Chris Hess, Author at Atlas Chimney

Common Chimney Draft Issues

Draft plays an important role in the operation of your fireplace and chimney system, and different factors can cause chimney draft issues. If your house smells smoky or if you have trouble with starting a fire, you are experiencing chimney draft problems. Since several things can cause these issues, it can be challenging to diagnose exactly what is wrong. Atlas Chimney is here to help solve your chimney draft issues. For over 25 years, we have been working on the chimneys of the residents of Central Texas, and we know how to diagnose and fix problems with drafts in chimneys. We would like to tell you a bit more about the symptoms of these issues, what causes them, and how we can correct the problems.

Common Chimney Draft Issues Image- Austin TX - Atlas Chimney

Difficulty Starting a Fire

If it takes you 30 minutes to an hour to get a good fire going in your fireplace, your flue could be too large for your heating appliance. You could also have leaks in the lower half of your chimney. According to Mother Earth News, the best solution for both of these problems is to reline the chimney. Atlas Chimney can install a new stainless steel liner that will provide a correctly-sized flue for your heating appliance. This will also help to seal off any leaks.

Smoke Fills the Room on Windy Days

In the best case scenario, wind helps the draft in your chimney to pull out exhaust gases from your home. However, the wind could be directed downward towards your chimney by part of your roof, another building, or a tree. Atlas Chimney can help with this issue by installing a chimney cap that has vents on its sides. These vents will direct the wind to improve your chimney draft and pull out the smoke and gases from combustion,

Unpleasant Odors in the Summer

The heat and humidity of the summer can worsen the odor of creosote, so if you have not had your chimney professionally swept since you last used your fireplace, you could have stinky creosote deposits inside your chimney. Chimney draft problems can force these odors back into your home. The most common reason for this smelly issue is that your house is preventing adequate airflow up the chimney because it is sealed too tightly for weatherization purposes. This problem can be solved by two simple solutions. You can crack open the window closest to your fireplace to give the chimney enough air to draft properly. You can also schedule your annual professional chimney sweeping in the spring or summer with Atlas Chimney, so our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps can remove all of the creosote from your chimney before it starts smelling so strongly.

Have you noticed any of these symptoms with your fireplace? Contact us at Atlas Chimney so our certified sweeps can diagnose and solve your chimney draft problems.

Is My Chimney Healthy?

To be at its healthiest state, your chimney needs regular maintenance. Dangerous hazards can lurk within neglected chimneys without you even realizing it, which is why national fire safety organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that homeowners have their chimneys professionally swept and inspected at least once a year. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been working on the chimneys of the residents of the Austin area, and we know the signs of an unhealthy chimney. We would like to share with you these signs to help you know more about the health status of your chimney.

Is My Chimney Healthy - Austin TX - Atlas Chimney

CREOSOTE BUILDUP

When you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, creosote is a fact of life. Formed naturally during the combustion process of burning wood, creosote sticks to the inner walls of a chimney and can accumulate into large deposits over the winter. The biggest problem with creosote is that it is highly flammable. The CSIA names creosote as a leading cause of chimney fires. The only way to remove creosote buildup is a professional chimney sweeping. The CSIA-certified chimney sweeps from Atlas Chimney will be sure to get rid of all of the creosote deposits to reduce your risk of a chimney fire.

CRACKED OR MISSING BRICKS AND MORTAR JOINTS

Have you noticed loose or missing bricks from the exterior of your chimney? Masonry materials are naturally porous and suffer from erosion damage over the years. The holes and gaps left from deteriorated bricks and mortar joints allow water to easily enter your chimney to create even more damage. Ignoring cracked, loose, and missing bricks and mortar joints can lead to serious structural problems. Atlas Chimney can replace damaged bricks and mortar to restore the health of your chimney.

FLUE BLOCKAGES

As Atlas Chimney inspects your chimney, we look for damage and other potential problems, such as flue blockages. Debris like broken bricks, leaves, sticks, animal nests, and soot can block the exit of your chimney to create a dangerous hazard. The toxic gases of combustion will not be able to escape and will be forced back into your home, and this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps will remove the blockage, which will make your chimney healthy again.

Be sure your chimney is healthy before fall. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection today.

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