When smoke doesn’t flow out of your chimney the way it should, it can pollute the air inside your home. This polluted air can be harmful to everyone inside — especially children, elderly individuals, and those with respiratory conditions. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution caused by smoke, mold, and other contaminants can be two to five times worse than outdoor air pollution.
Fireplace smoke problems are almost always fixable once you can find the root cause. Below, we are going to discuss some of the services offered by Lifeline, and we’ll also explain some of the common causes of fireplace smoke problems and how you can deal with them.
Heating Services in Warrenville, Illinois
If your fireplace is filling your home with smoke, there is a good chance the problem is related to your home’s heating system or ventilation. Poor airflow, a clogged chimney, or the wrong-sized flue can all cause smoke to back up into your home instead of flowing outside. This is dangerous because smoke contains harmful particles that can damage your lungs and stain your furniture and walls.
A qualified plumbing, heating and air conditioning company in Warrenville, Illinois can handle these types of heating issues. At Lifeline, our HVAC technicians will carefully inspect your fireplace, chimney, and the rest of your heating system to understand what is really causing the smoke problem. We will look for blockages in the chimney, creosote buildup (a flammable residue that can clog your chimney), or even negative air pressure in your home — negative air pressure happens when your home pulls air in from outside but does not let it escape properly, forcing smoke back into the house instead of out the chimney.
Sometimes, your heating system could be the actual problem and not the fireplace. For example, an old or inefficient furnace might not be circulating air properly and cause pressure imbalances that make your fireplace run like that. Problems with ductwork or air vents can also affect airflow.
Regular maintenance and inspections of your furnace and heating system can prevent these problems from occurring. Our team at Lifeline can diagnose these issues and provide the necessary fixes.
Plumbing Services in Warrenville, Illinois
You might not think plumbing has anything to do with fireplace smoke, but the two are more connected than you might realize. For example, leaks or excess moisture from plumbing problems can increase humidity levels in your home. High humidity can then cause problems with airflow and ventilation.
Humidity caused by plumbing leaks can also lead to creosote buildup inside your chimney. This sticky, tar-like substance is a fire hazard and is responsible for approximately 25,000 chimney fires every year in the US. Addressing plumbing problems early can minimize the risk of creosote buildup, improve ventilation, and help your fireplace work more efficiently and safely.
Lifeline expert plumbing services can be an indirect solution to your fireplace smoke problem. Our licensed plumbers can find and fix plumbing problems that can affect your home’s air quality and ventilation. With services like leak detection, humidity control, and repairs, we can make sure that your home has proper airflow and is safe.
Air Conditioning Services in Warrenville, Illinois
If your AC is not properly maintained or balanced, it can also create airflow problems that pull smoke into your home instead of letting it escape through the chimney. Poor airflow caused by an unbalanced or clogged AC can make it harder for your fireplace to run properly, which can create smoky and uncomfortable living spaces.
Humidity is another issue linked to poorly maintained ACs. When your AC does not control humidity as well as it should, excess moisture can damage your chimney liner. A damaged liner can develop cracks or blockages, which interfere with proper smoke ventilation and increase the risk of chimney fires.
If you are having any doubts about the condition of your AC system, you can always reach out to your local plumbing, heating and air conditioning company in Warrenville, Illinois for an assessment.
Looking for a Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Warrenville, Illinois?
Does your plumbing system need attention? Need to have your home’s heating or air conditioning systems looked at by the experts? In either case, if you’re looking for a reliable plumbing, heating and air conditioning company in Warrenville, Illinois, look no further than Lifeline. Contact us today at (847) 468-0069 to request an estimate.
