The Fall Chimney and the Cold Draft in the Chimney
Sunday, September 22 was the first day of Fall. As summer is a popular season in Chicagoland, the Fall season flirts with being the favorite season. That’s because it’s not too hot, not too cold, the beautiful colors begin to change and we begin to notice our fireplace again. Those chilly nights do make us think of a crackling fire. What we’re not prepared for is the cold draft in the chimney. When that happens, that’s when there’s a problem with the chimney.
What is a Cold Draft in the Chimney?
Cold draft in the chimney is basically caused when the chimney liner is full of cold air and doesn’t let the smoke rise through the chimney liner so it can go out of the home. As we all know, hot air rises, but that also is resisted by cold air that pushes down. Same thing here, the cold air continues to push down toward the fireplace, allowing you to feel the cold air.
Another cause for a cold draft in the chimney is negative air pressure. For the smoke from the fireplace to flow up and out of the chimney, there has to be enough air flowing through, otherwise the smoke and cold air will leak into your home.
Finally, a cold draft in the chimney can be caused by an obstruction. An obstruction can be debris caught in the chimney cap, or a bird’s nest, other critter nest or creosote buildup. The chimney cap plays a critical role, which is why making sure you have one is vital to the health of your chimney.
How to Fix a Fireplace Cold Draft?
One thing that you can do quickly on your own is to check if you have a chimney cap on top of your chimney outside. The chimney cap is what covers the hole outside and guards against rain, snow, debris and critters from entering your home. Now you may say, “Yes, of course I have one.” And you may be right…but not anymore. It may actually be missing. This happens, especially in Chicagoland when those winds kick up. If the chimney cap is loose, it may blow off, or become tilted on an angle or end up on its side. If that looks ‘pretty good’, then the next step is to get a certified chimney technician to inspect the problem.
Chimney Inspection by a Certified Technician
The best way to fix a cold draft in the fireplace is with a certified chimney technician. They are trained by the CSIA, the Chimney Safety Institute of America, and receives years of hands on training with a lead partner before venturing out on their own.
Why is it important?
A certified chimney technician understands the importance of safety and to ensure compliance with Residential Codes. Our certified technicians are trained to identify potential hazards in your chimney and fireplace such as creosote and toxic gasses. Creosote is flammable and can start a fire in your home. The toxic gasses, well we’ll leave that to your imagination.
Contact us today to ensure a safe and healthy home.
This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net
