Why does smoke come into the room when I light a fire?

The flue is not pulling the smoke up and out. Common causes are a blockage, a damper that is not fully open, a cold flue, or not enough air in the house. An inspection finds which one it is.

Is it safe to keep using the fireplace if it only smokes a little?

No. Even a little smoke means combustion gases are getting into the room. Stop using it until the flue has been inspected, and if anyone feels headachy or dizzy, get outside and call 911.

Do I need a permit for chimney work in Arlington Heights?

Illinois permits are issued locally. Relining a chimney or rebuilding it above the roofline commonly needs one, while routine sweeping and basic inspection generally do not. Confirm with the local building department before work begins.

Could my house's age be part of the problem?

It can be. Many Arlington Heights homes date from the post-WWII boom through the 1970s, and their chimneys have been through many freeze-thaw winters. Cracked crowns, worn mortar and damaged liners can all affect the draft.

What does One Call Chimney do?

We are a referral and scheduling service. We arrange the work with independent sweeps and masons, and we are not the contractor. Call (866) 576-7943 to start.

Stop using the fireplace

Smoke in the room, booked with one call, in Arlington Heights, IL

Much of Arlington Heights was built between the post-WWII boom and the 1970s, so a lot of the brick and frame ranches, split-levels and two-stories here have masonry or prefabricated fireplaces that have been through decades of Chicago-area winters. If smoke comes into the room when you light a fire, something is stopping the flue from pulling. It is most often a blockage, a stuck or damaged damper, a cold flue that has not started drawing yet, or a house that is short of air. This page is for planning the repair: the flue gets inspected, the cause gets named, and you decide on the work.

Call now · (866) 576-7943

Phones answered around the clock · free estimate

It happens here for a few reasons. Illinois has a long heating season, roughly October into April, so flues see months of steady use and build up soot and creosote. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles also wear on exposed brick, mortar joints, the crown and the cap, and debris or water damage can narrow or block the flue. That is why smoke often shows up at the start of a cold season.

While you wait — please don't

Put the fire out and open a window. Smoke in the room means combustion gases are in the room, and carbon monoxide comes with them.
Get outside and call 911 if anyone feels unwell. A headache or dizziness after smoke fills a room can be a sign of carbon monoxide, and that needs medical help.
Do not light another fire to test it. If the flue is blocked, a second fire pushes more smoke and gas into the house.
Do not use the fireplace until it has been inspected. The cause has to be found and fixed first, because you cannot tell from the room what is happening inside the flue.

What the technician does

Sweep and camera inspectionThe flue is swept, then a camera goes up it to find the blockage and show the condition of the liner. You can ask to see the footage.
Damper checkedThe technician checks whether the damper opens fully. A stuck one is freed, repaired or replaced.
Draft test and causeThe draft is tested and the cause of the smoke is identified. Ask for that reasoning in writing.
Cap and crown checkThe cap and crown are looked at for damage or debris that could be choking the flue from the top.
Smoke chamber cleaned and pargedThe smoke chamber above the firebox is cleaned and parged where needed, so gases have a smooth path up.
Price first, then your decisionThe estimate is free. The technician gives you the price after inspecting the chimney and before any work starts, and you approve it first.

Why this happens in Arlington Heights, IL

Arlington Heights is a Chicago northwest suburb, and its mid-century homes often have aging chimneys alongside older garage doors and ductwork. Chicago-area clay soils and big seasonal temperature swings add wear to masonry. Cold, snowy winters and frequent freeze-thaw cycles can leave cracked crowns, spalled brick and loose mortar. Spring and summer storms with high winds and hail can add damage of their own. Older homes closer to downtown may have different chimneys from the ranches and split-levels built later, which is one reason the inspection comes first.

A cold flue draws badly until it warms, and a tightly sealed house or a powerful extractor fan can beat the chimney for air. Demand here peaks from late fall through winter, and again in spring and summer after storm damage, so book early if you can. Masonry repairs like tuckpointing and crown work are usually done in the warmer months, when mortar can cure without freezing. If the work involves relining or rebuilding, ask the Arlington Heights building department whether a permit is needed. In Illinois, permits are handled locally. Condo and townhome owners may also need to check with their HOA.

Questions people ask

Why does smoke come into the room when I light a fire?: The flue is not pulling the smoke up and out. Common causes are a blockage, a damper that is not fully open, a cold flue, or not enough air in the house. An inspection finds which one it is.
Is it safe to keep using the fireplace if it only smokes a little?: No. Even a little smoke means combustion gases are getting into the room. Stop using it until the flue has been inspected, and if anyone feels headachy or dizzy, get outside and call 911.
Do I need a permit for chimney work in Arlington Heights?: Illinois permits are issued locally. Relining a chimney or rebuilding it above the roofline commonly needs one, while routine sweeping and basic inspection generally do not. Confirm with the local building department before work begins.
Could my house's age be part of the problem?: It can be. Many Arlington Heights homes date from the post-WWII boom through the 1970s, and their chimneys have been through many freeze-thaw winters. Cracked crowns, worn mortar and damaged liners can all affect the draft.
What does One Call Chimney do?: We are a referral and scheduling service. We arrange the work with independent sweeps and masons, and we are not the contractor. Call (866) 576-7943 to start.

One call

Call (866) 576-7943 and one call gets the smoke problem booked with the right technician. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed with you before any work starts.

Call now · (866) 576-7943

Nearby

Answers

Free tool

Sweep schedule check

Same problem in nearby cities

Every city we cover in Illinois

Something else in this area

One Call Chimney arranges the visit; the technician does the work and gives you the price.