Foreward
  Meet the Author
  Table of Contents
  How Chimneys Work
  Firebuilding
  Fireplaces
  Fireplace Problems
  Woodstoves
  Woodstove Problems
Troubleshooting
   
   

 

  
     
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
Burning Secrets

Chapter 7: Troubleshooting Guide

At-a-glance answers to problems with fireplaces and woodstoves, and page number references for an explanation of each type of problem and its solution.

Note: Many problems involve a combination of causes.

Troubles with Fireplaces
Troubles with Woodstoves

Note: the page numbers below refer to the printed book and NOT to the online text.

Troubles with Fireplaces

Fireplace Smokes

Smoke pours into the room when fireplace is lit.

 

Cause Solution Page
Damper closed Open damper Page 21, 26
Flue is cold Prime flue Page 26
Flue is blocked Clean chimney Page 27

Fireplace smokes only during low burn.

 

Cause Solution Page
Exterior chimney, and flue is cold Install fireplace doors Page 31
Chimney is too short Add height to chimney Page 28
Flue is too large Sleeve flue Page 28
House is depressurized Install outside air source Page 29
Air space between liner and casing is too large Re-line flue with insulated liner Page 29

 

Constant smoke spillage, during high or low fire.

 

Cause Solution Page
House is depressurized Install outside air source Page 29
Smoke chamber is too small Install smoke guard or fireplace doors Page 30
Flue is too small Reduce fireplace opening size; install smoke guard; install fireplace doors Page 31
Damper is too low Install smoke guard or fireplace doors Page 31

Fireplace smokes on windy days.

 

Cause Solution Page
Chimney is too short Add height to chimney Page 32
No cap on chimney Install chimney cap Page 32

Fireplace smokes on damp or rainy days.

 

Cause Solution Page
Flue is wet and cold Prime flue; install chimney cap; apply water repellent Page 32
Chimney is too short Add height to chimney Page 33

When fireplace is used, smoke enters home in a different room, or on another story.

 

Cause Solution Page
Downdraft in unused second flue Seal second flue Page 33
Downdraft in second fireplace Install top-sealing damper(s) Page 34
Breaks between adjacent liners Re-line chimney Page 34
Insufficient chimney cap height raise/replace cap; cut tiles to correct height above crown Page 34

Mechanical Problems with Fireplaces

 

Cause Solution Page
Rust/corrosion clean and lubricate Page 36
Debris behind damper Clean chimney and smoke chamber Page 36
Warped/damaged damper replace damper Page 36

Damper is stuck/inoperable

 

Cause Solution Page
Debris behind damper Clean chimney and smoke chamber Page 36
Warped/damaged damper replace damper Page 36

Fireplace doors hard to open/close

 

Cause Solution Page
Doors improperly adjusted Adjust doors Page 37
Doors installed improperly Re-install doors Page 37
Doors warped/damaged Replace doors Page 37

Fireplace door glass broken

 

Cause Solution Page
Grate/fire too close to door glass Move grate back from doors and replace glass Page 38
Thin glass Purchase new doors with heavier glass Page 37
Object struck glass Replace glass Page 38
Incorrect use of doors in two-sided fireplace Follow correct use instructions Page 38

Fireplace screen warped/damaged

 

Cause Solution Page
Heat damage Replace screen or mesh Page ?
Rust/Corrosion Replace screen or mesh and locate/correct source of water Page ?

Ash dump door missing/inoperable

 

Cause Solution Page
Corroded/ broken/missing door Replace door Page 38
Door rusted shut Soak with penetrating oil; clean Page 38
Door warped Replace door Page 38

Fireplace Odors

Odors from fireplace when in use

 

Cause Solution Page
Odors from smoke spillage Identify and correct smoking problem. (There are many possible causes. Refer to the smoky fireplace sections for more information.) Starting on page 26

Odors from fireplace on wet/rainy days

 

Cause Solution Page
Flue requires cleaning Clean flue Page 38
Damper is open Close damper when not in use Page 39
No chimney cap Install cap Page 39
Soaked chimney Apply water repellent Page 39
Inadequate height Add height Page 39

Fireplace Leaks / Stains

Water leaks into fireplace on rainy days

 

Cause Solution Page
No chimney cap Install chimney cap Page 39
Crown damaged Repair crown Page 40
Damage to exterior brickwork Repair brickwork Page 40
Soaked chimney Apply water repellent Page 40

