How to Get a Fireplace to Work

1). Use good firewood to start a fire. If the wood is green or wet it will generate smoke but no fire.
2). Check that your damper is open all the way. Forgetting to open it will cause the fire not to burn properly. If soot buildup is preventing the damper from opening, the chimney may need to be professionally cleaned.
3). Look to see whether your chimney needs to be cleaned. If soot or bird’s nests are blocking airflow, the fireplace will not perform well. Call a professional cleaner to clean it out for you. If birds are a problem, invest in a cap that keeps them out of the chimney.
4). Evaluate the height of the chimney. If it is too short, the fireplace will smoke instead of burn. The chimney should be at least 2 feet taller than anything else in the immediate vicinity.