Brick Fireplace FAQ

Why Is My Fireplace Smoking Constantly?

• A brick fireplace typically produces excessive smoke when there is a lack of air. To determine if this is an issue with your fireplace, open the closest window to allow a draft into the room. If the fireplace lacks air, the fire will be fed by the draft and begin to burn more cleanly so the smoke rises up the chimney and away from the room. You can keep your fireplace from smoking in the future by leaving a window open a bit when starting a fire. A top floor window is usually your best bet.

How Do You Fix a Drafty Fireplace?

• Instead of lacking air, you may sometimes find that your fireplace is actually allowing cold air into your home. In most cases, a drafty fireplace is due to an improperly sealed damper. A damper is used to block off the chimney's flue when it is not in use so air does not enter or escape your home. To keep out drafts, purchase a high quality damper that ensures the tightest seal possible. The initial cost of the damper may seem steep, but it will pay for itself in savings on your heating bill over its lifetime.

How Should You Clean the Fireplace?

• Because of all the smoke and soot, a brick fireplace inevitably becomes dirty. You have several options for effective cleaning. For a heavily soiled fireplace, try trisodium phosphate (TSP), an extremely potent cleanser that must be diluted with water. A standard ratio is 1/4 cup of TSP to a gallon of water. Wear rubber gloves when working with TSP, and avoid getting the mixture in your mouth or eyes. If you prefer a gentler cleaning solution, combine an ounce of regular table salt with an ounce of liquid soap to create a paste. Use a brush or sponge to scrub the fireplace clean with the salt and soap mixture. For older brick, however, these methods may both be too harsh. To determine if your fireplace can withstand this type of cleaning, test your chosen solution on a small area. If the brick begins to crumble, you should contact a professional to clean the fireplace.

How Often Should the Chimney Be Cleaned?

• Each year, you should have your brick fireplace's chimney inspected by a professional chimney sweep, who can remove not only sooty buildup and material that results from burn off, but also organic debris like leaves and branches and animals that may nest in your flue as well. He can also spot dangerous deterioration in your chimney that might render your fireplace unsafe to use. A chimney sweep is also trained to recognize chemical buildup in your chimney, such as creosote, which might give off dangerous fumes. In addition, you can ask your chimney sweep to clean your fireplace if you do not want to handle the task yourself.