Fireplace Problems That Affect Performance

A fireplace should be something that brings you comfort, joy, and value. However, some issues make using a fireplace so frustrating that many people run their home heaters instead. At Fire N’ Stone, we know how challenging it is to use a fireplace that’s not functioning correctly. This article details the most common issues affecting fireplace performance and what you can do about them.

Creosote Buildup

When you burn wood in the fireplace, it creates combustion byproducts that travel up the chimney. One of these byproducts is creosote, which happens when the smoke cools and condenses.

Creosote buildup develops in three stages.

• At the first stage, creosote forms a dust-like coating along the chimney walls. Creosote isn’t dangerous during this stage and is easily cleaned with chimney sweeping.
• At the second stage, the flakes become thicker and more tar-like. Removing creosote at stage two typically requires the help of a skilled chimney sweep service.
• The last stage is where creosote is the most dangerous because it forms a thick, sticky coating along the interior chimney lining. The reason it’s so dangerous at the third stage is that it’s highly flammable.

Not only does creosote buildup create a dangerous situation that can lead to a chimney fire, but as the substance gets thicker, it reduces airflow, making it more challenging to keep your fire going. Also, restricted airflow can cause the smoke and gasses to flow back into your house, putting your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Pest Infestation

Birds, mice, squirrels, raccoons, and other critters love to set up their homes inside chimneys. And while this might seem charming to some, it’s a serious issue that will affect your fireplace’s performance if not dealt with. Nesting pests create obstructions placing you at risk of carbon monoxide gas and smoke backing up in your house. Also, when the flue is obstructed, your fireplace doesn’t get adequate airflow, which impedes performance and efficiency.

Other Obstructions

Critter nests aren’t the only things that can block the flue and stop your fireplace from running as intended. If trees hang over your house, leaves and twigs can drop down into the chimney, get stuck, and block the airflow. Even if you have a chimney cap to prevent debris from getting in your chimney, sometimes garbage like plastic bags wrap around the cap and cause problems, which is why routine maintenance and inspections are so crucial.

Low-Quality Firewood

The primary key to having a warm, efficient fire is using good, seasoned firewood. Fresh firewood contains too much moisture, making it tougher to light, causing inefficient combustion, which leads to a weak fire. Also, low-quality firewood gives off less heat and more smoke than seasoned firewood. As we’ve seen, more smoke means increased creosote buildup and greater risk of a chimney fire. Another problem that we’ve seen is people using junk like used furniture or trash as fireplace fuel! Not only does burning this material cause performance issues, but it can also release chemical-filled smoke into the house.

How to Make Your Fireplace a Joy to Use

Owning and using a fireplace indeed takes a little effort, but it doesn’t have to be frustrating. Here are a few tips to make your fireplace more efficient and enjoyable.

Use Good Firewood

As we’ve seen, good-quality firewood is key to a warm, efficient fire. Unseasoned firewood contains too much moisture and uses nearly all of its energy burning the water out instead of producing the heat you want. Burning seasoned firewood also significantly reduces the amount of smoke and creosote in your chimney, making it less likely you’ll damage the flue liner and cause a chimney fire.

Upside Down Fire

There are many ways to build a fire, but experts agree that making an upside-down fire is one method that works best. To build an upside-down fire, put large logs on the bottom of the fire grate and put tinder on the top. Light the tinder to start the fire and let it burn down to the wood to create a long-lasting fire.

Prime Your Flue

If the chimney runs along an exterior wall and the temperature outside has been freezing, there’s a good chance you have an abundance of cold air in the flue. This cold air impedes the warm smoke from rising, making it more challenging to get your fire going. To prime the flue, make a torch from a newspaper, light it, and hold it up near the damper to drive out the cold air and create a healthy draft.

Call a Chimney Sweep

Hiring a professional chimney sweep service for annual cleaning and maintenance is crucial to keeping your fireplace running efficiently and ensuring your safety. Professional chimney sweeps thoroughly clean the flue, remove creosote buildup and other obstructions, and inspect the entire structure for defects.

About Fire N’ Stone

Fire N’ Stone is a full-service chimney service company located in central New Hampshire. We’re family-owned and operated and have served the community for over 13 years with design  installation, repairs, and service.  To book an appointment please call us at 603-293-4040 or fill out our online form.