White stains on bricks inside fireplace

 

Cause Solution Page
Effluorescence Install cap; apply water repellent Page 40

Black stains above fireplace opening

 

Cause Solution Page
Smoke spillage Identify and correct smoking problem; clean stains Page 40
Damper left open when fire was lit Clean stains Page 40

Black stains above and/or to the sides of the fireplace opening

 

Cause Solution Page
Leaky fireplace doors Clean stains; re-gasket door frame Page 40

Fireplace Animal Infestation

Animals seen or heard in flue

 

Cause Solution Page
No chimney cap Close damper and have a professional remove animals and install cap Page 41

 

Troubles with Woodstoves

Note: some of the page references are to sections in the Fireplace sections. This is because the principles are the same, so the relevant sections of the Stove sections simply refer to the prior treatment of the issues in the Fireplace sections. The page references listed here bring you directly to the sections with the most in-depth treatment of the topics.

Smoky Wood Stoves

Smoke when starting the stove

 

Cause Solution Page
Bypass damper is closed Open bypass before lighting Page 59
Pipe Damper is closed or partially closed Open pipe damper fully before lighting Page 59
Flue is cold Prime the flue Page 26
Blockage in Flue Clean and/or repair flue Page 27

Smoke as the stove burns out

 

Cause Solution Page
Cold, exterior chimney Since rebuilding the chimney is impractical, see sections on chimney height, over-sized flue, and depressurized house, which may be contributing factors Page 27, 61
Chimney is too short Add height Page 28
Flue is too large Re-line the flue with correct size liner Page 61
House is depressurized Install outside air duct Page 29
Too much or too little space between liner and brickwork Install insulated liner Page 29

Stove smokes all the time, or erratically

 

Cause Solution Page
Flue is too small Re-line flue or use a different stove Page 63
Blockage in Flue Clean and/or repair flue Page 27
More than one appliance is connected to a single flue Connect stove to its own flue. Page 64
Stove is backpuffing ­ jets of smoke are forced into the room periodically Open the air intake and/or use properly seasoned wood. Page 64

Stove Smokes on Windy Days

 

Cause Solution Page
Chimney is too short Add height to chimney Page 65
Flue is too large Re-line the flue Page 28
No chimney cap on the chimney Install a cap Page 10
Cold, exterior chimney Since rebuilding the chimney is impractical, see sections on chimney height, over-sized flue, and depressurized house, which may be contributing factors Page 27, 61
Pressure conditions in the house are creating a draft problem Diagnose source and correct ­ this usually requires professional assistance Page 66

Stove smokes on damp or rainy days

 

Cause Solution Page
Exterior chimney is cold and wet Install cap and apply water repellent Page 10, 32
No chimney cap on the chimney Install a cap Page 10
Warm weather outdoors even though it's cold inside Prime the flue; burn a brisk fire Page 67, 10

Smoke enters a different room that the one the stove is in.

 

Cause Solution Page
Downdraft in unused second flue Seal second flue Page 33
Downdraft in second fireplace Install top-sealing damper(s) Page 34
Breaks between adjacent liners Re-line chimney Page 34
Insufficient chimney cap height raise/replace cap; cut tiles to correct height above crown Page 34

Mechanical/Maintenance problems with stoves

 

Cause Solution Page
Bypass damper handle doesn't open or close the bypass damper Re-connect or replace linkage Page 68
Bypass damper handle stuck Adjust, replace, or repair linkage or warped damper Page 69
Pipe damper handle doesn't move the damper blade. Replace the pipe damper Page 69
Pipe damper handle is stuck Clean stovepipe Page 69
Cracked or warped parts Replace damaged parts Page 70
Broken stove glass Replace glass Page 70
Broken/cracked firebricks Replace if badly cracked Page 70
Gasket worn or missing Replace gasket Page 71
Catalytic combustor not working Clean, test, and replace if necessary Page 71
Generally poor performance replace gaskets; clean chimney; use better wood; or correct problems cause by changes in the house Page 72
Creosote formation Burn hotter; use better fuel; re-line flue; correct the stove pipe connection; or buy a better stove. Page 73
Odors Clean chimney; install cap; apply water repellent; correct depressurization problem; wait for paint burn-in Page 38
Animals in flue Call a chimney professional Page 41