People pay a lot of money to make sure their homes are well insulated and air-tight. That’s why it can be frustrating when you have a cold draft coming from your chimney. Cold chimney drafts increase your home’s energy usage, costing you more money. Furthermore, if you are trying to relax in a room with a drafty fireplace, the cold air can create an uncomfortable atmosphere. At The Chimney Guy, we want you to know that you don’t have to live with a cold and drafty fireplace anymore. Below we will let you know some of the more common reasons for drafty fireplaces as well as solutions to the problem.
Downdraft
There are a couple reasons your fireplace might be drafty. One of the most common reasons is because of downdraft in your chimney. A downdraft is caused when the air pressure outside of your home is greater than the inside of your home. When your home is sealed up well, a vacuum is created and air is sucked in through the chimney. This problem is exacerbated when vent fans are operating in your home as well.
You can sometimes fix downdraft by opening a window to depressurize your home. However, we know it gets pretty cold here in Green Bay in the winter and that isn’t always the best solution. Another way to remedy this issue is to install a top-mount damper. A top-mounted damper will block air from being pulled inside your chimney. At the Chimney Guy, we install high-quality Chim-A-Lator top-mount dampers which are guaranteed to satisfy.
Masonry Issues
Another reason your chimney may be drafty is because of cracks in your masonry. If your chimney brick and mortar is starting to crack, cold air can push through and into your chimney or fireplace. This is especially true if your chimney and fireplace is located on the outside of your home.
Fixing your masonry is something that must be done by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep. At The Chimney Guy, our CSIA-certified masons have the knowledge and skill to fill in masonry cracks and replace any failing brickwork that might be present in your chimney system.
Wind
Wind can actually blow down your chimney causing a draft. This happens when your chimney is next to a taller building or trees. Wind can blow overtop of a structure and, as its blowing down the other side of the building, can blow in your chimney. Usually, the solution to this problem is to raise the height of your chimney.
At The Chimney Guy, we would love to help you diagnose and cure your draft problems. Give us a call today at 920-830-1920 or schedule an appointment on our website to talk to a certified technician today!
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