Homeowners in Chesterfield, MI, Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, St. Clair Shores, MI, Auburn Hills, MI, and the surrounding communities trust Motown Fire for all their fireplace and chimney needs. While we’re contractors at heart, we believe our purpose is to enhance people’s lives by giving them the perfect place to gather with friends and loved ones.
However, the last thing you need during a family gathering is for the fireplace to smoke up the house. Here’s why your fireplace is smoky and what you can do about it.
Dirty Chimney or Fireplace
Over time, creosote, soot, and debris can line your chimney walls and clog the passageway. Even a small accumulation can reduce airflow enough to cause smoke to back up into the house. Similarly, a dirty firebox can interfere with good airflow.
Cold or Blocked Chimney
One of the most common reasons for smoke backing up into the house is a cold chimney. When the chimney is colder than the air in your home, it can create a reverse draft that sends smoke inside instead of pulling it out. Blockages like bird nests, leaves, creosote buildup, or fallen masonry can also disrupt the flow of smoke.
Negative Air Pressure
Modern homes are designed to be energy-efficient, which means they’re tightly sealed. While this is great for your energy bill, it can create negative air pressure indoors. When there’s not enough air coming into your home to replace the air being pushed out (for example, by kitchen exhaust fans, bathroom vents, or even the fireplace itself), smoke can be pulled back into the room instead of going up the chimney.
Damp or Unseasoned Firewood
Using wet or unseasoned firewood is another culprit. Damp logs create more smoke and less heat, making it harder for your chimney to draw properly. A good draft requires strong, hot combustion — and that only happens with dry wood.
What Can You Do About a Smoky Chimney
Warm the Flue First
Before lighting a fire, try warming the flue. You can do this by lighting a rolled-up newspaper and holding it up near the damper for a few minutes. This helps reverse any cold air and establishes a draft before you light the main fire.
Use Seasoned Firewood
Make sure your wood has been properly seasoned — ideally, it should be split and dried for at least 6–12 months. You can tell it’s ready by looking for cracks at the ends and listening for a hollow sound when two logs are knocked together.
Open a Window Slightly
If your home has negative air pressure, cracking a nearby window can help equalize the pressure and allow your chimney to pull properly. You may also want to turn off exhaust fans while the fire is burning.
Check the Damper
Always make sure the damper is fully open before starting a fire. A partially closed damper can easily cause smoke to flow into your home instead of out of the chimney.
Schedule a Professional Chimney Inspection
If you think the issue is caused by a blockage or structural issue, it’s time to call a professional. A certified chimney sweep can clean the chimney, inspect for damage, and recommend solutions for persistent smoke problems, including installing a chimney cap, draft inducer, or flue liner.
Motown Fire is the most trusted chimney and fireplace expert in the Metro Detroit area. Whether you need chimney cleaning, repairs, an outdoor fireplace, or fire pit, or anything in between, you can count on our professionals.
Stop into our showroom located at 50760 Metzen Dr., Chesterfield Township, MI 48051, where you can see working fireplaces and speak to our knowledgeable staff.