Our Company Blog

Smoky Chimneys

If you have a fireplace, you have more than likely experienced smoke blowing into the room through it from the chimney when you are trying to start a fire. Quite often, people forget to open the damper, which can cause smoke-filled rooms, but sometimes the solution to a smoky chimney is not as simple as just opening the damper. At Atlas Chimney, we have been frequently asked about smoky chimneys, and the first thing we ask these customers is if the smoke problem is constant or sporadic. Different things can cause smoky chimneys, and we work hard to determine the exact cause so this problem will not happen again. It can be hard to enjoy your fireplace when you are inhaling smoke and coughing as the fire burns. We would like to tell you about the different reasons why your chimney is so smoky.

Is your chimney constantly smoky?

If smoke always blows through the fireplace whenever you try to light a fire, your chimney could be suffering from a few different problems.  You may have a flue blockage that is forcing smoke back into your home. Our Chimney Safety of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps can easily find this blockage during an inspection and remove the debris from your chimney.
Your fireplace opening may be too large, which can allow too much air into the chimney and cause drafting problems. We can either install glass fireplace doors or something else to reduce the amount of air that flows into your fireplace.

Your home may be too airtight, which creates an insufficiency of air to your chimney. If you have a newer home or have weatherized your home, the CSIA recommends opening a window to see if that resolves your smoke problem. Atlas Chimney can also install a vent that will help bring in outside air when your fireplace is in use.

Do you just have occasional smoke problems?

If your chimney is only smoking sporadically, it could be due to having a high pressure cell in your area that is causing air pressure issues that are affecting your chimney draft. Or, you could be using the wrong type of wood. Atlas Chimney recommends that you only burn seasoned firewood. When you burn freshly cut wood, it can be too wet to burn without a lot of smoke being produced. There are other causes of sporadic smoke problems, and we have the experience to find out the exact cause and help you correct the issue. One of these issues has to do with your chimney not being tall enough to draft properly, and you will definitely need us to add height to your chimney. Whatever the problem may be, you can count on us to help you get rid of the smoke.

Dealing with a smoky chimney? Contact us at Atlas Chimney to talk to our staff about how we can help you breathe easy while enjoying a fire in your fireplace.

A Storm Collar Helps Keeps Water Out of Your Chimney

Keeping water out of your chimney is one of the most important tasks you have as a homeowner. Water can do a lot of expensive damage and deterioration to your chimney, fireplace, and even the interior of your home. When water leaks into your chimney, it can cause the metal components like your damper and liner to corrode and break apart. It can create water stains on your ceilings and walls. It can rot wooden structures that surround your chimney. Not only can water deteriorate the parts of your chimney and home, but too much moisture in your chimney can also lead to mold growth. Here in the Austin, TX area, we can see quite a bit of rain each year, and Atlas Chimney has been working to prevent chimney water leaks in the Austin area for over 25 years. Our staff knows the best ways to keep water out of your chimney, and we can make sure your chimney is leak-proof. One of our preventive measures we use is a storm collar as part of a flashing system. We would like to tell you more about storm collars and how they are an important part of a good flashing system.

Courtesy of Jerry Isenhour

What is a storm collar?

If you have a prefabricated chimney, you most likely will need a storm collar, also known as a chimney collar, to prevent rain from getting into the space where the chimney pipe meets the roof. Storm collars are usually integrated into the flashing system around your chimney. Similar to a chimney cap for masonry chimneys, storm collars are different because they fit onto the chimney pipe instead of sitting on top like a chimney cap does on a masonry chimney. Unfortunately, storm collars do not last forever, and you will eventually have to replace this important part of your chimney system.

How do I know when I need to replace my storm collar?

According to the Home Guides at SF Gate, you should replace your storm collar if you see water in the attic or water stains on the ceiling in the same room as your fireplace.

What exactly is a flashing system?

To protect the vulnerable area around your chimney where it meets the roof, a flashing system is constructed of sheets of metal that are strategically layered on the roof and wrapped around the chimney. Flashing provides a watertight barrier that keeps water from entering at this point. Over the years, Atlas Chimney has seen many poorly installed and damaged flashing systems, and we not only repair these types of flashing systems, but we can also construct new customized flashing systems that will keep water from leaking into your chimney. When our customers have a prefabricated chimney that consists of a metal pipe, we always use a storm collar as an important part of the flashing system.

Keep water out of your chimney this spring and summer. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to find out if a flashing system with a storm collar is right for your chimney.