise because of animals or birds building nests in your chimney, which blocks airflow. Additionally, if you don’t have a chimney cap, leaves, small branches, and other debris can be blown into your chimney, creating blockages.

The solution is easy: remove whatever is blocking your chimney. Contact your local, certified chimney sweep, like Valley Chimney Sweeps, which is certified by both the National Chimney Sweep Guild and the Chimney Safety Institute of America. One of their certified sweeps can safely inspect and clean your chimney, removing hazardous, built-up creosote, natural debris like leaves or branches, and bird or animal nests. If this were the cause of your chimney draft problems, this should solve the airflow issues.

It is important not to be tempted to remove these items, especially creosote, because it is a dangerous compound and you likely do not have the tools to reach all of it. Creosote build-up is extremely hazardous and flammable, posing a home fire risk if left. 

Other times, you may experience airflow issues because your chimney is cold. This is common in extreme temperatures and at the start of the season. You can warm your chimney by burning seasoned kindling and keeping the damper fully open so the heat in your home helps warm it. Once it warms up, you should not have the chimney draft problems. 

Complicated Chimney Draft Problems

While the aforementioned chimney draft problems are easily remedied, airflow issues might be caused by larger issues that require reconstruction or parts replacement, often at a high cost.

If you’re experiencing problems with smoke backing up, you may have negative air pressure in your home, which is common when a home has whole-house fans, dryers, or exhaust fans competing for air. It might be wise to have your HVAC system checked to see why it’s requiring so much air.

Chimney draft problems that arise due to issues with construction are never something a homeowner wants to hear. But it happens more commonly than most would realize. Some builders don’t consult chimney professionals and build a chimney too short to generate enough draft, leaving you with airflow issues. 

Similarly, rooflines or other architectural features may also inhibit airflow. And worst case, they design a fireplace with a flue that is too large or too small for the appliance, or don’t install the liner correctly. These are major issues that will require reconstruction.

Another issue that requires some investment but isn’t anywhere near as severe as a reconstruction is a damaged or malfunctioning damper. Over time, dampers can rust or become warped, especially if there isn’t a chimney cap, which can make them get stuck shut or not open all the way. In this case, the damper would need to be inspected and, if necessary, replaced or repaired to eliminate the chimney draft problems.

Practical Solutions for Chimney Draft Issues

The good news is that there is a solution for all chimney draft problems; it just depends on how complex the problem is. The first step in resolving problems with smoke backing up is having a certified chimney professional come out and take a good look at your fireplace and chimney. They can identify problems and remove dangerous creosote, which often causes obstructions.
Annual chimney inspections and cleanings will help keep your chimney working efficiently and safely, and identify issues before they become major problems. Regular maintenance checks can also identify maintenance needs so you can enjoy your fireplace for years to come without worry or issues.

Always be sure to burn properly seasoned wood, as green wood or other materials can cause excess creosote that is not only dangerous and causes airflow problems, but it is also a huge hazard, both from toxic fumes and from the fire hazard it presents. Creosote is highly flammable and can ignite in your chimney walls when smoke tries to escape, causing a home fire.

Finally, if your home’s fireplace doesn’t have a chimney cap or liner, it might be time to have one installed, as it can prevent problems with debris or nest materials from becoming a repeat problem. Overall, chimney caps help maintain consistent airflow.

Improve Ventilation and Warm Up Your Chimney

You can remedy some chimney draft problems simply by warming up your chimney and improving ventilation within your home.

As previously mentioned, warming the chimney before lighting a fire can help get the air flowing and create the draft needed for a properly burning fire. The key is to gradually heat the flue using seasoned kindling.

You can improve home ventilation by reducing competing airflow. For example, powering off the whole-house fan or other competing HVAC appliances, like exhaust fans, can help eliminate that problem. Additionally, slightly cracking a window can help feed the fire to help it burn evenly and grow.

Make Needed Repairs or Replacements

No one wants to undergo a major construction project, but sometimes it is necessary to have a safe, cozy fire burning efficiently in your fireplace. With a proper inspection, you’ll know if you need to replace your damper (or repair a component). Taking that action can help eliminate airflow issues and chimney draft problems. 

Additionally, having a chimney professional evaluate your fireplace and chimney, inspect it, and clean it can reveal issues that need to be remedied in order to use your fireplace. Sometimes extending a masonry chimney isn’t that big of a task. Your chimney inspector can let you know if your fireplace’s chimney meets the 3-2-10 rule for chimney height established by the National Fire Protection Association’s standards for chimneys.

If your damper isn’t working properly, it may be time to replace a part or have the unit replaced. Ensuring your damper is functioning properly, by checking to make sure it opens fully and seals properly, is essential to having a properly functioning fireplace and to avoiding chimney draft problems.

Have Chimney Draft Problems? Call a Certified Chimney Professional

If you’re experiencing airflow issues or chimney draft problems, it’s time to call in a professional. Valley Chimney Sweep is a family-owned chimney cleaning and inspection business with multiple generations serving the far west suburbs of Chicago since 1978. Contact us today to schedule your inspection and cleaning!