How do I improve my fireplace draft?
11 Quick Ways To Help Improve The Draw On Your Open Fireplace
- Have The Chimney Swept.
- Open Any Air Vents Or Windows.
- Fully Open The Damper.
- Leave Glass Doors Open Before Each Fire.
- Prime The Chimney Flue.
- Build A Fire Using The Top-Down Method.
- Use Low Moisture Content Logs.
- Burn Smaller, Hotter Fires.
Do chimney caps affect draft?
Chimney caps with baffles can improve chimney draft no matter from what direction or speed the wind approaches the chimney. This type of chimney cap has a design that consistently creates a driving pressure at the top of the chimney to help pull the byproducts of combustion out of your chimney and home.
What is a chimney Draft Inducer?

Draft inducers are electrically operated devices which increase the air flow up a chimney. This action increases the negative pressure (draft) in the stove, preventing smoke from leaking out of pipe, seams or doors.
What causes draft in chimney?
The pressure in the chimney is typically less than that inside the house. Thus, the draft effect is caused by air inside the chimney being pushed up the chimney by the house air. The air outside the house in the winter is colder and heavier than the warmer air in the house.
How do you stop Backdraft in a fireplace?
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.
Does a taller chimney draft better?
Taller Chimneys Produce Stronger Draft If draft problems are experienced with systems higher than the recommended minimum system height, adding to the chimney may have little or no effect. Most draft problems have to do with inadequate gas temperature in the chimney.
Does a capped chimney need to be vented?
Does a Capped Chimney Need to Be Vented? A chimney needs a vent, not just at the top (provided by the cap) but also at the bottom. When you brick up the fireplace you need to fit either an air brick or a plastic/metal vent to allow air flow through the stack.
What causes smoke to not go up chimney?
Smoke sometimes won’t go up a chimney because there is a column of cold air in the chimney flue that pushes the smoke back into the home. The most common way to prime a chimney flue is to roll up newspaper to create a torch, light it, and then hold it up toward the damper.
How do I keep air from coming down my chimney?
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.
Is it OK to block off a chimney?
Plain and simple, DO NOT seal off a chimney or fireplace because you will get a flue full of condensation problems! Even when your fireplace is blocked off airtight you’ll still end up with “hidden” water issues.