Are you experiencing problems with smoke back-up and improper air flow in your fireplace? Negative house pressure could be to blame. When there is negative pressure in your home, the functionality of your chimney and fireplace is affected. Proper airflow is vital for getting the most from your system, but it can be hard to resolve when there is an imbalance in positive and negative air pressure. Count on us to help you resolve these issues and to improve the efficiency of your system.
Smoke in the Living Room & More
One way we easily identify pressure problems is when there is excess smoke escaping the fireplace and entering the home. Along with this, an excess amount of negative pressure can lead to condensation which, if you know anything about moisture and brickwork, isn’t good for your chimney at all. Water causes deterioration, clogs, and mold accumulation, all of which need to be remedied before the fireplace can be put to use.
How Does Negative Pressure Occur?
So, what causes a home to experience negative pressure? Well, in every household there is a Neutral Pressure Plane, with positive pressure above it and negative pressure below it. This line moves, according to how air flows through the property. It is when this pressure becomes imbalanced that you will start noticing issues.
What causes this? Well, there are many things to consider, but one example in newer homes is when things are sealed too tight. While this is good for energy costs and keeping your rooms well-insulated, it can trigger some issues when you go to light a fire. This is why talking with your chimney sweep is the best step to take for resolving any problems and getting you back to where you need to be.
Schedule an Inspection with our Team
Using your fireplace throughout these colder winter months is one of the best ways to pass the time and bring a family together. Don’t let a smoky living room and poor airflow put a damper on your evening plans. This is both an inconvenient and dangerous scenario to be faced with, so let our crew get on the case as soon as possible!
The best way to find the issue and get it solved quickly is to schedule an inspection with our CSIA and NFI certified team. We offer three levels of chimney inspections, so we’re sure to fit your needs, no matter what state your chimney is in. Our respected crew of technicians knows the ins and outs of fireplaces better than anyone, and there is simply no better company to call on in Northern Virginia than us.
There’s no point in putting it off. Get in touch with us today.
