Backdraft When Unused

[Bush_84]

Hello all. I know you have probably heard this one a million times. I have cruised some of the sticky topics and have done a fair amount of google searching, which is what brought me here

I have a Kozy Heat fireplace insert. It's attached to an external chimney. I have no troubles burning. It has an external air intake and a damper in the flue. The room with the insert has the furnace, bathroom fan, and dryer all quite close, but not in the same room. The chimney is just a little shorter than the two peaks on the north and east side of the house. Wind normally coming from the west, which gets pretty potent in this part of the world. Peaks not significantly higher but I would say they are a little higher. I have been burning for close to 10 years and burned wood as a kid. So I'm not an expert but not a complete noob.

My problem is backdraft when not in use. I am able to reverse easily enough when I want to burn and this is not at all a problem in the winter. When I stop burning however draft reverses and the basement smells like smoke. Another thing to mention is that my door and glass seals do need to be replaced. I don't think they have been replaced since the prior owners put it in back in the mid 90s. We have lived here for not quite two years.

So what is the best thing to do? Replace door and window seal? Buy special cap? Buy one of those flue extenders? Get one of those balloons to shove in the flue? Jam a bunch of insulation in the top of the chimney when cleaning in the spring and remove before using in the fall? Other suggestions?

Edit-about replacing door and glass seal, do I really need to buy the rope and window seal specifically made for my model or will anything work? I can find the rope easy enough but not sure about the door seal.

 

[mellow]

Common basement issue, is the air coming from the cold air intake or the flue? Or both?

 

[Bush_84]

Common basement issue, is the air coming from the cold air intake or the flue? Or both?

I don't believe it's coming from the cold air intake but to be honest I'd have to look to see where it comes in. I've never checked. What I can tell you with certainty is that when trying to correct the draft when lighting a fire there is certainly one coming down the flue. Also when not in use would keeping the air intake or flue damper open/closed or any combination help?

 

[begreen]

Basement installations can be challenging due to negative pressure issues. A cold external chimney can make things worse. If this is the case a balloon in the flue may be a practical solution. (broken link removed to http://www.chimneyballoon.us/chimneyballoon.html)

 

[mellow]

I would close both off. A balloon in the flue would do the trick if the damper is not stopping the smell.

 

[Dover29]

If it is an air-tight stove insert, replacing the gasket and glass gasket should do the trick. If its not, then I agree, the chimney balloon should do the trick. if you still have the manual for the stove, it should tell you the correct size gasket. I don't think the manufacture of the gasket matters as long as you have the correct size. Glass seal is typically a 2 gaskets. a flat gasket with adhesive to put on the glass and a separate rope gasket to wedge in the door for a tight seal.

 

[Bush_84]

I have the z-42 cd.

http://www.kozyheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Z42-Z42CD-Manual-9-10.pdf

I can't find any reference to gasket size.

 

[Bush_84]

(broken link removed to http://www.hechlers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31_115&products_id=685)

(broken link removed to http://www.hechlers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31_115&products_id=965)

I found these a while ago but they also contain no reference to what size and I'm out sure if this is just for one door or both doors. It gets a little spendy if I need to buy two of each.

 

[begreen]

(broken link removed to http://www.hechlers.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=31_115)