During the winter, everyone loves cozying up by the fireplace with a warm mug of tea or cider. While a lightly crackling fireplace warrants no complaints, in certain instances, smoke may spill out and into the home. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious smoke damage and hinder indoor air quality. To prevent unwanted emissions, follow these key tips.

How to Prevent Fireplace Smoke Damage

1. Install an Air Supply Vent

Newer, heavily insulated homes have the most issues with high smoke and soot levels. Due to the energy-efficient, airtight environment, smoke may accumulate faster than it is replaced with outside air. If you believe this is happening in your home, enlist a qualified technician to install an air supply vent in your fireplace.  

2. Clean & Maintain Your Chimney

If you have a chimney, hire a professional to clean and inspect it at least once a year. Creosote buildup in chimneys can reduce exhaust gasses, which leads to smoke production and potential fires. Damaged chimney flues can also create draft issues. Always ensure your chimney damper is completely open to prevent issues.

3. Avoid Wet Firewood

It’s challenging to start a fire with damp firewood in the first place, but once it does start, it will likely produce clouds of smoke. If your fire is hissing and smoldering, the logs may contain too much moisture. Use extra dry wood to prevent this problem in the future.

A little smoke now and then might not seem like a major issue. Over time, however, the walls and ceiling surrounding your fireplace may suffer serious smoke damage. To maintain a clean and healthy fireplace and home, follow advice from the experts. With over 30 years of experience in smoke and fire damage restoration services, the professionals from Arkansas Restoration Services stress the immense importance of caring for your fireplace. If your home does suffer damage, their experienced technicians will restore your property. To learn more, call today at (479) 967-2018 or visit the restoration company online.