Please help - fireplace smell days after burn, tried everything

[begreen]

That’s a really good thought. Unless balloon framed it’s not probable, but one of the problem areas for energy loss in capes are the open stud ends. Maybe you could get a convection current if things are just right?

Temporarily masking off the ceiling lights would be an inexpensive way to check.

 

[FPX Dude]

Get you a piece of thin painters plastic, I would hang this from ceiling in hallway and over areas I was suspecting and it would "suck" and stick to the void so I knew what to fix. I would tape and hang in various spots, wait a few moments for my air movement to settle it, then just watch to see it flowing, and move it to the next area. Anything like doors and windows kinda obvious, but it would help identify the culprit(s) if those are issues. Other areas I found were just simple electrical outlets, so put foam pads in those. HVAC registers, yes the tube is connected to the vent, but the gap around the vent was leaking, again foam pads. Next, was a WHF fan, the louvres vent is just a huge ~2sqft. hole in the ceiling, the slats would of course close, but nothing near air tight. Simple clear plastic and clear tape to seal that up for the winter. Another thing I would do was a simple lighter around small gaps and areas I was suspecting, just give it a fews secs and watch the flame dance. Yes, I had a home energy audit, blower door test and all, they found prior to me doing all this was like have a window wide open. Well, Mrs. FPX and fam all thought I was crazy, which I am, but in the end it really made a difference. Good luck sleuthing!!

 

[begreen]

Get you a piece of thin painters plastic, I would hang this from ceiling in hallway and over areas I was suspecting and it would "suck" and stick to the void so I knew what to fix. I would tape and hang in various spots, wait a few moments for my air movement to settle it, then just watch to see it flowing, and move it to the next area. Anything like doors and windows kinda obvious, but it would help identify the culprit(s) if those are issues. Other areas I found were just simple electrical outlets, so put foam pads in those. HVAC registers, yes the tube is connected to the vent, but the gap around the vent was leaking, again foam pads. Next, was a WHF fan, the louvres vent is just a huge ~2sqft. hole in the ceiling, the slats would of course close, but nothing near air tight. Simple clear plastic and clear tape to seal that up for the winter. Another thing I would do was a simple lighter around small gaps and areas I was suspecting, just give it a fews secs and watch the flame dance. Yes, I had a home energy audit, blower door test and all, they found prior to me doing all this was like have a window wide open. Well, Mrs. FPX and fam all thought I was crazy, which I am, but in the end it really made a difference. Good luck sleuthing!!

Taping a length of toilet paper to the ceiling or door threshold also works for seeing air currents.