Signs Your Flue Needs Cleaning

Smoke spillage when you open the door, or smoke creeping out during normal burning, is the most common sign of a restricted flue. The fire isn't drawing properly because creosote or debris is narrowing the path for hot gases to escape.

A clean flue creates a strong upward draught. A heater that takes a long time to catch, dies down when you close the door, or never quite roars to life is usually telling you the flue isn't pulling enough air.

If the lounge smells smoky long after the fire is out — or especially on damp Tasmanian days when humidity rises — creosote in the flue is often the culprit. It absorbs moisture and pushes that smell back into the room.

Fine dark dust on the hearth, mantel, or carpet means soot is escaping rather than venting up the flue. It's a clear sign the system isn't sealed or drawing as it should.

Unusual noise from the flue — particularly a deep roar — can be the early stages of a creosote ignition. If you hear this, shut the air down, leave the heater alone, and call us once it's cool. Don't re-light it until the flue has been inspected.

Between seasons, currawongs and starlings can build a nest at the top of a flue surprisingly quickly. If your first burn of the year smokes badly or refuses to draw, a blockage at the cowl is a likely cause.