House smells like smoke in mid summer.

[PalletteBurner]

Bought this house last year and burned wood all winter. Now that it is hot and humid, the house smells of smoke though I have not had a fire in months.

Do I need one of those sealing chimmney caps?

It's a brick fireplace (about 22 years old) with a High Valley insert.

 

[karri0n]

You should probably get your chimney professionally cleaned, and get either a sealing cap or something that will seal inside the flue. Take a look at this thread: https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/39041/

 

[Wood Heat Stoves]

down drafting stack isn't uncommon, especially when cooling units kick on.
a trashbag taped to the cap would work for a temporary solution, put a note on the stove to remind users!

top sealing damper is the best option, but pricey

 

[grommal]

I cut a round plug out of 6" thick foam rubber, and made it a little bigger in diameter than the pipe that passes through the thimble into the chimney. I can reach in my cleanout door outside and install it in the thimble. If I push it into the pipe a little bit so it does not stick out into the chimney, I can leave it in when I brush the chimney, too. No smoke smell, no dust when brushing, no bees. :cheese:

I just need to be sure I remember to take it out at the start of the burning season!

 

[Wood Heat Stoves]

top sealing damper is the best option, but pricey

assuming the lower damper is gone ore broken????