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Smoke & Draft Problems Are A Thing Of The Past With Lou Curley’s Chimney Service

Do you have trouble keeping the fire in your fireplace lit? Does smoke waft into your room every time you sit down to enjoy a nice evening by the fire? Do you notice smoke in your basement when you have a fire going in the fireplace upstairs? All of these are symptoms of a draft or air pressure problem within the home, but we can help.

While hundreds of different factors can lead to draft and smoke problems, we’re experts at diagnosing and correcting these problems quickly and for good. We’ve taken the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Chimney Physics class, as well as many other classes offered through the National Fireplace Institute (NFI), and we know what to look for and what to do to resolve smoke and draft issues. Here are some of the most common culprits:

#1 Problems with the flue. If the flue is blocked, damaged, cold, or too small for the appliance it’s venting, you’ll likely have smoke coming from the fireplace opening itself.

  • The solution to a flue blockage is to have the flue cleaned by a CSIA-certified professional. Once the blockage is removed, the flue should effectively remove smoke from the home when a fire is going.
  • The solution to a damaged flue is to either repair with HeatShield® or reline the flue with a new stainless steel liner. Holes and cracks can slow the removal of smoke, so sealing these holes and cracks or installing a new liner that’s free of damage will work to eliminate smoke and draft issues.
  • The solution to a cold flue is to hold a lit, rolled up newspaper up in the flue before lighting a fire in the fireplace. This just helps to warm and prep the flue so smoke will rise up and out of the chimney more easily.
  • The solution to an improperly sized flue is to have the flue relined. Here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service, we reline with stainless steel liners, which come in a variety of sizes, are approved for use with all fuel types, and provide a lifetime of service. We also install the Ahren-Fire Fireplace Restoration System, which may be the perfect solution to your flue size-related draft issues.
Dormer on roof beside chimney. We also repair smoke and draft problems.
#2 Crossdraft/Inadequate fresh air in the home. In order to achieve proper draft, the appliance needs adequate intake air. But with homes being so airtight, sometimes the appliance looks elsewhere for make-up air to feed the fire, pulling air in through other fireplaces, stoves, or vents. When pulling that outside air in, the smoke that’s being exhausted through the chimney is often pulled down in with the make-up air, which is why, when you have a fire going, you may see smoke in your basement or coming out of a fireplace or stove that’s not being used.

Our Team Is Certified, Experienced, And Capable Of Tackling Your Chimney Problems

Whatever’s causing your smoke or draft problems, you can be confident that the experienced and trained team here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service can offer a solution. We’re CSIA-certified Chimney Sweeps, CSIA Master Chimney Sweeps, CSIA-certified Chimney Specialists, National Fireplace Institute (NFI) Master Hearth Specialists, F.I.R.E. registered Hearth Advisors, and have received a host of other industry certifications. Don’t deal with a smoky or poorly performing fireplace any longer — call 610-626-2439 or fill out our online appointment request form to schedule your smoke/draft diagnostics appointment today.

 

If our chimney services crews discover you need a damper replaced, don’t worry…we can install the best damper for your situation with no stress to you.