Common Wood Stove and Firplace Backdraft Smoke Issues

In this video: I discuss some of the causes for a backdraft in a fireplace wood stove or other type of wood burning Appliance. Some of the conditions could be temperature difference from inside outside, negative pressure in the house or conditioned area. Some of the causes for negative pressure are appliances such as furnaces with exhaust water heaters dryers exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens Etc

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Carbon Monoxide Detector

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[smashcutlass]

I have a wood burning insert same problem on first start of the year. Better idea than newspaper and sticks I use a hair dryer I heat up the baffles and the box thus creates a draft. Take a hair dryer face it up toward the chimney close the door best you can with the cord and come back in ten min start your fire as normal. The chimney is warm and draft is perfect. I have a Quadra Fire 4000 for 25 yrs burn 5 cords a season and once a year this is what I do.

[maverickf]

I tried the paper thing and that usually works in very old houses but this helped me figure out my stove wasnt installed correctly. Thank you!

[KyleLesmeister]

You answered all my questions and explained everything great. Awesome video!

[randyburrison]

Get the fireplace ready to light, open house door to garage a crack then crack the garage door open by 2”. This will create enough airflow into the house that it should start your updraft by its self. It worked for me. Hope it works for you.

[dudehere]

Having an exterior chimney effects draw as well. An interior chimney stays warm and will have less backdraft issues. Also, instead of lighting paper (which will smoke the hell out of the room) you can put a kerosene lantern inside the stove/fireplace to reverse the airflow.

[globalvagabond]

Chimmney width to fire place opening is key.
Large chimmney smaller opening.

[MrGarvey]

great job.Not trolling.The simple explanation made this easy to understand.I have a bad traumatic brain injury from afghanistan and hard time following explanations.This was perfect.And the doodle feauture was key.Simple but extremely effective.The doodle reminded me of the 70s Bill Cosby Picture page TV show minus the sexual assalts

[traceyevans]

Thanks for the info man! My fireplace sucks, literally

[bekkanelson]

I tried your suggestion and while it ultimately worked, it ensued some panic because of all the smoke it generated. Shutting the doors of the fireplace snuffed the fire quickly which caused an immense amount of smoke to cloud the fireplace area, and while I would've just assumed abandon the idea of creating the draw I found myself at the point of no return. With eyes and lungs burning I fought to get the fire going and after 10 painful minutes I finally had success. So, in short - USE CAUTION and have fans on hand!

[TheCrawler]

I find leaving an outside door or window near the fireplace open just a bit while getting the fire going helps with the smoke issue. Once the fire is going strong, then I can close the door/window.

[yaa]

Very helpful info, thank you from Namibia

[mhetube]

Great video. I have problem with wood stove in my basement. Colder temperature outside that harder to start the stove. The smoke comes inside. The stove installer recommended to use heat gun to preheat the stove. It works well when the temperature 40 F and above. Do you have have any recommendations for me to stop the smoke draft inside. Maybe I need to keep the basement windows closed (I was recommended to open those). I am looking for any useful advises. Thank you.

[dmc]

I have a fire place builded out side, is there any way to create to get the smoke to go up the flu, ebrutime l have a fire l have smoke coming out the front

[MsGabbyrodriguez]

Thank you. I have that problem and my chimney has to get extended an extra 2ft

[mohamedabouhosh]

Hello... I have a problem with the wood stove, where after heating up a water stars leak out from the pipes and giving a very bad smell, also the smoke not getting out... would you please help

[jescalona]

Hi last night like every night I loaded my wood stove and at 4:00 am the house was filled with smoke that could have caused this?

[munirhassan]

Hello If I put exhaust fan top of chmny

[beckiwildeman]

I am able to start a fire get it going good but when I shut the door the air flow goes down and I have not shut the damper yet and it smokes out the chimney heavily. Its clearly an air flow problem but I can't quite understand it.

[sharonkarr]

I have 2 damper in my wood burner and the last people whom cleaned it, disconnected 1 of them. How do we fix that? This wood burner use to heat up really good and now it doesn't. Is it because of the 1 damper not being connected anymore?

[bruce-le-smith]

good to know about other vents in the house running thanks