Are you having problems with a smoky fireplace? Maybe you've had problems before and don't want a repeat of the mishap. Even if your house isn't filling with black silt, a small amount of smoke can create problems. Over time it can create a black film on your walls, carpeting and furniture. This is in addition to health problems that can result from breathing in unclean air. Here are some tips that will decrease your chances of a smoky fireplace.
First off, make sure your chimney is in proper working order. It may seem like a chimney should be maintenance free but that is not the case. A fireplace should be cleaned every few years and once a year for frequent users. Smoke will build up a substance called creosote in your chimney which can not only cause a smoky fireplace but can also be a safety issue. Don't try to clean the chimney yourself; use a professional. Also make sure there is nothing obstructing the opening of the chimney such as tree branches, leaves or bird nests.
Open your damper using the lever usually found at the front of your fireplace. Warm the air inside the chimney by burning some newspaper or other safe flammable material in the fireplace. This will ensure the warm air is "pushed" outside and not into the house.
Use firewood that is seasoned, i.e. dried out. "Green" timber will be harder (if not impossible) to light and also make more smoke. Use kindling and small logs to get your fire going and then add larger pieces.
You'll need a draft to make sure the fire catches. Open some windows to allow a bit of a draft but not so much that it extinguishes the fire. You also want to make sure air can get under the fire so make sure you are using a grate. Sometimes a grate isn't good enough so you can purchase some extra fireplace bricks to increase the height of the grate.
If you have a large hearth you may have the problem that your fire is too big for the chimney. To help this problem, build a smaller fire or buy a reducer from a home improvement store. Also get a shield which not only prevents sparks from flying but will also guide the smoke into the chimney.
If you have a furnace with a fan then try turning it down if it gets smoky. You may be blowing too much of the smoke (along with the heat) into the house. Some fireplaces are not big enough to heat an entire house so close doors to rooms that don't need to be heated.
So if you have problems with a smoking chimney then follow these simple tips to enjoy the smoke-free warmth your fireplace is meant to provide.
Author Resource:-
Linden Walhard writes mainly for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , a website about wood splitter plans and build your own wood splitter. You can have a look at his abstracts on wood splitter plans and how to build a log splitter here.justhost coupon 50 offcirtex hosting
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