Fireplaces are a cozy and inviting addition to any home, but they can also be a source of drafts. A drafty fireplace can lead to higher energy bills and make it difficult to enjoy the warmth of the fire. If you’re experiencing a draft from your fireplace, there are several things you can do to fix it.

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Understanding Fireplace Drafts

Before you can fix a draft, it’s important to understand what causes it. Drafts are caused by air movement. When air enters your home from outside, it creates a pressure difference between the inside and outside of your home. This pressure difference causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. In the case of a fireplace, the air will move from the outside of your home, through the fireplace, and into your home.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to drafts from fireplaces, including:

• The location of your fireplace: Fireplaces that are located on exterior walls are more likely to experience drafts than fireplaces that are located on interior walls.
• The condition of your fireplace damper: A fireplace damper is a metal plate that fits over the top of the fireplace opening. When the damper is closed, it prevents air from entering the fireplace from outside. A damaged or missing damper can contribute to drafts.
• Cracks in the fireplace surround: Cracks in the fireplace surround can allow air to enter the fireplace from outside.
• Loose or missing sealant around the fireplace insert: If you have a fireplace insert, loose or missing sealant around the insert can allow air to enter the fireplace from outside.

Fixing Drafts from Fireplaces

Once you’ve identified the cause of the draft, you can take steps to fix it. The following are some of the most common methods:

• Seal air leaks around the fireplace surround: One of the most common causes of drafts from fireplaces is air leaks around the fireplace surround. To fix this, you can use caulk or weatherstripping to seal any cracks or gaps around the surround.
• Install a fireplace damper: If your fireplace doesn’t have a damper, installing one can help to prevent drafts. Fireplace dampers are available at most hardware stores.
• Replace the damper: If your fireplace damper is damaged or missing, you can replace it with a new one. Fireplace dampers are available at most hardware stores.
• Seal any cracks in the fireplace masonry: Cracks in the fireplace masonry can allow air to enter the fireplace from outside. To fix this, you can use caulk or mortar to seal any cracks.
• Inspect and clean the chimney: A blocked or dirty chimney can cause drafts. To fix this, you can have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a qualified chimney sweep.

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How To Fix Draft From Fireplace

Preventing Drafts from Fireplaces

Once you’ve fixed the draft from your fireplace, there are a few things you can do to prevent it from coming back. The following are some tips:

• Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace is not in use: This will help to prevent air from entering the fireplace from outside.
• Use a fireplace insert: A fireplace insert can help to block drafts and improve the efficiency of your fireplace.
• Caulk or weatherstrip any cracks or gaps around the fireplace surround. This will help to prevent air from entering the fireplace from outside.