When winter comes, we all love the comfort of a wood fire. But when you are preparing to light the first fire of the year, it doesn’t take properly and your chimney pushes back the smoke which fills your room. What a disappointment! But don’t worry, the most common problems are easy to identify and solve. Read this section for all you need to know about the most common chimney problems with fireplaces and wood-burners.
No flames, just smoke
There are several reasons why smoke might not be rising. The most common is a lack of air.
A fire needs fresh air to burn properly. An open fire, for example, consumes six times the volume of air in the room every hour. A sufficient air flow is therefore needed to replenish the air.
To check whether lack of air is the reason your fire isn’t taking, try opening a door or window. If the smoke disappears, the solution is to increase the air supply, for example by installing air vents or inlets under the floor.
Smoke could also be caused by poor evacuation, if the chimney is blocked by debris or a bird’s nest. If so, it needs sweeping (read the article here to find out when to sweep and clean your chimney).
Smoke is escaping through the walls of the chimney
This problem can occur in brick chimneys in old houses. Air leaks through the joints allow toxic fumes and smoke to infiltrate rooms adjacent to the chimney.
To detect these leaks and locate the faulty joints, you (or your chimney sweep) can perform a smoke test. Scented and coloured smoke helps to reveal the slightest cracks.
This test, conducted by a professional, should cost no more than a hundred euros. You will also receive a certificate of compliance, which is always useful to provide to your insurer or tenant or when it comes to selling your house.
Chimney fires
As you use your fireplace over time, soot and tar (creosote) can build up on the walls of the flue and ignite.
To prevent this, chimneys must be swept at least once a year. The purpose of sweeping is to remove combustible soot deposits. You will need to do this more often if you burn green or damp wood.
Birds and their nests
Unprotected flues offer a good shelter for birds. It is very common for them to contain nests. To prevent them gaining access and avoid the associated risks, you can have a special chimney cap fitted.
