Heat is flowing out of our fireplace front and up the roomside wall of the chimney. Normal or a problem?
Our woodburning fireplace has no doors or mantle. This year, the front of the chimney above the firebox becomes very hot. The heat ends at the picture hanging 3 feet above, and the bricks behind that picture are cool. The heat stops at that line. The co2 alarm, which is in the hallway and not near the fireplace, does not register anything. No smoke is getting in the room.
I don’t remember this happening in past years.
One Response
sandra
17 Nov 2009
Is it possible you just never noticed it before? It is VERY normal for the face of the fireplace to get hot. Even almost too hot to touch. Though it is a good idea to have a damper and/or a set of doors that’s probably not what is causing the heat.
As long as the fireplace is not smoking up the house you must be getting a good draft which means it’s probably not blocked like some previous people have suggested.
Regardless it’s hard for anyone here to tell if it’s "normal" without being there in person. Call a certified chimney sweep just to check things out and set your mind at ease. This will cost somewhere between $65-$200.
Better safe than sorry!