Why is my fireplace smoking up the house?

Why is my fireplace smoking up the house?

Fireplace smoking can be the result of a blocked chimney. Over time a chimney can become blocked by creosote build-up. This is a situation that needs professional attention by a chimney sweep who can safely and effectively remove any creosote or soot build-up inside the chimney.

What to do if a chimney fire occurs?

If it is safe to do so, use your chimney fire extinguisher and, if equipped to do so, close any doors or inlets to your fireplace or stove to reduce the amount of oxygen available to your fire before you head outside.

Why is a chimney fire dangerous?

The most dangerous consequence of a chimney fire is that it creates pathways for carbon monoxide to enter your home and destroys the defenses that protect against a future house fire. If the damage is not repaired, a stray spark or second chimney fire could easily escalate to a house fire.

Can a fire be too big in a fireplace?

Don’t Overfill Your Fireplace or Woodstove Stuffing your fireplace or woodstove with too much wood will likely lead you to damp down the fire, which may cause smoldering and inefficient burning.

How long can I burn my wood fireplace?

A fireplace burning at on high (HHV) will produce 55,000 BTUs and burn for a duration of 2.5 hours. The same fireplace burning on low (LHV) will produce 18,000 BTUs and burn for a duration of 8 hours.

How do you tell if you can burn wood in your fireplace?

If your fireplace has an empty firebox, it is a wood-burning system. Your wood-burning stove will have a door and a space to build your fire, but no ignitors or feeding devices like a pellet stove might have. Wood fires burn wood and vent directly up the flue.

What is the best wood to burn in an indoor fireplace?

Hardwoods such as maple, oak, ash, birch, and most fruit trees are the best burning woods that will give you a hotter and longer burn time. These woods have the least pitch and sap and are generally cleaner to handle.