TIL to look at roof lines for draft issues after an Oak Lane job

I was cleaning Mrs. Gable's chimney over on Oak Lane and the smoke kept backing up. I realized her house was taller than the neighbors, causing wind issues. Now I ALWAYS check the surrounding roof lines before blaming the flue. It's helped my diagnoses a TON.

3 comments

3 Comments

amy9741mo agoTop Commenter

Looking at roof lines for draft issues is such a key step. I've had jobs where the chimney was fine, but nearby trees or buildings caused all the problems. Taking that extra minute to check the surroundings saves so much time later.

diana_ramirez1mo ago

Feel your pain, @amy974, that scan saves so much hassle.

phoenixb341mo ago

Draft problems usually stem from outside factors. I had a job where the chimney draft failed because of a new deck built too close. Now I check for any structures or trees within 10 feet of the roof line. Wind direction changes with seasons, so note how it flows around the property. Catching these early avoids repeat service calls. Taking that minute to scan the area ensures the fix lasts.