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Comments
Eric
04 Jan 2008, 08:26
Tim,
I have smoke entering our home through the basement fireplace within
minutes of starting a fire in the fireplace on the first floor directly
above. I capped off the flue to the basement fireplace at the top of the
chimney but still have smoke coming in to through the basement fireplace.
Smoke does improve when I open a window. However, how can the smoke enter
through the basement fireplace when it is capped? The chimney is about 30
years old. Brick seems to line the smoke shelf.
Thanks
AsktheBuilder
05 Jan 2008, 07:33
Eric,
It sounds like a combustion or makeup air issue. The first-floor fireplace
is STARVED for air. Test this by starting a roaring fire and have a window
in the room open at least 4 inches. Tell me what happens.......
Dan
07 Jan 2008, 10:27
I am using gas for heating. Since gas is suppose to burn cleaner, why am I
getting black smoke out of my chimney that frequent? Is there something
wrong with my furnace?
AsktheBuilder
07 Jan 2008, 10:53
Dan,
Yes! The burner is not adjusted correctly. Call a service person ASAP.
Dan
07 Jan 2008, 11:01
Thanks. What do you mean not adjusted? and what does the servicer need to
do? is it a big job? Please excuse my ignorance, but i am completely
clueless when it comes to furnce and boilers. Appreciate the help very
much.
thanks
AsktheBuilder
07 Jan 2008, 11:47
Dan,
I can't say how tough it is as there are many variables. *Call* a service
technician *now*.
Craig
14 Jan 2008, 14:01
Hi Tim,
I have a stone and brick wood burning fireplace, built around 1963. I had
a roaring fire going and had smoke coming out of the wall, which I believe
is the area that the stone changes to brick, between the living room and
office. No smoke in the downstairs fireplace or furnace room, just coming
out of the joint where the wall meets the fireplace. I put a carbon
monoxide detector in the office and it didn't like what it found. I can't
see and cracks (inside or out), recently had it cleaned. I'd like to use
it again. Thanks
AsktheBuilder
14 Jan 2008, 14:13
Craig,
Don't use it. Smoke leaking through a crack is the worst fireplace
jujumagumbo you can imagine. You need to have the crack repaired by a
qualified mason.
Craig
14 Jan 2008, 14:52
Thanks Tim, I haven't used it since and want to get someone out to look at
it but that creates another problem, who to turn to? I've asked around but
nobody knows anybody. I don't mind paying, but want a good job done right.
Aside from interviewing out of the yellow pages, who can I turn to? You
mention a good mason??
AsktheBuilder
14 Jan 2008, 15:41
Craig,
The answer was right here on the website. You need to be a little patient
and browse around.....
http://www.askthebuilder.com/404_Hunting_For_A_Professional.shtml
Laura
27 Jan 2008, 18:52
We have a 1977 home with a masonry fireplace. The opening is huge compared
to most. We do not see smoke, but the smell is always strong and throughout
that end of the house. Is this normal? Also, are the creosote removing
logs that you burn useless? Thanks for your wonderful website!
AsktheBuilder
28 Jan 2008, 10:24
Laura,
Read all of my Fireplace Columns. There is a particular one that has a
sizing table in it. See if the shape and size of your firebox is correct.
As for those magic logs, there is no substitute for a chimney sweep with
the right brushes!
phil
29 Jan 2008, 15:11
I have a new home (7 months old) I had my first fire in the fireplace with
no issues, the next night I had a fire and had no issues until the fire had
burned down to coals, then the smoke produced by the coals started filling
the living room. What would be causing this, and yes I had the damper open.
T
30 Jan 2008, 13:11
My house was built in the 40's and have 2 fireplaces one in the living room
and one directly below it in the basement. it has one brick chimney with
two flues. When I have a fire in the basement I can smell and see smoke in
my living room fireplace. What could be causing this. I had one guy tell me
it would cost $8000 to fix!!!!!! but probably had this problem since it was
built, as far as my hot water tank it has a seperate chimney in the center
of the house and my furnace is new with the pvc pipe run out the wall. I
have installed new windows, but I also installed the Lock-top dampers on
top of my fireplace flues so I don't think it's a down draft of the flue I
only burn once in a while so i'm not gonna spend alot of money on this. Any
suggestion
AsktheBuilder
30 Jan 2008, 13:29
T,
Go read my past column on Makeup Air now. I think the issue is on of
Combustion Air Starvation. Do an experiment. Start a fire in the basement
fireplace, but open fairly widely a door or a window as CLOSE as possible
to that fireplace. Tell me if you see smoke inside.
Pete
30 Apr 2008, 13:37
I have a similar problem (smoky smell in the basement after starting a fire
in the upstairs, twin flues in one chimney); would installing a fireplace
insert in the first floor and/or basement fireplaces solve the problem as
well?
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