Union County, New Jersey
Chimney Draft and Smoke Problems in Summit, NJ
Summit's housing is a mix of older detached homes and other types. When a fireplace will not draw, the cause is often outside the fireplace.
Emergency first. Act on these before anything else on this page.
- Fire, flames, or a room filling with smoke: get everyone out of the home and call 911 or the fire department. If someone or a pet cannot get out, tell the operator or firefighters right away. Ready.gov: home fires.
- A carbon monoxide alarm sounds, or you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning: get outside to fresh air immediately, then call 911. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so you cannot smell it. CPSC: carbon monoxide.
- You smell gas: leave the building immediately. Do not try to find the source, and do not use light switches, phones, matches, appliances or a car near the building. Once you are at a safe distance, call your gas utility or 911. PSE&G tells customers to move at least 350 feet away and call 1-800-880-PSEG (7734) or 911. PSE&G: if you smell gas. Other utilities publish their own numbers.
The sections below are about routine chimney questions. Booking a visit is for after any emergency is handled.
Summit, in Union County, is about 63% detached houses and 68% owner-occupied. The Census median build year is 1953, about 41% of homes predate 1950, and the ACS median home value is about $995,000.
This page is about draft: why a fireplace smokes into the room, and how the causes divide up.
Draft problems are one of the most common reasons people call about a chimney. They are also one of the hardest to diagnose over the phone.
Learn
Working out why smoke comes into the room
The sequence matters. Start with the simplest causes: is the damper fully open, is the flue cold, are exhaust fans running. Then look at the chimney itself: deposits, a clogged cap or a damaged smoke chamber. Finally, look at the building: house tightness, replacement windows and new appliances can all change how air moves.
| Clue | More likely cause |
|---|---|
| Only at start-up | Cold flue |
| Only with exhaust fans on | Negative pressure |
| Gets worse over time | Deposits building up |
| After wind or weather | Cap, height or surroundings |
Our guide to smoke coming into the house goes through the same diagnosis in more depth. Local codes vary; we do not rule on them here.
Checklist
Before you call about smoke
- Is the damper fully open?
- Has the flue had time to warm up?
- Are bathroom or kitchen fans running?
- Can you see anything stuck at the top?
- Did it start after a change to the house?
Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke spills out when the fire is lit | Cold flue or closed damper | Prewarm the flue, check damper |
| Smoke with exhaust fans running | Negative pressure | Open a window, discuss makeup air |
| Smoke smell between fires | Deposits or moisture | Sweep and inspect |
| Smoke stains above the opening | Repeated spillage | Inspection |
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Summit
Summit mixes older detached houses with other housing types, and a fireplace that will not draw can have causes in the house, the roof or the flue. The usual suspects on this page are ordered by how easily a homeowner can rule them out.
What we look at
The usual suspects
A cold flue
A flue full of cold air pulls the wrong way until it warms. Starting a small, hot fire helps.
Negative pressure in the house
Tight houses, exhaust fans and dryers can pull air down the chimney.
A blockage or a cap issue
Nests, debris, a clogged screen or heavy deposits restrict flow.
Chimney height and surroundings
Building codes generally set a minimum height relative to the roof and nearby structures. A chimney too short for its surroundings can see downdraft.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Why does it smoke only sometimes?
Weather, flue temperature and house air pressure all change. Intermittent smoke usually points to conditions.
Will a taller chimney fix it?
Sometimes, if height is the cause. Often it is not.
Is smoke dangerous?
Smoke in the room should be taken seriously. If it fills a room or an alarm sounds, follow the emergency steps above. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, so working alarms matter in any house with fuel-burning appliances.
Service areas
Other areas we serve
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Summit?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.