Chimney sweeping why

What happens to a chimney that is not swept? Why is my chimney smoking? Once swept, your chimney is free of sooty deposits and is restored to its full diameter. Occasionally, the cold, heavy air will be enough to force smoke back down the chimney.

This happens when the air in the chimney does not heat quickly enough. Try burning a large amount of newspaper initially, as this will burn quickly and provide heat. Downdraught A brief and inconsistent flow of air can cause a downdraught to blow smoke into the room.

Adjacent trees, buildings and tall objects can cause the wind to deflect towards a chimney and down it, but the resultant downdraught is easy enough to remedy. A professional chimney sweep can advise as to the correct cowl to fit on your chimney pot and this will stop rogue winds from making an ash tray of your front room. Fireplace is too large If you have a very large fireplace in a hunting lodge style, this can affect the way that smoke escapes the fire and cause smoke to curl out into the room.

This can be solved by lifting the grate so that it is nearer to the chimney opening or by fitting a chimney flue. Cracks can also lead to you getting damp in your chimney, which can cause a number of problems in your home.

You can find out more about chimney fires here. Creosote is a thick black substance that is caused by burning solid fuel. It forms when fire is burnt too slowly or burns incompletely. When the smoke cools and sticks to your chimney wall it turns into creosote.

If you begin to find an excessive build-up of creosote, you might be burning your fire incorrectly. Read the tips below to find out what you might be doing wrong…. Preventing creosote build up in your chimney is often easier than removing it. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to stop creosote becoming a problem:. Looking for more advice on your stove?

Check out all our blog resources for posts like these…. Shop Stoves Online Now. Be notified of replies. Friday, November What is Creosote and What Causes it in a Chimney? It should be easy to remove with the correct brush. Sticky tar-like substance — if you see this form of creosote, it is much more cause for concern. It can be difficult to remove and may require chemical cleaning. This may be caused by smoke leaking back into the room; call your local NACS Chimney Sweep to seek their advice as soon as possible.

Find a sweep near you. Download course brochure. Got a question? Coronavirus — Members Advice. How often does my chimney need sweeping?

Will having my Chimney Swept make a mess? How much does it cost to have my chimney swept? What is the best fuel to use? Why do I need my chimney swept before it is closed off? Why are there smoke marks just above the fireplace? A bird has come down my chimney, how do I prevent this happening again? Let's get social Facebook Twitter.