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A wood burning stove when used and maintained correctly will give you many years of hassle free warmth. However from time to time there can be issues, and when they occur you need to know how to recognise the symptoms. One common issue with wood burning stoves is poor draft, which can result in a lack of heat, excess smoke, and other problems. In this blog post, we'll explore the causes of poor draft and how to resolve it.
What is Poor Draft?
Draft is the flow of air through your stove and chimney that allows smoke and combustion gases to escape. Poor draft occurs when there is not enough air flowing through the stove, which results in incomplete combustion and an increase in smoke production. This can also cause the stove to burn less efficiently, leading to a lack of heat output.
What Causes Poor Draft?
Several factors can contribute to poor draft in a wood burning stove, including:
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Chimney Height: The height of the chimney plays a significant role in creating draft. If the chimney is too short, it may not provide enough suction to pull the smoke and combustion gases out of the stove.
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Chimney Obstructions: Obstructions such as leaves, debris, or animals can block the chimney and prevent proper airflow.
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Stovepipe Configuration: If the stovepipe has too many bends or is too long, it can create resistance that reduces the airflow and causes poor draft.
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Negative Pressure: Negative pressure in the house can create a vacuum that pulls air down the chimney, which can cause poor draft.
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Weather: Extreme weather conditions such as high winds or low-pressure systems can impact the draft in your chimney and stove.
- Cold flue in the air: This can occur if a stove is not used for a long time or on very cold days of the year. When the air inside the flue is too cold it cannot generate an updraft which results in smoke billowing out of the stove into the room.
How to Resolve Poor Draft
The resolution to poor draft in a log burner depends on the cause of the issue. Here are some solutions to common causes of poor draft:
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Increase Chimney Height: If the chimney is too short, adding a chimney extension can help to increase the draft. For more details including guidance on building regulations for chimney heights please read our blog, how tall should my chimney be?
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Remove Obstructions: Removing any debris, leaves, or animals from the chimney can improve airflow. A chimney should be regularly swept by an experienced chimney sweep. This will ensure no build ups of debris occur.
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Adjust Stovepipe Configuration: If the stovepipe has too many bends or is too long, adjusting the configuration can reduce resistance and improve airflow.
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Improve House Ventilation: Improving the ventilation in your house can help to reduce negative pressure and improve draft. Modern homes are designed to be well insulated for environmental and economic reasons. The downside to this can sometimes mean lower ventilation. This can be resolved having an air brick installed. This will increase the ventilation but have minimal impact on the overall efficiency of your home.
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Use a Chimney Cap: Installing a chimney cap can help to prevent wind from entering the chimney and causing poor draft.
- Pre-heat the flue. This can be done by creating a small, low smoke fire in the fire box. There are many ways to do this. Common methods include lighting a candle in fire box and leaving it for 20-30 minutes before starting your fire.
Poor draft in a wood burning stove can cause a variety of issues, including a lack of heat, excess smoke, and incomplete combustion. Understanding the causes of poor draft and taking steps to resolve the issue can help to improve the performance and efficiency of your wood burning stove. Remember to seek professional assistance if you are unsure how to address an issue with your stove or chimney.
For other issues please read our blog on Stove and Log Burner Troubleshooting