Can you have a fire in a fireplace when its raining?
It is perfectly acceptable to use a fireplace while it rains, especially if you have invested in a chimney cap, cowl, or damper. You can also take an additional step to keep your chimney waterproof by using a water-repellent on the exterior masonry work.
What happens when it rains and you have a fireplace?
Water, whether it’s rain or snow, can cause a lot of damage, especially to a masonry chimney. Water will rust steel fireboxes, clean out doors and cast iron dampers. Water seeps into small cracks and crevices and will expand when it freezes.
Why do I smell my fireplace when it rains?
Fireplace odors after rain explained After a rainstorm, the pressure outside of your home tends to be greater than the pressure inside, and air will naturally come into your home through your chimney as a result.
How do you keep cold air from coming through a direct vent fireplace?
One way to help minimize the draft is to install glass doors on the front of your fireplace opening. These glass doors will still radiate heat throughout the room, but will not allow the open flue to let in the cold draft. Another great solution for preventing these drafts is to install a direct vent gas insert.
Does a dirty chimney smell?
Dirty chimneys are often the smelly culprit! After the water issues are taken care of, the next concern is the air pressure in the home. Most chimneys will have some type of smell to them, but this is typically not a problem because the chimney draft drives this smell out of the flue and away from the inside room.
Why does my fireplace stink up the house?
The two most common causes of fireplace odors are water seeping into the chimney and negative air pressure in the home causing the smells to enter the room rather than leave the chimney through the roof. This negative air pressure can cause odors to enter the home, no matter what the cause.
How do you prevent a downdraft in a chimney?
How to Prevent Chimney Downdraft
- Shut Off Exhaust Fans: When your fireplace is in use, turn off your exhaust fans, as they naturally increase negative pressure by pulling air out of the house.
- Adjust Your Damper: If your damper is warped, you might need to adjust it slightly to get the right airflow.
Why does rain come down my chimney?
One of the most common reasons for rain to leak into a chimney is physical damage or wear and tear to the chimney. The portion of your chimney that extends outside of your home faces near constant exposure to the elements, including rain, snow, high wind, and sun exposure.
Why do I keep smelling soot?
The term for this type of olfactory hallucination is dysosmia. Common causes of dysosmia are head and nose injury, viral damage to the smell system after a bad cold, chronic recurrent sinus infections and allergy, and nasal polyps and tumors. The brain is usually not the source.
How do I keep my house from smelling like fireplace?
Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the fireplace area to deodorize at the source. Spray a towel with vinegar and wave it around the room to absorb the fireplace odor. You can also use this tip to eliminate cigarette smell in your home.
How do I stop the air coming in my fireplace?
Another great way to block cold air is with a chimney balloon or plug. These devices are placed above the throat damper and inflated to completely block air from coming down into your fireplace. Balloons are designed to be used only when a fire isn’t burning.
