6 Reasons your Fireplace isn’t Working

How many times have you tried to light a fire in your home, and only came out with either a room full of smoke or a fire that just won’t light? When it’s a cold, winter day, the last thing you want to worry about is a fireplace that won’t work. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of the 6 most common reasons your fireplace isn’t working, so you can know how to properly use your fireplace and resolve issues when they arise:

1. The Damper isn’t Fully Open: A fireplace damper is located in the throat of a masonry chimney and is designed to seal your fireplace shut when it is not being used- This prevents the heat in your home from escaping up the chimney. One reason your fireplace may not be working properly is if you forget to open the damper back up when the fireplace is being put to use again. If it is closed, not enough air can escape, resulting in a fire that doesn’t burn efficiently. However, sometimes even if you do remember to open the damper back up, something is preventing it from being fully opened. This may happen when there is water damage or a buildup of soot behind the damper. If this is the case, a professional chimney sweep will need to come in to perform a thorough cleaning of your fireplace.

2. The Chimney is Dirty: We all know that chimneys can accumulate soot and buildup and affect the way our chimneys and fireplaces perform. Sometimes the buildup can become so bad that it can restrict the flue, and prevent the proper airflow needed for our fireplaces to work. Even birds and small animals can mistake your chimney for a hollow tree and decide to nest there, leaving twigs, leaves, and other debris behind. If you’re worried that your fireplace may not be working appropriately due to a dirty chimney, contact your local chimney sweep, as they have the expert knowledge to remove these animals and perform a cleaning. If animals are the issue, your chimney sweep may also need to install a chimney cap, which will block these animals from entering back in.

3. The Chimney Flue isn’t the Right Size: It’s important that your flue is the right size to fit your fireplace opening. As a general rule of thumb, your fireplace opening should be no more than 10 times the area of the chimney flue. If a chimney flue isn’t large enough, it won’t be able to handle the amount of smoke produced and can lead to back puffing. Many of the fireplaces that have been built in homes in the last 20 years meet these specifications. However, older fireplaces may need to be fixed by a professional.

4. You’re Using the Wrong Firewood: The only type of wood that you should be burning in your fireplace is seasoned wood. Seasoned wood has been dried, allowing it to burn more efficiently. However, many people make the mistake of using unseasoned firewood, which is firewood that wasn’t seasoned or allowed to fully dry. Unseasoned firewood typically looks green in color, with firm bark and no cracks, and can even appear wet. This makes it harder for fires to light as the energy is being used to remove the moisture from the wood rather than produce heat to warm your home. Burning wood this way is an inefficient use of your firewood and can end up costing you more money in the long run.

5. Your Chimney isn’t Tall Enough: For proper function of your fireplace, your chimney should be at least 10 to 12 feet tall. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the part of the chimney that projects from the roof should be at least 3 feet tall. If a chimney is too short, the wind will negatively impact the fireplace and it will not be able to draft correctly. Another way you can tell if your chimney is too short is if you catch your fireplace smoking or your fire temporarily dies down. This creates a safety hazard and can affect the air quality of your home and increase your risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

6. Your Home is too Tight: Fires need a lot of air volume to be able to burn. Many modern homes are built to be well-insulated to keep cold air out. However, this also reduces the amount of air available for fires to burn correctly. When fires can’t burn right, they can begin to produce smoke in the home, and can also cause the formation of carbon monoxide. A temporary solution would be to open a window or door to allow more airflow into the home

If you’re experiencing issues with your fireplace, it’s important that you contact your local chimney sweep to come in to diagnose the problem and offer a solution. As a chimney service company in the western suburbs of Chicago, we know a thing or two about fireplace maintenance. We hold the title of the longest-running continually Certified Chimney Sweep in the U.S and are the founders of the Illinois Chimney Sweep Guild. Our team is well-equipped to reduce fire hazards and make your chimney safer to use. Our goal is to ensure that your family can safely enjoy the perks of a warm, cozy fire. If you suspect you need fireplace repairs or a fireplace cleaning, look no further than Valley Chimney. Contact us today!